First day/Oct 21, 07
Way cool, Kady did a sleepover with us at the hotel and it went really well……so she came home with us. Pam, Molly, dobie and myself. It was a really good 400 mile ride. Kady did great and molly and dobie did ok………pam and I were worn out but we survived and got home. Things going really well in the yard and then she got scared by more then a couple of things and went into her corner, wall spot and has pretty much been there ever since. I slept on the couch, with Kady in her wall spot and molly and dobie on top of me on the couch. Believe it or not, we call got some ok sleep and made it to Monday.

Oct 22, 07
Monday kind of sucked, she was scared all the time and well I was worried about her going on the rug some place. I am better about that today and we are all on rescue remedy….ha ha ha. Need to remember to put in everyones food and water. Even me!
Dobie going nuts and barking at the neighbor dog is a huge problem, scares her everytime. She slept in the laundry room with her bed and all will be fine.

Oct 23, 07
Sleeping in the laundry room worked great, we all got sleep and I needed it. Took her out this morning by herself and she did good with the peeing but I brought her back in too soon and she pooped on the carpet. Lesson learned, we stay out longer in the mornings. Sen email to Chandra and called her too. She gave me a good idea and also gave me the name of the trainer to talk to. Talking to her helped, even she said she almost gave up after a couple of days. I feel very well over my head, under educated and very inadequate.

Email sent morning of Oct. 24.



Good Morning Pat!!
I am lisa sayler and adopted Cookie last weekend and as I told Chandra yesterday, I am feeling very inadequate and under educated for this little darling. She gave me your email, name and number and will probably call later today as well. She said you were a great help to her and I should chat with you as well. Today’s questions are about sleeping places and the potty events. I do have to say, I certainly feel like I have sent her back in development as opposed to any advances since she has been with me. We are all on Rescue Remedy, especially me and Chandra is going to send me another remedy for her being in a new home.

First night together we were in a hotel room and her bed was between the two hotel beds on floor. 2nd night finally at my house and she got freaked out in yard so we all slept in the living room that night, me in the couch with my other two dogs and her on her bed on the floor. Third night I decided that a spot in the laundry room for her would be good with her bed, water and a baby gate to separate us. That worked pretty well with a little pawing and fighting of the gate. Last night she fought (stood up, pawed at it, even rattled it a bit it seemed) the baby gate for about 10 minutes and for the first time, she vocalized a bit. It was a wimper of sorts but I know she did not want to be there. That finally stopped, maybe not even 10 minutes just seemed forever to me. Any thoughts, suggestions on this plan or maybe a better one. As noted below, Chandra has her in a separate place from the bedroom at her house.

Potty issues: when we went to bed last night I knew she needed to pee. We had been on a long walk where she did poop and even went out in the back yard, which I think she is pretty scared of thanks to other dog and his barking at the neighbor dog…..but she never did pee. And of course, she did in the laundry room and I expect that but did not want her to have to pee there. I want her to enjoy walks and pee on them or in the yard. This morning we got up and walked the back yard for about ½ hour with no results and this is with her on a leash. If I just let her loose, she runs right back into the house after about 30 seconds. And of course no action. Once in the house I tried to give her a treat and let go of it before she had hold of it……..it hit the lamp stand and she took off scared of the noise. Took off out the doggie door, pooped on the porch out of fear I am sure…….and then I noticed she has just recently peed on the rug somewhere in that 10 minutes.

So right now as I sit in my office………she is resting on her bed behind me watching my every move. When I am not moving, she comes to where I am. If moving she will follow, but then I think she I looking for the really good treats that now afraid to take from me. If I try to give her a treat now, she bolts outside. When we were first together, she would eat with the other kids now she is scared of me and her food it seems and I just leave on the floor in area, but she will not come to her bowl now.

I don’t have any experience with puppy mill babes, but have had dogs for 25 plus years and can see now I know nothing………………thanks for any suggestions/help you maybe be able to give me. I know it has only been three days and I can hand it if you tell me to take chill with her.



Lisa,
At night, Cookie was here in the office with access to a doggie door and her run. But the temperatures at night were starting to drop, so I had to close the doggie door at night for the last week. She was in a contained area with a baby gate, so she could see around the rest of the office. Many times at night, I left a small light on, such as a night light, because this seemed to help. Also you could play soft music for her when the dog barking stresses her out. What the trainer here told me was to introduce softer sounds and then gradually over time, increase the noise so she got more used to it. Also her sense of smell is very acute. You might want to put a container of popouri near her. These are just simple suggestions. Our dog trainer, Pat Whitaker, helped me a lot and may be able to help you with more suggestions. His e-mail is
If you have any more questions, just let me know.
Chandra

Chandra Forsythe

http://www.bestfriends.org/



Hi Chandra,
A couple of questions…………….my male dog is really freaking out Cookie with his barking and annoyance with the neighbor dog on the other side of the fence. Any suggestions ??

