Puppy mill rescue

[Marilyn and Sherlock]

I have a 12 month puppy mill rescue Aussiedoodle (Watson)...while he is great with my Sherlock... he shys away when I extend a hand out to him.... very suspicious of people..... you can tell he really wants to jump up in my lap the way Sherlock does but he doesn't trust enough.... I have been letting him set the pace ... to come to me when he  wants the attention, and he is coming more frequently... however, I brush Sherlock 2 to 3 times a week.... Watson has been with me about a month and he is becoming a matted mess...any suggestions on how I can foster trust more quickly without traumatizing him any more than he is already having lived his whole life in a mill?

[Judith and Addie]

You  are so great to take in a puppy mill dog. As you already know they have their own set of problems. I wish I could give you some advice but I think one thing you might want to do is check out the Fearful Dog website on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/fearfuldogs/ There is a phenomenal amount of experience there. There is a small fee to watch a video before you can join but I think you can lurk for free to see if it is a fit.

[Marilyn and Sherlock]

Thank you so much for this link..... Wow, there is a ton of information on there..........

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

First of all thank you for giving this dog a chance at a normal, safe life.  Also, it sounds like you're going slow which I think is the perfect approach.  I'm hoping that some people who have socialized puppy mill or fearful rescue Doodles will comment about what techniques worked for them.  I would start with a real, real high value treat.  I'd sit on the floor and let him come to me and they I'd work one mat at a time while rewarding.  I wouldn't work too long to try to brush the mat out....at this point I think I would just cut it out to be sure that I didn't hurt him which could reinforce the fear.  Also I wouldn't work more than 5 minutes at a time.  Right now the priority is to get rid of the mats and try to prevent future ones...the "good grooming" can come later.  Good luck and again THANK YOU!

[charlotte bednarsh]

Hi,it is so heartwarming to hear the way you are giving this puppy a wonderful chance at a normal life. Whereas I've not had any difficulty grooming my beloved Paz, my trainer has suggested using peanut butter on your fingers to get the puppy feeling like grooming is fun, and certainly, in little steps.  Good luck!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you for taking a chance on Watson; I can promise you, the rewards down the road will be much greater than you can imagine. :)

Did the rescue not bathe and groom him before adopting him out? Typically, dogs coming from puppy mills and other neglect situations are shaved down and bathed first thing, out of necessity. They are usually so matted that shaving them down is far less stressful or painful than trying to comb or brush through the matts. 

It may be that you will need to have that done. It would probably be easiest for Watson if you can find a mobile groomer who comes to the house. Otherwise, you might ask your vet's office if they can do it while you stay with him. That will give you a good long time to get him used to being brushed or combed without hurting him. 

[Marilyn and Sherlock]

The rescue was in the middle of a re-plumb so they weren't able to bathe him before I got him. (He was groomed probably in Sept and won a contest the east coast rescues sponsor's..... He was actually on the cover of Groomer to Groomer for November, the young lady won with Watson as an entry..... I bathed him after we got back from Maryland, and while he was scared to death, he didn't growl or nip at me..... very sweet disposition... I finally got him dried but he was too stressed out for me to brush him good....and he stays away when he sees a brush or comb...he won't come near me if I have them, or won't let me near him.... The mats aren't big yet, but they are there...I thought maybe if he watched me groom Sherlock and Sherlock didn't mind it, he would be more willing to at least let me brush him but as soon as I turn towards him for him to smell the brush, he is across the room in record time..... I will check for mobile groomer... that is a good idea....  Thanks.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

He's a beautiful dog. It will be a shame to shave him, but it'll give you a fresh start and hopefully you'll be able to get him used to the brush and comb by the time there's a danger of matting. 

I used a mobile groomer when I first adopted Jack. I will tell you it was very expensive and far from the best grooming he ever had. He really didn't even smell clean, lol. But it was just so much less stressful for him than it would have been to leave him somewhere, with all the noise, other dogs barking, etc. and it takes much less time. 

He sounds like a really sweet dog.

You are doing exactly the right thing by giving him his space and letting him come to you. With this type of dog, that's key. I would not even extend your hand out to him; one good piece of advice i once got from a trainer who works exclusively with shelter dogs is "never touch a dog until he touches you". Jack was very afraid of long cylindrical objects and hands coming at him when I first got him. It just takes time for trust to develop. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh he really is beautiful!  If you do decide on the mobile groomer, please ask for references.  I know that there is one in our area that people have had horrible experiences with.  I know they're all different, but it's going to take someone who has tons of patience and will not force anything.  Maybe you could check with local rescues to see if they have a groomer who has experience with fearful dogs.  If the mats are small if it were me I would just cut them out and keep working a little at a time to desensitize him to the comb and brush with some great treats.  You can put the comb on the floor with a treat next to it...if he comes to it more rewards...then try picking it up...then just lightly touching him with it....then a quick comb....all this time giving treats and calm praise.  The thing is while I really believe this type of approach can work well, it does take time that not everyone has, so I'm not sure if it would even be an option for you.  Good luck!

[Marilyn and Sherlock]

I am retired so we have all the time he needs.....thank you....

[Marilyn and Sherlock]

Thank you for your help....

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Is your profile photo Watson?  If so, he is a handsome doodle. Is it possible to take him to a groomer as they can quickly take the coat down - yes it will be short, but he will be clean and feel so much better. Then, start brushing him lightly at night when he is laying down.  As you probably know mats let unattended get unmanageable fairly quickly.  Especially if he is matting, and you bath and do not brush out all the mats before bathing.  I believe taking the trust issue slowly and with time he will learn you are safe and he is safe with you.  I would be prepared with treats in my pocket and every time he came near, treat him and tell him what a good boy he is.  Also when you feed him, have him sit first and treat quickly, tell him good and then let him eat.  He needs you as a leader.  I am so glad you rescued his sweet boy.  Keep us posted on how he is doing and the progress the two of you are making.  I just love his name!

[Marilyn and Sherlock]

The profile picture is Sherlock.... also an Aussiedoodle..... they are great together..... Watson has such a different coat than Sherlock..... Sherlock has more of a poodle coat... really soft and curly.... Watson's coat is more like the Australian Shepherd..... they have quickly come to love each other...... Watson will crawl into crate with Sherlock.... it is cute....