Need Help with a Skittish/ Scared Puppy

[CitygirlR]

Hi everyone,
I don't know if this is the right place to ask for help ( Mods pls move it if it isn't ) but there is a homeless, starving, scared puppy that is wondering around my neighborhood & we need help to get her to come to us so that we can adopt her. I have been seeing her since christmas, wandering around looking for scraps & have wanted to adopt her for awhile now. I have 2 dogs of my own ( one's 14 & the other is 5 yrs old ) & my DH was initially opposed against getting another dog as we didn't want to risk my older dog getting sick from the stray puppy.

Anyways, I have finally talked him into adopting her but the problem is she is so scared she won't come to us. She takes off running if we make any sudden movements. We have been feeding her for the last few days and she will eat the food that we put down but she won't let us close enough to touch her or eat out of our hands. She always has her tail tucked tightly underneath her & we believe that she must have been abused as I have never seen a puppy so scared/ skittish of people in my life!

We have tried putting food in a crate to lure her in but she just barks at the crate & won't go in, my DH has tried dropping food behind him so that she will follow us home ( we live about 10 houses away from the woods that she has decided is her "home" ) but she follows him only half the way & then she turns to run back & there is a road with quite alot of traffic that she has to cross to get to the woods & I don't want to keep doing that as she might get hit by a passing car

We have tried bringing one of our dogs there to coax her to get closer but she just barks at him & runs off. We tried asking our vet for help but they told us to get animal control. For such a scared puppy, we really don't want to traumatize her more than she already is as I'm pretty sure animal control will just make her more scared of humans.

Does anyone know if I could give the puppy some sort of tranquilizer( sedative) in her food so that we can sedate her for alittle while ( just to get her home with us )? I think she's around 6 months old and maybe 25-30 lbs, looks like she's part shepard but more on the small side. Or any other ideas on how we might be able to get her to come to us?
Any advise or help will be much appreciated
TIA!
Regina

[ladyeeyore7]

My feeling is Animal Control may be a little traumatizing temporarily but they are better equiped to catch her. Better to get her to a safe location and then deal with any trauma that may result from that experience. I know that here animals are taken to the local non-profit shelter where they receive a physical exam and any shots needed. You could let animal control know that you want to adopt her and they may work with you on that.

[CitygirlR]

Thanks for your advise, ladyeeyore7
We are just worried that by letting animal control get the puppy & bringing her to the pound, she might get kennel cough & infect my dogs when we do bring her home. That's what happened when we adopted our 2nd dog , 5 yrs ago from the pound. He had not looked sick & they had told us that he had all his shots but after a few days with us, he got sick & infected my older dog. My older dog is now 14 yrs old & we really don't want her getting sick ( even if it is something minor like kennel cough ).

Our intention is to get her ( the puppy ) & bring her to the vet & for them to give her a check-up & whatever shots she needs before we bring her home to meet our 2 dogs.

I thought the hard part was to get my DH to agree to keep her & not in actually trying to get her to come to us! LOL

[daisydog215]

I agree with working with Animal Control and telling them your intent is to adopt the dog. The puppy should be checked out with a vet before being introduced to your other 2 dogs. Animal Control should be able to take the puppy to a local shelter or you can ask if they can take it straight to your vet's office for a check up.

[bugface711]

If animal control isnt an option for you I would say keep doing what you are doing. sounds like you are gaining her trust slowly but surely.
I would go plop myself down in her woods and plan to spend the day if you have the abililty to do so. get her used to you being there. keep offering treats and food. Hopefully she comes around! Where you dont know what kind of health issues she has, or if she will stay out of the road I wouldnt recommend trying to sedate her.

[CitygirlR]

Thanks for your advise too, daisydog215 & bugface711



I'm on my way out the door now but will check back later to see if anyone else has any more ideas or advise for me.

[katey66]

How is the pup doing? If she isn't trusting yet, give her lots of time. She is scared and probably confused. You will have to very slowly earn her trust. This may takes weeks or longer. Cook her some chicken, and give her small amounts far enough away from you that she is comfortable eating it, but you aren't in her "comfort" zone. Do this until she seems content with that distance. Then next time come in a foot or two toward her. It will take alot of time, but you will earn her trust. Just don't rush her. When you finally manage to get close to her, slowly extend your hand with food in it. Let her take her time taking it from you. She may run away the first few times. When you are this close to her, talk soothingly to her. You could also offer her some bits of cheese, hotdogs. Just about any people food will do. Dogs love cooked chicken and it's easy on their bellies. Just don't give onions. It is toxic to them. You could boil a little burger also. Good luck!!

[mama22qts]

OP, how's the baby doing? Any update?

[cherielynn09]

First off...how WONDERFUL of you & your DH to care so much about this little pup!!

I agree with bugface...about spending time in her habitat to get her used to your presence!!

I saw you posted that you were "headed out the door" to try this...
how did it work???

My heart goes out to little guys like this....cuz you KNOW they have been
abused...as most dogs are VERY social!!!

little kids and animals...that's my SORE spot when it comes to them being mistreated!!

Hope everything works out for you and your new little one!!!

Stay Blessed~~

Cherie

[katey66]

How is the little sweetie doing? Hope all has been ok. Just checking in to see.