Pet Patterdale/Hellish Time but I Do Love Her

[Scallywagmummy]

Hi.
Sadly my friend passed away a few weeks ago and her female patterdale has come to live with us permanently.
My friend was given the dog when she was a year and a few months old as the dog was then going to be pts by the previous owner. The dog already had all her problems when my friend took her on as I believe she had previously been caged as the previous owner possibly feared the dog would bite their kids.
So, my friend had the dog for 3+ yrs. before she passed and during this time the dog was allowed to do as she pleased, including jumping right up at your face and snapping, jumping all over the furniture and barking all the time. My friend never took the dog outside/she allowed her out in her private garden, as the dog is terrified outdoors, refuses to walk and even escaped her harness the other night.
Biggest problem with her is that, due to being fearful, she even refuses to go outside and if I do get her outdoors, she refuses point blank to walk.
I do love the wee soul but I'm despairing of ever being able to at least get her to walk.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would carry her or drive to the nearest grassy area and just start from there. Put her on the grass let her do her business and gradually build from there ?

 

[Dexter]

Save yourself a lot of heartache and get a behaviourist and vet involved. There is medication that can help alongside training.

 

[Scallywagmummy]

I would carry her or drive to the nearest grassy area and just start from there. Put her on the grass let her do her business and gradually build from there ?

Yes, I'm just after doing that this morning, thanks. She walked just a little but only in the direction SHE wanted to go.
I have had some wee successes with her in the time she's been with us, like she knows barking indoors, jumping, snapping, going up on the sofa are all not allowed although she can 'forget' sometimes (she's generally stopped the snapping, though).
It's the mostly refusing to walk outdoors that has me tearing my hair out....I have to carry her outside.
Also, even indoors, she only responds to calling her name when it suits her.
She is very loving and sweet and loves me to pick her up for a cuddle, but I am at the end of my rope with the refusing to walk.

 

[Barton Bounty]

She will get used to it the more she does it ? Its a lot of adjusting for her too, being thrust into a new home, patience is the key

 

[Scallywagmummy]

Thanks Dexter. It is heartache....I love her but as it stands, I truly can barely cope with her.
I had been thinking of involving a dog behaviourist....she has a will of iron. I thought I could work things out with her on my own but I think we need professional help before I lose my sanity.
She's been vet checked and is healthy. Is there a short term med or supplement that could calm her for training? Thanks

 

[Dexter]

Theres lots of options for medication, but they do need really focused training alongside. Your vets should be able to advise and they usually have a behaviourist they work with.

Dont despair, with the right help you will get this sorted. Its obvious how much you care about the dog. Shes lucky to have you.

 

[tda]

Poor little thing, set her to work, these little terriers thrive on exercise and work, anything, some obstacles, scent training
Hope she settles with you soon

 

[Scallywagmummy]

Thank you Dexter.
I won't give up on he. She's had a very hard life to date....terrorised by young children with the owner who had her before my friend. And she has been traumatised by spending hours alone with her owner (my friend) when she had passed away in her bed just 4 wks. ago.....wee dog has been through a lot.
I will speak with my vet.

 

[Scallywagmummy]

Barton Bounty....thanks.
I will try to have more patience with her. As you say, she needs time to adjust to the huge upheaval she has had. I can't even tell if she's grieving for my friend. She's eating well and playing ball, so I have to hope she's not heartbroken.

 

[bonny]

Might be a good idea to ask admin to move this thread to the dog section where you will get a lot more answers. Sorry to hear about your friend’s death and the problems you are having with her dog. Hope you can get some help.

 

[Scallywagmummy]

Thanks bonny. I will contact admin.

 

[skinnydipper]

My friend never took the dog outside/she allowed her out in her private garden, as the dog is terrified outdoors, refuses to walk and even escaped her harness the other night.
Biggest problem with her is that, due to being fearful, she even refuses to go outside and if I do get her outdoors, she refuses point blank to walk.

Please ignore the suggestion to carry the dog/drive to an another area, putting her down and letting her sink or swim. Forcing a fearful dog to confront its fears is terrible advice. It is called flooding, an outdated technique which could backfire and exacerbate the problem.

When she has settled in and feels safe with you, use counter conditioning, desensitisation and positive reinforcement to change her emotional response to the situation or thing that she fears.

If you are out of your depth please ask your vet to refer your dog to a veterinary behaviourist to guide you in the best way forward.

 

[SilverLinings]

Skinny dipper has given excellent advice, and it sounds like the dog has landed on her feet with you taking such care to make her happy and teach her acceptable behaviour.

If she likes playing fetch can you play in the kitchen/hallway with the door into the garden open, and once the game has got going throw the ball a little way outside the door for her to retrieve? You would need to do it in a way that didn't make it a big deal to her, hence getting her involved in the game indoors before throwing the ball outside. If she is happy with that then maybe alternate indoor/outdoor throws for the rest of the game, and every time after that that you play with her increase the number and distance of outdoor throws until you have eased both of you out into the garden. It is still another step before she will enjoy walks, but it would at least help her to see that being outdoors is fun.

The 'All About Dogs' page on this forum is probably the best place for you to post in future as there are lots of experienced dog owners/trainers on there. I hope that your life with her starts to get easier soon.