A Very Needy Dog

[hauckeye]

We adopted a rescue dog 2 weeks ago. She is a hound-pointer mix, 2.5 years old, about 50 pounds. She matched up well with what we wanted in a dog, but dang, she is clingy/needy. She doesn't seem interested in playing with toys or chewing on a Nylabone like our previous dog did. She just constantly rotates among the 3 humans in the house, putting her head in our lap, then her paws, then trying to climb into our laps, which of course she is too big to do. I do walk her 2-3 times a day, for a total of 1-2 miles. We also have play sessions. I would really like her to play/chew by herself in the same room so I can enjoy a book without her constant need for attention. We are retired so are home all the time. Our yard is not fenced so we can't put her outside except on a tie-out.

When the weather improves, I will take her to a dog park, and we may also take her to a nearby dog day care occasionally so she can get more active play and socialization. Any other suggestions?

[sazemisery]

1. Give it a bit more time

Some rescues take to their new home immediately while others take time to decompress. She probably thinks she is dreaming that she has such a good life now compared to whatever her life was before. Time will convince her she is in her forever home and she will become more comfortable.

[SheltieLover]

2. Agreed!

Also, maybe a rope chewie, bully sticks, tennis ball might give her something to do.

[BigmanPigman]

3. Don't rush it...

She has had a very, very rough life. She is trying to adapt. Think of her as an orphan refugee. She is scarred emotionally and mentally. Give her time. Each dog is different, especially rescued dogs. Give her love, allow her to come out of her shell and over time everyone will be well adjusted and happier.

[Beastly Boy]

4. A dog park should help a lot.

And I wouldn't let her climb onto your lap. Her place is by your side, not on top of you.

[Dr. Shepper]

5. There is a rule of 3 for rescue/shelter pups

https://amp.newportri.com/amp/113723376

3 Days: In the first 3 days after your new dog comes home, he is likely to feel overwhelmed with all the changes and may be scared. He might not want to eat or drink and may just curl up in his crate or hide somewhere and that is okay. Patience and setting them up for success is vital during this time period. Be sure to give them time to get comfortable and more familiar with their surroundings and routine.

3 Weeks: After about 3 weeks, your dog will start to settle into his new home. He will feel more comfortable and start to figure out his new environment. He will get into a routine (don’t forget, you need to help with that!), and start to show you his true personality. Of course, that can have drawbacks and if your dog has any behavioral concerns, they will tend to manifest around this time. At the 3-week mark, we always suggest this would be a good time to invest in some training classes or private training so any unwanted habits can be worked on and overcome.

3 Months: After 3 months, your dog should be settled into their routine and feel completely comfortable in his or her new home. They should be developing trust in you and gaining a sense of security with their new family. And don’t forget brushing up and continuing to work on new tricks or skills is always a good way to continue to build your bond and keeping them mentally stimulated.

But - every dog is different and it took our pups about 9 months to be finally settled. They came from a hoarding situation with 60 other dogs and has no clue how to interact with humans.

[applegrove]

6. Can you get pheromone dog spray at the pet store that will make them feel secure until

they develop new routines and independance?

[msdogi]

7. give her more time

she's new to a place that wants her, she needs lots of reassurance that she's in her forever home. I adopted a year old lab mix several months ago who had been in multiple fosters and an adoption that didn't work. She took almost two months to really be comfortable and sure she was safe. Sounds like you're doing all the right things, she'll settle down and be a happy part of your family

[AndyS]

8. Post 5. Dr Shepper has it nailed.

After a few months your rescue will gain confidence and when this happens you will know you've arrived:


At this point the only thing that excites her is the possibility that I or her dog Jack are being threatened. I'm glad we don't have black bears here 'cause I don't know how to dispose of a dead black bear . . .

Give us timely updates. We can't save them all so it's very heartwarming to save more of them even if it's vicariously.

[Paha Sapa]

9. She is just a (shedding)rug that breathes

Hey Andy. Member previously posting as Rocky Racoon here. I changed because there are two active posters named Rocky and Raccoon, with the latter actually spelled it correctly. Man, what a brain fart. I love your Pyr. That pix and what you have told us about her tells me she is almost all GP. Not a better critter made, bar none (sorry Jack). I look forward to hearing progress reports. After all, she is a DU dog. Thanks, sir.

[gopiscrap]

12. welcome to DU

[Paha Sapa]

13. Thanks.

Lurked for many a year. Now a Star member. I probably won't post a ton. I tend to get too wordy and snarky at times.

[Random Boomer]

10. Patience, patience

Rescue dogs can have a very checkered emotional past, with neglect and abuse leaving some scars. Give her lots of love and ease off any expectations while she settles in. It can take months for her to adjust.

Many years ago we took in a Scottie rescue who hadn't been abused, but he had been basically ignored (left out in the backyard) for years. Every evening for an entire year, he would beg to be cuddled and then fall asleep in my arms. Then one day he stopped. He'd finally reached a point where that need for reassurance was filled.

Our current hound rescue was friendly, but aloof when we adopted her. She would spend all her indoor time in a dog bed upstairs, never with us down in the living room. Over the course of three years, she has learned to trust us and spend more time in our company. She will now actually come up and ask for petting, rather than just tolerating it. (From what little we know of her, she was probably kenneled full-time and used for breeding purposes. She had to learn what being a pet dog meant.)

Also for comparison, neither of our two hounds were interested in toys. One had a food obsession (due to abuse and starvation), so she chewed EVERYTHING in the house (nylabones, brushes, vacuum cleaner attachments, pencils, telephone, stray blocks of wood, stones) but the other hound has never chewed on toys or bones. She's all about the smells at the local dog park, not the play. AFTER she's finished sniffing the entire perimeter and criss-crossed through the center, THEN she'll look up to see if there are any other dogs around to play with.

Part of the joy of rescue ownership is finding out what's in the surprise package!

[hauckeye]

11. Thank you, that's great advice!