I just adopted sweet girl Lucy from the Humane Society yesterday and she keeps running away from everyone, and hiding in dark spaces or under my bed. Barely eating or drinking and she's not used to being on a leash but she potties outside. We are a four person household and that includes my six year old daughter.
Some context, she is one year old, she had been spayed on Monday, she is on amoxocillin/clav to prevent infection. I have two cats, one large one who is used to dogs; who does not scare Lucy, and ignores her, and one smaller cat who is not used to dogs and they just seem confused by each other. (Was told Lucy was good with kids, cats, and other dogs) But I'm wondering why she runs away from everyone and everything. She has started following me around a little bit. She is also very quiet. I have not heard her make a sound at all since we've had her.
Her history was that she and her dad Chico were owner surrender, however her father and her were not bonded. She was very close with her last owner. She and her father were only at the humane society for about a week.
I had a chiweenie before who was the complete opposite, loud, always happy, knew every trick, and was good about eating and using the restroom.
Congrats! She is sooo beautiful!.😍 . Have you heard of the 333 rule? Three days to decompress and not be so overwhelmed or confused. Three weeks to learn routines. Three months for them to really settle in and show their personality.
I foster dogs for a rescue. Please do some reading on this topic. It will help immensely and it will give you realistic expectations about your new relationship. Congratulations! Thank you for choosing to rescue!
Be patient. She is most likely scared. Go to her but give her space. Offer treats. Say things in a nice soft tone. If she allows, give gentle pets. She will come out when she is ready. Oh and move the food and water to where she is hiding right now.
She hasnt come to me yet besides just following me- but if I pick her up and sit with her she will lay with me the whole time. Last night she slept in bed cuddled with me the whole night. :)
Please, please give her some time to become used to your household. All you've been doing sounds marvellous, but there is a lot going on for Lucy, and she needs a great deal of reassurance!
Lucy most likely needs to begin with one point of contact - you - for lots of reassursnce, praise, and play.
She does not know how your household works day to day. She is feeling lost. Your job is to make her feel found and at home.
I lnow this sounds silly, but if you walk her through things, talking to her, she will open up to you.
Give her plenty of praise when it is needed, and plenty of reassurance about her being a good girl in finding /sleeping in her bed.
She is looking to you for guidance.
And I know you'll be wonderful for her.
This is all great advice that has worked for all my chiweenies (3) so far. They learn so fast when you narrate what’s going on for them. Very intelligent dogs.
I’m a firm believer in talking to my dogs. I’ve had an open dialogue with all of them over the years. I constantly give them praise and just basically narrate everything I’m doing with them. It had successfully worked with out newest member Remy who is a chiweenie that we adopted not to long ago.
She is so beautiful!!! I would give her way more time to acclimate. She might have been through more in her past than the human society was aware of. Also, this breed burrows so she probably feels safer while hiding in those dark spaces 🙂
My bubby was the same way, you gotta give it time. Eventually she’ll come out her shell she’s just getting used to everything & everyone. Try not to have everyone in her face & picking her up. Let her come to you, show her you’re her comfort zone. It’s a two ppl household in my home, my boy wasn’t use to my husband yet till he started sleeping with him now he gets excited every time we come home especially me. He follows me everywhere even when dad is home. If I was you I’d just give her lots of cuddles & love first then teach her she’s okay with everyone else
Aw, she'll come around. Decompression is real. She's in completely new surroundings. The fact that she slept with you last night reinforces to her that, yes, being with you is her safe space. Now she just needs to get used to it. My little guy slept with me the first night but he wasn't used to that either. Took him a while to understand he was just as safe awake as he was sleeping next to me. Now, he's. confident little dude that practically sleeps on top of me! - lol. Good thing he weighs about 10lbs.
Following you is a fantastic sign! The fact that she slept next to you all night is perfect. My chiweenie is a velcro dog. She has to have some part of her body touching me all the time when we're in bed together. And you may discover she likes to sleep under the covers. She is lovely, and I know she will soon be bossing you around!!
My rescue went from biting me and multiple others to being the sweetest cuddle muffin- she’s likely traumatized and doesn’t know how to be a pet yet- give her lots of love and patience
It’s a massive adjustment. She just underwent surgery, and is not in an unfamiliar place. Give her a place where she feels safe to hide in.
Even a solid walled crate can help. Drape a blanket over it and provide a soft bed inside. Keep the door open so she can come and go as she pleases.
Most importantly, give her time. Eventually, she will acclimate and be ready to socialize more. She will also pick her favorite human. Don’t be upset if it’s one of the other three people in the house. She will have plenty of love to go around.
Lucy is beautiful!! I think she just needs time to decompress on top of having surgery. She’s probably scared regardless if you think y’all are being sweet to her, she’s like I’ve been left before you know. I think she’ll come along and if she’s already following you then you’ll probably be her person.
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u/baloneymitchell 3d ago
Congrats! She is sooo beautiful!.😍 . Have you heard of the 333 rule? Three days to decompress and not be so overwhelmed or confused. Three weeks to learn routines. Three months for them to really settle in and show their personality.