I’ve always had dogs and dealt with tough rescues, but this is my first time adopting an older pet. He spent the first 6 years tied outside with hundreds of other dogs, then the next three in a kennel that didn’t help him learn social skills. We brought him home 2 months ago, and this is his first time living as a pet after 9 years.
He’s a gentle and sweet dog but so scared of everything, even my partner. He gets so afraid that he pees and shakes if my partner tries to take him out of the house while I’m there.
He’s had many stomach problems because he eats anything in sight except his own food.
He has a lot of toys and stuffies he loves but doesn’t know how to play with them.
We also think he’s almost completely deaf and partly blind.
He shows many signs of a life of poor care and not being mentally stimulated.
I know it will take time for him to feel safe, but I’d love some words of encouragement from anyone who has been through something similar. Also, any advice on building his confidence and helping him stay mentally active would be great!
Tully said:
Do you know anyone with a calm and gentle dog? Sometimes other dogs can help them learn faster than humans.
Thank you for giving this pup a loving home Good luck!
I agree. My second dog is a rescue and was abused before. He was scared of everything, even the doors at my house. When I brought him home, my older dog helped him feel at ease. It wasn’t easy, but it worked. Now, he even helps me train my new rescue.
@Ali
That’s so true. My older collie helped my rescue dachshund learn how to be a dog. Later, she taught my young mastiff how to be a good indoor dog and how to play with smaller pets. Older dogs really do help with socializing puppies and other scared dogs.
I don’t own dogs, but I have had elderly ferrets that came with their own issues. One had food anxiety, another had severe fear of leaving the house and was blind.
Go slow with him. What might seem small to you is a big deal for him. He needs to learn that love, cuddles, and food are always there for him. Food insecurity can take a while to go away. Feed him in a safe place and try to be consistent.
Toys might never interest him. Walks, new smells, and experiences with lots of reassurance can help. We were lucky that one of our ferrets helped the other find confidence. We slowly gave him more space to explore, even without sight, and he started to trust more.
Try asking at a local rescue center. Maybe there’s a Facebook group for his breed? Look up tips on socializing older dogs.
Take him outside often and say something like ‘no potty inside.’ Be consistent and don’t punish. Maybe add puppy pads. Try to take him out before guests arrive and right when they come in. Praise him when he goes outside.
You might want to look into working with a behaviorist. Many rescue centers have them, and if money is tight, some offer sliding scale fees.
My neighbor has a rescue with a similar story. With six months of treatment and a lot of patience, they managed to turn him into a happy and social dog.
My husband and I have taken in a few cats who were also not well socialized. Time and patience do wonders. One thing that worked for us was talking or singing to them. I’d sit with our shyest cat and talk to her in a soft voice or make up silly songs. I’d read to her out loud or talk about what was on TV. She got used to my voice and learned to relax.
This helped her find a sense of comfort and was a kind of mental stimulation. It also gave her time to learn how to play a bit. She now sleeps deeply and even snores. It’s so healing for animals who’ve lived in fear for so long.
@Bay
I love thinking about adopted pets finally finding peace and comfort. It must be such a relief for them to live in a place full of love, food, and safety.
I just got a dog that wasn’t well socialized and had been trained to chase cats, which I now have 3 of after one passed away last week. I played calming music for dogs that I found on YouTube. It was slow progress, but she’s definitely improving. She even shared her food bowl with my sick cat, being gentle with her.
The calming dog music helps everyone stay relaxed, even me. I found cat calming music didn’t work at all. It’s worth trying. Thank you for giving him a safe and loving home. Good luck!
Good luck!
All I can say is be patient! Tell your partner to go very slowly with him; he’ll start to trust over time.