Help with my dog

[giltteryange]

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Hello! My name's Angelika, I live in Poland and I have a really cute dog (Yorkshire Biewer) named Raselka. She's 3 years old. Last year, in September, my parents came back home from work with her. She's absolutely beautiful and I really love her. The problem is, she was taken from bad people. My mom told me that they didn't beat her, but they sure were bad for her. She's scared of everything and everyone, literally. She doesn't play. She doesn't eat ''hard'' food. And she's sleeping all the time, she's not even barking or making any sounds. I tried to teach my girl some tricks but nothing works. She won't sit on command, she won't lay on command. I don't know what to do. My mom says that my dog and I are the same - always sleeping, never having fun. Raselka actually acts like she's depressed or as if she had PTSD. I really want her to be happy, but I have no idea what can I do about it. Can someone help me with that, or is there no chance for her to act like most of the dogs do?

 

[Mad Murphy]

Hi there.. I had a dog called Oscar he was beaten and starved. When I got him he could barely stand but he recovered,he learned to play frisbee, he learned fetch, to play with other dogs, to swim, and to be a great friend but it took time.. A year is no time at all and it was at least that long before Oscar was back to full health so what Im saying is dont focus on tricks just let your dog recover, let them learn to trust you, let them learn you are not a bad person and wont let them down. The rest will come later.

 

[JoanneF]

The first thing I would suggest is a vet check to make sure it isn't a medical problem. Then, it may be that she is "shut down" - this is where dogs are so terribly afraid what will happen to them if they do something, that they choose to do nothing in the hope they will just be left alone (for the purists I know that is an oversimplification but I am guessing English may not be Angelika's first language, even though her post is very articulate). If that is the case, I suggest just building a bond with the dog before training anything - animals simply cannot learn when they are stressed. Every time you pass her, without making eye contact (eye contact is threatening for a dog), drop a tasty treat. If she approaches you, give her a tasty treat. Does she like contact, being stroked, or does she just tolerate it? Use the 5 second contact rule - if she initiates touch, stroke her for 5 seconds then stop. Only continue if she initiates more. Keep doing it as long as she asks, when she stops; you stop. That gives her the control and will help with confidence.

Once you have a solid bond, then you can move on to training. Look up Kikopup on YouTube for fabulous videos on how to train all sorts.

 

[giltteryange]

The first thing I would suggest is a vet check to make sure it isn't a medical problem. Then, it may be that she is "shut down" - this is where dogs are so terribly afraid what will happen to them if they do something, that they choose to do nothing in the hope they will just be left alone (for the purists I know that is an oversimplification but I am guessing English may not be Angelika's first language, even though her post is very articulate). If that is the case, I suggest just building a bond with the dog before training anything - animals simply cannot learn when they are stressed. Every time you pass her, without making eye contact (eye contact is threatening for a dog), drop a tasty treat. If she approaches you, give her a tasty treat. Does she like contact, being stroked, or does she just tolerate it? Use the 5 second contact rule - if she initiates touch, stroke her for 5 seconds then stop. Only continue if she initiates more. Keep doing it as long as she asks, when she stops; you stop. That gives her the control and will help with confidence.

Once you have a solid bond, then you can move on to training. Look up Kikopup on YouTube for fabulous videos on how to train all sorts.

Oh yes, she really likes contact, all she wants is her being stroked for the whole day and that's the only thing she shows some interest in.

 

[JoanneF]

Oh yes, she really likes contact, all she wants is her being stroked for the whole day and that's the only thing she shows some interest in.

Well, that is good. So maybe a vet check like I said then have a look at Kikopup to see some great training techniques!

 

[arealhuman]

Welcome Angelika and Raselka. You've come to the right place for good, friendly advice I'm a new-ish dog owner so haven't got any advice, other than to say taking it slowly seems to bew the best way forward. Some good advice already posted by @Mad Murphy and @JoanneF, no doubt more will follow. Please kepp us updated on your progress, and post some pics too

 

[JudyN]

As others have said, take it at her pace and let her personality emerge gradually - it doesn't really matter if she never learns to sit, or is never interested in toys, so make sure you don't feel that you need to achieve these.

I've just Googled some images of Yorkie Biewers - they are so pretty!!

 

[giltteryange]

Thank you for answering! It's really important to me, I really want my dog to be happy. I'll keep you guys updated and here's a photo of my girl!

 

[JudyN]

She's beautiful

 

[merlina]

She is beautiful! And lucky to have found a new home with good people. I agree with what others have said about giving her time. My rescue dog has been with us 5 years now and is still improving and learning to trust. One thing I've found really helps will sound strange. Ignore her more! Abused dogs find any human attention stressful. Don't speak to her too often, don't make too much eye-contact. Be close but not touching and make yourself calm- let her come to you and don't react to this immediately. It's a sort of de-sensitisation. All dogs know that if human beings aren't taking any notice of them nothing bad is likely to happen. Harsh on humans, I know, but generally true. Good luck with her.

 

[Flobo]

She is beautiful, I can only agree with all that has been said above. All my animals have been rescues and learning to be together after difficult experiences will just take time and understanding, tiny steps forward will be amazingly rewarding and make you smile from the inside out, sometimes it is a lifetimes work..

 

[Teddy560]

Can't really add to the great advice already given but just wanted to say she's sooo pretty x