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?

[Shari Becker]

I would definitely have a groomer do his cut this first time, but I would really take your time to find someone good. We've had all sorts of experiences ... good and bad. Even good groomers can sometimes cut the dog, and that's pretty traumatic. I'd get references, and I would even go in with Watson a few times before so that he can meet the groomers first. Find out if they will crate him or let him roam free (whichever will make him feel safest is what you want.) Find out how many dogs are in the store at one time. We have settled on a grooming store where they groom out in the open, a few dogs at once, and they keep a small number of dogs for daycare. It wasn't my first choice because it is the most expensive groomer in the area. Lexi doesn't like being crated, so I pay extra for her to go to daycare. The owner is the only person who grooms Lexi, and I will wait two weeks to get her if I have to. She does everything in her power not to scare or hurt the dogs, and Lexi comes out happy as a clam. Like she's just been to a great playdate. (I have to be honest and say I think de-matting is sometimes more stressful than a shear.) Anyhow, good luck! You are doing such a wonderful thing for this dog! 

[Marilyn and Sherlock]

Thank you..... when I lived in Culver, I took Sherlock to a groomer... they had daycare and they did training too.... no cages.... I took him in AM and picked him up in PM... and he loved it.... if I didn't live 50 miles away, I would take Watson there.... they were great, but I have an old car and to use them would require a 200 mile trip by the time I made two round trips.......

[Shari Becker]

Well, a 200 mile round trip to groom your dog would make for a traumatized you, so maybe not the best solution! Ha! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Is the rescue close enough for you to contact them re: grooming?  They might have some good suggestions for you.

[Marilyn and Sherlock]

No, the rescue is in Maryland and I am in Indiana......Sherlock and my sister drove with me to Maryland to get him.... rented a SUV......9 hours on the road... and on the drive home..... not a peep out of either dog.... it was smooth going.. he really has a wonderful temperament..... but I can call them.... thanks.

[Marilyn and Sherlock]

Ok, continuing saga of Watson.... There is a groomer in the vets office that I took Watson to and he did really good with her... she didn't have to shave him but did take him down in length quite a bit mats are gone.... He seemed fine when he came from there so I don't think he was upset... when we got home, he wanted out to potty, so I opened the door (privacy fenced yard) and he and Sherlock went out and they played just fine.... But now he won't have anything to do with me.... he won't even come inside the house...  he has never done anything like that before...it is like he is mad at me..... but as soon as I approach the door, to let him in, he runs back out in the yard.... it is like I have destroyed the 6 weeks of trust I have built with him just by taking him to the groomer and I just want to cry....I have tried treats, cooked meat, toys, nothing works.... I am at wits end.... any suggestions.....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I promise you that he is not mad at you, and you haven't destroyed his trust in you. I can't explain why he's doing what he's doing right now, but it's not because he's mad that you took him to the groomer. Maybe he feels so good being mat free that he just feels like running. :) 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

There is a lot of new stimuli he is experiencing, and it is going to take time - like one step forward, two back! I see you posted an hour ago, were you able to get him to come in with Sherlock?  

[Marilyn and Sherlock]

He came in about 9pm last night... got a drink and curled up on the couch with Sherlock and went to sleep...he got in his crate when we went to sleep with no problem and this morning, he is his sweet self again....  I really thought I had done something drastically wrong... but apparently he just wanted to play outside ... but all is well this morning and I was over reacting.... thank goodness.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I think you are doing a great job and I applaud you. It will probably all be trial and error at this point and I bet, with time, things will come together. I really have no advice, but I bet consistency and routine will help most of all. Good luck and thank you!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is great news!