I also wondered what you did with her at night. Was she in her pen area with or without access to the doggie door. I don’t really think a crate is the answer, but did leave her in the laundry room today when running errands. She was in there with a baby gate at the door, so she was able to see/hear the other dogs in the house. Right now I am very sure I am driving her nuts and maybe watching her every move too much. Open to any advice you might like to share.

Oct. 26, 07
OMG…..what a wonderful last 24 hours. Pooping and peeing in the right places and now Kati engaging Dobie for play time. I have also chatted with Dell and added her comments below. What a great find she has been. She has saved over kids and this is all old stuff for her.

Hi Dell,
First of all, what part of the country do you live in? I am in Chandler, AZ and it has already been a fabulous day in Kati land!! Two poops and pees outside on her very own. She can not decide on the grass or the cement…..i am happy with whatever one she likes best!! I have the same deal with my boy dog……..just get it outside and you can do it anywhere you like……..LOL!! She is moving all over the place this afternoon and thinking about playing with Dobie.
She sees them get treats and wants those just like them, but still scared to come get. I am sure the baby food will bring her back around. She really seems to be liking her crate better then the laundry room. I leave it out in the living room at night as well. Do you think I should move into the bedroom with the rest of us? I thought the living room would be the most quite for her. Other dogs make some noise at night and I get up and rattle around as well from time to time.
So you have 7 dogs………..how do you give them all the attention the little ones always seem to want or is there just enough to go around?? Thanks so much for your sharing, it helps wonders. Later, lisa


Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the pics of your newest addition! What a sweetie!
I would wait for dog school until you have her off the long leash at home. She's still getting used to her new home. I'd start with friends first & then dog school. Listen to your instincts & you'll do fine! I would also give Dobie & Molly a little baby food - Kati will see them coming to you for it & may decide that's not so bad!
Congrats to Molly & Dobie for accepting Kati as their newest sibling! Way to go kids!
Our kids - Sammy (poodle) Maggie (black chi) Peanut (her daughter, chi-terrier mix) Rita (pom/pug) Roxy (chi)
Squirt (brown teacup) Mocha (black teacup) - these kids were Kristi's foster kids. Rita's technically not a best friends dog. Kristi's mom found a stray pom that was pregnant. Rita's one of her pups - the pups were born at Kristi's. The sheltie is from sheltie rescue in Wi. We also have a 19 year old cat that rules the house.
If you have any questions or concerns - please email me! Great thoughts. Tummy rubs to your kids. Dell

HI Dell,
Thanks for getting back to me and WOW……..i am not doing so bad after all it seems, already have some of what you tell me in place. We all had a very good day today. She peed and pooped outside a couple of times, two with me and then one pee out in the middle of the grass all by herself and on her own. She just got up walked outside, wandered a bit and then peed. I was so proud!! I am putting her in a closed kennel at night and it is in the living room already. She is wearing the drag leash full time and that does help with getting her on the walking leash at walk time. I will continue with the crate thing as you describe below. I have left that house a few times and also having her stay in the closed kennel. I will be finally going back to the office for a few hours tomorrow and planning on putting her in the crate then as well. She is going in and out of the kennel on her own and also has a spot behind me here in the office and in a another corner. She has three spots I guess. She is eating when the other two are and everyone seems to be doing well with that. She does need to keep an eye on the other two while eating but all and all it is ok.
She likes the other dogs ok and they like her. She and noisy Dobie almost played today. She is only scared of him when he scream barks at sirens and the neighbor dog at the fence. I have gotten his water bottle back out and that seems to be keeping him back under control. I did not realize how much he was doing that again until Kati got here (yes, I am renaming her. Just have not figured out the spelling yet). She will be right about to do her business and he goes off the deep end. So in the morning we are going out alone while he waits I the house and that has worked great the last two mornings. My old girl, Molly, has really surprised me. She is not normally welcoming and has been a superstar since meeting Kati, she is 11 and seems to be quite ok with her.
I am already hip the vinegar but use in it straight as opposed to mixing. Learned that trick long ago. She was taking treats from me until I dropped one before she had hold of it, it landed on a lamp base and scared the crap out of her……..so treats are bad no. Will be getting the gerber food tomorrow. I like that suggestion and it will keep the other dogs at bay I hope. I can hold her, if I catch her at the end of the drag leash. She will not make eye contact but I have figured out she like to have her back rubbed and we are using Bach flower essences now. Got a new remedy tonight, and will start tomorrow. They have a remedy just for rescue dogs and if you read about it……….it is like they know where she has been. No family but me here, will get the friends to start stopping over just to say hi and give her a spoon treat.
I was wandering how long before getting her to dog school, kind of thought all the nosies and other dogs would be too much too soon. Will wait a bit on that one.
Molly is a shoulder and covers girl herself, but I have had her since 8 weeks. Dobie was an adoption from the local shelter with no details on him, I have had him three years. I have only heard of how bad it was for her and not seen any pictures. I am a visual person, so I am sure I don’t think it was as bad as it was since I have not seen the pics. So there is not crying or poor Cookie/Kati going on. I did start a journal and am also keeping and reading all the email support that I get. I am so happy you got back to me and I can bug you now…………
I have attached a picture of Kati!! Would love to see a pic of yoru kids……………….thanks so much for your time and sharing. Lisa and the kids!!



