Gillyahoo asked:
Our rescue dog is so sweet and she is coming out of her shell day by day. She was an ex breeder though and so had no idea of normal dog things – like a walk, or food or sit, playing etc. Now walks great on a lead, plays, waves (!), understands food etc. She is still a bit scared though- what is the best way to house train her as she cowers easily. I am out at work 3 hours a day in school terms.
Our rescue dog is so sweet and she is coming out of her shell day by day. She was an ex breeder though and so had no idea of normal dog things – like a walk, or food or sit, playing etc. Now walks great on a lead, plays, waves (!), understands food etc. She is still a bit scared though- what is the best way to house train her as she cowers easily. I am out at work 3 hours a day in school terms.
Crate train her, and keep her in the crate when you are at work. Shy, nervous dogs especially benefit from having a crate as their safety zone
Hire a gentle trainer that you know will treat her with respect, and understand. It will be okay,sometimes these things are nessacary. And if you don’t have time to teach, hire someone who does! good luck hun
Plenty of encouragment will bring her on , keep treats in ur pocket and when she does something you tell her to , give her one . good luck hun x
Hire a trainer. Make sure he is patient and kind. Bless you for saving this dog.
crate her for the three hours you are gone. that might help. Give her treats and toys on her way into the crate and i usually put and old blanket or towel down….incase they *** or chew it. and my rescue dog loves it and NO ACCIDENTS. i also wanted to mention i have another dog who roams free in the house and neither dog is bothered by the fact that one is crated and one isnt. Hopefully some day he will be able to stay out of the crate when i leave.
I agree with crate training. Make her crate a safe little den with toys, treats, etc. Keeping to a regular schedule and using lots of praise for every success work well with our rescues. If you have more than one dog, be sure she is getting lots of individual attention and walk just her for now. Here are some websites with some good tips: and
Thank you for rescuing this angel, after what she has been through she will come around once she starts feeling securely away from her past and give you years of love and companionship…Good Luck!
Patience, reward and more patience. We have a 7yr old Besion Frise rescue dog , he was very timid and would mess every night, but time and patience have paid off and he now is the best, most affectionate dog you could wish for.
We still get the occasional accident, once every few weeks or so, But we can put up with that.
Good Luck and be patient
If your dog responds to food rewards, try this;
Use the same words every time you want her to potty, ie.. Out go *** Then take her out to ONE potty place. Always take her to the same place, that way the smell is signal to do her thing.
When she’s at the potty place say the potty words again, ei Out go ***.. After she has done her potty business, use praise and say ei..GOOD, Out go *** and give her a treat. The food will re-enforce what you are trying to teach.
Hope this helps.
We have trained all of our dogs this way.
watch the dog whisperer on sky i,ve had a few dogs and thought i knew how to train a dog . but cesar millan puts it in to a whole new perspective. he has a web site to its quite helpful.