Nora, our Lucky Star Rescue is here!

[Lynn]

We have adopted a Lucky Star Rescue named Nora.

What a sweet 6 year old girl!! She arrived last night and is very scared still but seems to love Molly & Maxwell already. She has the biggest 'Doe eyes' and unfortunately there is a deep saddness in those eyes.

Here is her Lucky Star page:
http://www.luckystarcavalierrescue.o...ail=yes&id=377

I THOUGHT I was prepared for how scared she was going to be coming to a new home, but I wasn't. She only had a month with her foster mum and she had 6 long years in a puppy mill.

If anyone has some advice on how to get a rescue to 'come' that would be so helpful! Last night we put Nora, Molly & Max out in the fenced yard to potty and play....then we could NOT get Nora to come to go back inside. We tried luring her with a cookie, she took it out of my hand, but was too scared to walk through the gate to come inside. It was super cold out and after close to a half hour of trying my dh & son had to corner her and pick her up. We hated doing it, but it was getting too cold and she had been outside too long by then. I do NOT want to have to corner her and force her to be picked up again unless it cannot be helped. Today is supposed to be extremely cold, so I will put her in a Puppia and keep her on a leash to take her to potty.

We are thrilled that our Nora is home.

[Barbara Nixon]

I've never had a timid rescue, but this is what I would do :

When indoors, sit on the floor with some treats, so you are not towering above her, and let her approach for a treat. When she's happy with this, introduce the words ' Nora, come' as she approaches. Give her a treat and quiet praise for doing so.

Extend to sitting on a low chair, then standing. Then standing fiurther away.

[Cathy Moon]

Oh she looks like a sweetie pie, congratulations!

I like Barbara's idea, and your idea of keeping her on a leash outside.

Hopefully she'll come inside willingly on her leash. You could lure her with food while she's on the leash. If she doesn't go for that, I would try handing her a high value treat as I scoop her up to carry her inside.

I read her story on Lucky Star. Do you know how she was rescued from the Amish puppy mill? Was she bought at one of their dog auctions?

[Nancy]

Those are really good ideas, I've had some Lucky Star fosters for a short time, and the best advice I got was to let them be. They need to adjust and feel safe, and will come around in their own time. Definately use a leash for the outside problem. I had one that wouldn't move off the couch. I even fed her there. She did go out , but came back in, and on the couch she went. She would let me sit there with her.After 2 days of this, I was doing work in my office at the other end of the house. I had a little visitor come see where I was, it was so cute.

[jazz]

First of all--that's so wonderful--she looks beautiful! We just adopted two Lucky Star boys two weeks ago today (Maguire & Crockett). One we couldn't get to go outside and one wouldn't come back in, but the suggestions you've already been given worked for us. The leash worked wonders--now I don't even have to use it. I'm learning it's just time and patience--letting them learn to trust. Your little girl sounds a little more timid so it might take a bit more time, but she'll come around. It'll be so rewarding watching her transformation!

[CavyMom]

I've had many scared, timid puppy mill dogs come into my rescue, and each one is a little different on what's needed to reach them, but love, time, patience, and good treats are a great way to start! If you can find a good trainer that uses positive reinforcement, that's also a great way to bring a scared, timid dog around. Another tip - as hard as it's going to be, do NOT pay any attention to her when she's acting scared. I know that sounds cruel, but it's only enforcing the behavior. What I do is when they're acting scared, I patiently wait for them to calm down, and as soon as they do, I give them a treat or a cuddle or what ever works for that dog.

[Karlin]

Lynn, that's fantastic! She will also learn very quickly from the pattern of your own dogs -- she just needs to get to know them well enough that she is reassured by their presence. For now, as noted, I'd only take her out on a leash. I would not try training her to do anything for about two weeks at least -- she is overwhelmed as is and it is just too much I think to add in training right away. Tara usually leaves my puppy farm fosters to settle in for 2-3 weeks before trying them out to see if they know any commands, then starting gently to teach things.

[Rosewoodsteel]

Those are really good ideas, I've had some Lucky Star fosters for a short time, and the best advice I got was to let them be. They need to adjust and feel safe, and will come around in their own time. Definately use a leash for the outside problem. I had one that wouldn't move off the couch. I even fed her there. She did go out , but came back in, and on the couch she went. She would let me sit there with her.After 2 days of this, I was doing work in my office at the other end of the house. I had a little visitor come see where I was, it was so cute.

Nancy,
I totally agree with you.
If she's left alone, she will come around in her own time.
Years ago, my wife brought home an abused beagle, Pokie, and he hid under our chest of drawers for over a week. He didn't relate to anyone or anything. When he was ready, he started sneaking out of the room, poking his nose around the corner (hence the name).
I finally suggested to my wife that she take him outside (which she thought was a very terrible idea at the time). After around 10 minutes in the yard, Pokie started following Jody everywhere.
They bonded from that point on....
Pokie was never normal, but he was our little guy for years.
-It's so sad to see the impact abuse has on animals.

[Daisy's Mom]

Congratulations! Bless you for giving such a sweet, scared girl a good home!

We have been talking about adopting a rescue Cavalier or a Cavalier needing rehoming. We even inquired about one on Cavalier Rescue USA, but she was too timid for our house. Since we have kids (7 and 9), and Daisy is VERY playful, we need a less fearful dog. We are in no hurry, but of course I check all the rescue sites online about 10 times a day. We are waiting for just the right dog who is a good fit all the way around. I do think Daisy really would be happier with a doggy playmate.

It sounds like everyone has great advice for you. I just wanted to congratulate you and ask you to post pictures! I know all the Lucky Star dogs by name because I hang out on that site so much! They seem to have lots of beautiful dogs in the NE lately. Every time I see one that I think I want to inquire about lately, it says they will place them only in the Northeast. So you're very lucky to be in the right place to get Nora! Are you planning on changing her name?

I've done a little transport volunteering and some short-term fostering for Lucky Star. They are such wonderful, devoted people! It's amazing the lengths they go to to help these dogs. It kind of restores my faith in humans knowing there are people like this out there!

Good luck to you and Nora!

[frecklesmom]

When Freckles came i used a long training leash (20 ft.) when he was outside so he could get his running and still I'd be able to make contact with him. I rescued that leash from everything in its path as he spent days running as hard as he could-oh,freedom! I kept a leash on in the house (short one) or I couldn't get near him-he was so untrusting and straight from mill to ASPCA-no foster.