[Rooksiee]

Thank you all for responding to my sister (Harleydog) who told you about our rescue dog Gabby (2 year-old Norweigen Elkhound) who had been beat and neglected...she is in rough shape psychologically and trust is slowwwww.

I have a specific question about where she spends her time. She has been with us in her new home for 2 weeks. Now that she is familiar with the rooms, she tends to only come out from the basement or our bedroom during the day, if we go in and get her then shut the doors. It is dark and quiet and comfy in those to rooms - she feels safe there but...she sleeps all day and night!! (She is also battling depression from having her 8 pups taken from her a few weeks ago after being with them 24/7 for 10 months.)

While her progress is slow, she is making small advances in walking around the house and coming towards us moire often when we call her (not running away to hide). She will accept a belly rub when she is very relaxed. She hates the car noise outside and she still has not set foot in the kitchen...

My question is - is it better to have her around us during the day ...i.e in my office while I am working, in the kitchen with us when we eat or visit, outside with us....or is it better for her to let her just rest in the dark rooms where she is comfortable during the day while she adjusts to our home. She is terribly shy and untrusting. She seems to relax if we leave her to her own accord. What is the right balance? Any suggestions? thanks all.

[CorkyMax]

Not an expert on dog behavior but would like to offer a few suggestions--and you be the judge! But first will quote some info from my book about breeds. Although it is totally silent while tracking, the Elkhound is perhaps the most "talkative" dog of all. It has a whole vocabulary of sounds, each with a different meaning, and you will soon learn to recognize its way of telling you there are strangers about. (Of course your abused baby is not going to act like the normal average Elkhound but thought you might like to get some ideas on how to proceed, etc by knowing the breed's characteristics.) Temperment: While gentle and devoted to its owner, the Elkhound needs consistent training that is firm but never harsh. Although adaptable, it likes a set routine. And in a separate 'box' called Pet Facts: Fearless, intelligent, good-tempered; needs regular brushing; Regular, vigorous exercise; Adapts to urban living, but needs plenty of exercise; Good watchdog ----BE AWARE: Their thick coats require a lot of grooming.--With extra care when the dog is shedding its dense undercoat. At this time, the dead hair clings to the new hair and must be removed with a rubber brush designed for the task. Bathing is largely unnecessary. (unquote)
-----The words above 'likes a set routine' keeps going through my mind and I am wondering if you should not let the dog stay off by its self all day long. It might become a set habit that will be even harder to break later. And also the fact that she is depressed because of not having her puppies--Will leaving her alone make this matter worse? I think she needs some distraction and some loving gentle company to help her through this. Is your office pretty private--like mainly only you and no visitors (clients)? If so, I would think having her in there a good part of the day and not doting too much on her at first---Let her get comfortable with having you there but not too doting at first--no stress on her. Take her outside for a little while too--Would think it would be healthier physically and mentally to get her outside in some sunshine and not in a dark room and she needs some exercise. Use treats---Give a belly rub--Do something that she will like if you can. Do you have a friend that has a puppy---Maybe your dog would like having a puppy around at times too---Maybe borrow the puppy for an hour or so a day. And do things the same time and pretty much the same place everyday. Remember Elkhounds like a set routine. Lol, I suppose this is out of the question but if you had another dog--mainly a puppy for her to identify with and have as 'her puppy' it would probably help too. And if you thought about doing that--You could borrow a pup and see how she responds to it.

All in all--Do it slowly but I just have this feeling that in order to stay healthy--your dog needs more than just laying in a dark basement all day!