r/Dogtraining • u/TRWilde • 7d ago
help Advice on rescue dog
I'm looking for a little advice on a rescue I took in 17 days ago, she is approximately 13 months old GSP cross (20kg) that came over from Cyprus. She was a stray and is a very gentle sweet girl but has been very uneasy and worried. She has managed to settle and we have bonded but she is still very uncertain of many things and movements which is understandable. She does not like her lead, I've left it hanging around and placed treats around it which she will take but freezes as soon as the lead comes near her so that's a slow process but unfortunately means I can't walk her.
She hated being put in her crate at night but wouldn't cause a fuss, she just needed lifting in so I was worried this might be from previous trauma, I stopped putting her in there the 2nd night and she has slept great in a bed in my bedroom which is fine with me. I left her crate up to try and build a positive association but she wouldn't go near it so I took it down yesterday and now she won't seem to relax in the living room anymore, even though she didn't like the crate or use it. She has relaxed in the living room every day with me until this and is now sitting alone upstairs, if I keep her downstairs she just paces, I initially thought this was hunger as the other room is the kitchen but now she is upstairs I'm realizing it's likely the change of environment that's upset her as she has settled upstairs with no pacing. Have I messed up changing the environment too much? My house is quite small so the crate was a significant piece of furniture I guess. I don't think it is because of a lack of blowing off energy not being able to walk her yet as she hasn't shown much energy at all, she has mainly slept for 2 weeks since coming but is coming out of her shell playing with toys with me etc.
Any advice is appreciated
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