Hi Lisa,
Congratulations on your new arrival! Dogs from puppy mills are so very special!!
What I would suggest - keep a daily journal! Whenever you might feel frustrated, you can read the journal & see how the baby steps occured on a daily basis. It's always one step forward & two steps back.
When our kids first came - we had a kennel they could go in as they needed. We kept the kennel in the living room. I kept the door open so they were free to come & go as they pleased. Have a water bowl inside the kennel & put their food dish there twice a day for feeding. If your little one is afraid of it's new sibling, I'd close the kennel door at night. After about a week, remove the door. Another week later, remove the top of the kennel - keep the base there for Cookie's security - she'll love having her blanket there to make her feel safe. I removed the kennel from the living room & put it in the basement after our kids had been here for a month. The reason I suggest you keep the kennel in the living room is that you want her to get used to you, your other dogs & the routine of her new family. This will help her feel that she is a very important family member.
It's not uncommon for the kids to "hold" their urine in the beginning - they will eventually go potty. Dogs think of rugs as grass, so expect them to go potty on your rug initially. To help with the odor - mix 2 parts water with 1 part vinegar - spray it on the surface & wipe/blot it off 5 minutes later. Cookie may bond with one of your other dogs & will run outside with them when it's potty time.
Developing trust - one of the things I did with our kids when they arrived is to buy jars of gerber baby food. (It's low on sodium & potassium compared to other baby foods). Put some on a spoon & hold it at arms length so Cookie can smell it & maybe she'll come & take a taste! Do this several times a day. Gradually hold the spoon closer to you. Cookie can only have the baby food if she comes to get it. After she accepts the baby food from the spoon, put it on your finger & let her lick it off. If you have moist dog food, this works too. I have to admit my kids found the baby food a special treat.
Dogs from puppy mills are initially afraid. Little noises upset them. It's great that Cookie will go on a walk with you. WHen Roxy first came - it took me a year of chaing her around the house just to hold her. We started with holding her for 10 seconds the first time & gradually increasing the time she was held. Roxy would express her anal glans & more often than not, leave a deposit in our hands! Right now, she's laying on my lap while I'm typing to you - sound alseep.
Socialiation - have your family/friends come over & say "hi Cookie" Initially they don't have to pet her, but they could offer her some food on a spoon - again, she doesn't get it unless she comes for it! Dog school can be helpful with socialization & it's a great way for her to bond with you.
One thing you will notice is that regardless of how long a puppy mill dog has lived with you - they will always do something wonderful that you never expected. We've had Sammy for over 6 years & this year he started sleeping on my shoulder at night & now he has to be covered!
Patience, love & hugs are what these kids need. Don't say "Poor Cookie - I feel terrible for the things that have happened to you" She has a great home now & she needs positive feelings. You can cry in the shower, but never let her know you feel this way.
Enjoy your little one! Keep me posted as to how she's doing. Great thoughts Dell


I cant believe the advance once I seemed to use the flower essences, but could just be cause this is feeling like her home. She still is very jumpy and scared by me and treats but to be doing her business outside and playing with dobie is fabulous. I went to work today for six hours and she did great in the crate. Will lock her up the rest of the week and then see about some free time maybe over the weekend for an hour or so. Just not so sure about that one yet.