Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 11/7/2006

Question
My daughter recently adopted a 4 mo old terrier mix puppy from a Pet Rescue center in north FL. The puppy and her sister were found deep in the woods of Georgia by a forest ranger  who brought them to his wife's pet rescue . This pup needed special one on one attention . They were both obviously terribly neglected and abused but she seemed to be worse. The other bounced back - runs up to folks, runs around the place - seems very happy. My new granddog is very cuddly, but almost NEVER walks around the house on her own -  She prefers to hide in her crate. She does like sleeping with my daughter in her bed. She tends to hide her face when placed in your lap. I would have been very worried for the pup but my daughter takes her to the dog park at least 5 times a week to play . And she plays well with the other dogs . She runs along with all the big dogs but plays the omega dog well by dropping to her belly every now and then. But she seems very happy & content at the park . She runs up to all the owners and sits at their feet and allows then to pet her . I am just worried about her at the house . She has been there for almost 3 weeks  and is still hiding in the crate. They(my daughter and her boyfriend)  recently moved the crate to a closed room when they are home so that she gets use to them . She is already spoiled by both . They both show her lots of attention (can you spoil a puppy ?) It has been easy to house train - they take her out , she does her business and then can't wait to get back in to her crate. But they also don't want to upset her by moving the crate out of her site. DO you think that they are moving in the right direction?
worried Grandmom


Answer
Dear Judy,
Thanks for the question. It's nice of you to help!

Here's how I understand the situation, in a nutshell -  the pup (I'll call her Callie)is normal at the park and exhibits normal approach behaviors towards people and normal play behaviors with other dogs. Callie hides in her crate, NEVER explores her inside environment.
Although I can size up a situation very quickly when I am on-site - (because I perform all the tests or experiments), I cannot when I am on-line!  Please answer each question, post a follow-up and I will be more than happy to help you help them. Thank you.

Please perform the necessary "experiments" to gather more information. Assumptions about Callie's responses in specific situations are not helpful. (smile)

We need to determine exactly which component(s) of the inside, home environment are the contributing factors to her abnormal behaviors.

Does Callie ever come out of the crate on her own?

If so, under what circumstances? How far will she venture outside of her crate? when non-house members (NHM)visit, when other dogs visit, when NHM (without dogs) visit, when NHM (with dogs) visit, when her people are present, when her people are absent? when her people are absent and NHM (without dogs)are present, when her people are absent and NHM (with dogs) are present, when other dogs are present and her people are present - absent?

What does (or would) she do if they get on the floor, place her on the floor - five feet away from her crate, next to them (as in touching their body)? ten feet away from the crate, 15 feet away from the crate, in the next room?

We need to determine exactly what component(s) of the outside, dog park environment are the contributing factors to her normal behaviors.

Is it the fact that other dogs are nearby? Is it the fact that different people are nearby? Is is the fact that she is outside of a building? or a specific building

At home- outside in the yard -with no other dogs present. . . .  Does Callie interact with her people in the same, normal manner which she interacts with people at the dog park?

At home- outside in the yard - with other dogs present. . .  Does Callie interact with her people in the same, normal manner which she interacts with people at the dog park?

When at the dog park with other dogs present - Does Callie interact with her people in the same, normal manner which she interacts with strangers at the dog park?

Inside the house-with strangers (non-house members) present and her people absent - Does Callie interact with the strangers?  

Where does Callie eat?

How often is Callie fed?

What exactly does she eat?

Will Callie eat a treat outside of her crate?

Will she eat a treat inside her crate?

Does she cautiously enter her crate or "race" inside?

Will Callie come to the front of her crate when people approach her crate?

Is the crate door generally open or closed when she is inside?

Does Callie prefer to crouch or ball up in the corner of her crate?

Does Callie like any toys. . if so which ones?. .  chew toys, soft toys, squeaky toys, balls?

Will she play with people (inside the house)if they are on the floor?

Will Callie approach the people (inside the house) if they are on the floor?

How does Callie get into the bed, on their laps? via her own muscles or is she constantly carried about?
 
Exactly what have they done to try and get Callie to "come out of her shell"? What were the immediate results of those efforts?

Exactly what do they do when Callie exhibits fearful or "lack of approach" behavior?

You say she is spoiled- exactly what does Callie do or exactly what do they do that indicates she is spoiled or that they are spoiling her. Exactly what does "spoiled" mean to you?

I await your follow-up.
AT