New Rescue Dog is Pacing...Ideas?

Rescue Girl · 07-19-2010, 01:51 PM

Hello all! This is my first post and I'm hoping you can help. I just rescued a female GSD about 3y/o. Brought her home from AZ to SoCal last night. My other two dogs (a black lab male and a terrier mix pup) were at our other home so she could get acclimated and sleep. Here's what I know about her, and it's not much. She was taken to a rescue from the shelter where the owners left her because they were moving. The lady at this rescue decided to starve the animals

and my friend's rescue went with the sheriff to confiscate a total of 17 dogs, this one being one of them. She is about 20lbs underweight (any ideas on how to put it on w/out using people food would be appreciated).

Here's my main question. Is pacing normal? She's been going back and forth all over the house and then she goes to the doors and taps the knob with her nose. I take her out, sometimes she goes to the bathroom other times she doesn't. Then, she starts pacing in the yard as well. My guess is she's still nervous here, but I want to make sure. She's eating her food with no problem and will finally go lay down and rest, but I just want to help her to be comfortable.

Thanks and sorry for the lengthy post.

Denman · 07-19-2010, 01:55 PM

It will take time for the pup to get used to the new environment. When I rescued my GSD she was about 9 months old and she was acclimated within a week, with a 3 year old it may take more time. Just give her a nice place to sleep, feed her in the house, and soon enough she will realize that is her house.

As for putting on weight, I would just feed a little more than usual every meal, it may take time, but you do not want to rush putting on weight.

Also Welcome!

GSDBESTK9 · 07-19-2010, 01:55 PM

It can take up to 2 weeks for a dog to feel confortable in a new home. Pacing is normal. Give her time. Stick to a routine with her, it will help her.

Lilie · 07-19-2010, 02:00 PM

Congrats on the new GSD!

DnP · 07-19-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSDBESTK9

It can take up to 2 weeks for a dog to feel confortable in a new home. Pacing is normal. Give her time. Stick to a routine with her, it will help her.

I've found a routine to be a key for a new dog. I found when I adopted Phoenix that keeping a good routine helped him settle in. Feeding times, exercise, sleeping/waking times...something she can depend on. She's a bit stressed right now from all the change in her life. I would not be surprised if it took her a bit of time to settle down and settle into your house.

JazzNScout · 07-19-2010, 05:26 PM

Bless you for taking in that sweetheart. Like others have said, she's just nervous, not used to her new surroundings.

When I got Scout, I felt so sorry for him because he kept looking out the front window, knowing that we came in from the front -- I knew he wanted to head back from where he came. He was a pacer, too. Soon enough, he realized he was stuck here

Rescue Girl · 07-20-2010, 02:32 AM

Thanks to all the helpful GSD parents. I am happy to report that Lela is finally settled. Turns out that she had indigestion from the long car trip from the rescue in AZ to here in SoCal. The pacing was because she's a genius and didn't want to potty in the house. Already a good girl. After a bath, toenail trim and a treat finding mission at the pet shop, she's happily sleeping and preparing for a fun day tomorrow.

cagirl · 07-20-2010, 02:44 AM

Glad she is settling in these work great to get dogs to gain weight well
Holistic Dog - Satinballs Satin Balls

Melina · 07-25-2010, 02:43 AM

Just nerves, sometimes it takes a bit for them to get acclimated...

What the heck is the name of this Rescue though? I live in AZ, I'd like to know who it was...You can PM me if you wish.

RogueRed26 · 07-25-2010, 05:14 AM

Good to hear she is finally settling down. Continue making her feel special and loved. I have always heard that adopted dogs are always the best, they appreciate their new owner even more when the adopter open their home to them. Good luck! =)

07-19-2010, 01:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rescue Girl New Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7	New Rescue Dog is Pacing...Ideas? Hello all! This is my first post and I'm hoping you can help. I just rescued a female GSD about 3y/o. Brought her home from AZ to SoCal last night. My other two dogs (a black lab male and a terrier mix pup) were at our other home so she could get acclimated and sleep. Here's what I know about her, and it's not much. She was taken to a rescue from the shelter where the owners left her because they were moving. The lady at this rescue decided to starve the animals and my friend's rescue went with the sheriff to confiscate a total of 17 dogs, this one being one of them. She is about 20lbs underweight (any ideas on how to put it on w/out using people food would be appreciated). Here's my main question. Is pacing normal? She's been going back and forth all over the house and then she goes to the doors and taps the knob with her nose. I take her out, sometimes she goes to the bathroom other times she doesn't. Then, she starts pacing in the yard as well. My guess is she's still nervous here, but I want to make sure. She's eating her food with no problem and will finally go lay down and rest, but I just want to help her to be comfortable. Thanks and sorry for the lengthy post.

07-19-2010, 01:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
GSDBESTK9 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 28,438	It can take up to 2 weeks for a dog to feel confortable in a new home. Pacing is normal. Give her time. Stick to a routine with her, it will help her. __________________ Carolina Johnson http://www.johnsonhaus.com http://www.carolinak9photography.com

07-19-2010, 05:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
JazzNScout Master Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Land of the Chupacabra Posts: 665	Bless you for taking in that sweetheart. Like others have said, she's just nervous, not used to her new surroundings. When I got Scout, I felt so sorry for him because he kept looking out the front window, knowing that we came in from the front -- I knew he wanted to head back from where he came. He was a pacer, too. Soon enough, he realized he was stuck here __________________ Spending more than a few hours a day in a forum is unhealthy and makes people mean

07-20-2010, 02:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
Rescue Girl New Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7	Thank You Thanks to all the helpful GSD parents. I am happy to report that Lela is finally settled. Turns out that she had indigestion from the long car trip from the rescue in AZ to here in SoCal. The pacing was because she's a genius and didn't want to potty in the house. Already a good girl. After a bath, toenail trim and a treat finding mission at the pet shop, she's happily sleeping and preparing for a fun day tomorrow.

07-25-2010, 02:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
Melina Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: The Surface Of The Sun Posts: 1,836	Just nerves, sometimes it takes a bit for them to get acclimated... What the heck is the name of this Rescue though? I live in AZ, I'd like to know who it was...You can PM me if you wish. __________________ Mom To: Koda - Sable GSD, Stray Riley - Sheltie Mix, Rescue "Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring A Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."

07-19-2010, 01:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Denman Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Prior Lake, MN Posts: 178	It will take time for the pup to get used to the new environment. When I rescued my GSD she was about 9 months old and she was acclimated within a week, with a 3 year old it may take more time. Just give her a nice place to sleep, feed her in the house, and soon enough she will realize that is her house. As for putting on weight, I would just feed a little more than usual every meal, it may take time, but you do not want to rush putting on weight. Also Welcome!

07-19-2010, 02:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lilie Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 6,290	Congrats on the new GSD!

07-20-2010, 02:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
cagirl Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 217	Glad she is settling in these work great to get dogs to gain weight well Holistic Dog - Satinballs Satin Balls

07-25-2010, 05:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
RogueRed26 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 403	Good to hear she is finally settling down. Continue making her feel special and loved. I have always heard that adopted dogs are always the best, they appreciate their new owner even more when the adopter open their home to them. Good luck! =)

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