Gemma was spayed this past Monday and the vet suggested some holistic/natural liquid supplements for her. One is a confidence booster and the other is a calming (not sedative) essence. WOW, I've been giving them to her since Monday and what a huge change I've seen in her. I mean she seriously could just be coming out of her shell and getting used to us. She's still a nervous wreck and darts in and out of the house at breakneck speed but she's been coming out of the crate when I leave the crate door open and joining us in another room. She's been trying to interact more with my dogs and if I approach her the right way she won't cower. I have to be really aware of how I approach her so that she can have the ability to come or stay without cowering. I forget because my boys come willingly if I just say their names. She responds when I call her puppy, but we are all calling her Gemma so she knows her name. It saddens me how these dogs were ignored and given no chance to be loved.
She is not food motivated but has started to respond when I talk to her. She comes running in from the yard when I call her but then just can't come inside willingly. I can either coax her in if she's right on the heels of my dogs or I have to go get her. I've been trying to lead her in by her collar and sometimes she puts the brakes on and I have to drag her a little. Its that or pick her up. But I've been trying to not do that. I want her to walk in so eventually she does it willingly. She's eating fine, she has stopped flipping her bowl, I feed her in the crate so she gets to eat all her own food. She sleeps thru the night without a peep, maybe a whine once in a blue moon, once during the night, but she settles right back down. She loves to be pet when she has the courage to come to me. I continually show her that if she comes to me she gets pet or loved or kissed or talked to nicely.
Its very frustrating that basic normal things that you expect from a dog are not the norm with her. We are all patient and never yell at her or get mad. We continually encourage her and praise all accomplishments.
This pup will eventually make a wonderful pet. She MUST go to a home with another dog. Several would even be fine as long as none are too domineering or rough. She only ever knew life with her mom and siblings so she totally comes out of her shell when she is with other dogs. She wags her nubby and is playful.......outside. That is another MUST. A nice big yard where she can prance and play. She totally comes alive outside. She doesn't mind the rain or being out there for hours. If its nice and the dogs are outside all day, she loves it.
I think with the right home she will blossom. It doesn't have to be a quiet home or with adults only. She will eventually be able to handle the hustle and bustle of a busy active home, as long as the family understands her limits, and if they work with her, she will get past them and flourish.
She's so pretty and really just as sweet as can be. She needs to go to her forever home soon so she can bond with them and learn to trust and respond to them. Get those applications in.