Hi,
I have recently taken in a papillon, 2 year old female. She's lovely. Unfortunately she had a bad start, the previous owner caged her. The rescue didn't know anything else about her. Anyway, she jumps at the slightest little noise, she is terrified of everything when we're out walking, she's never known anything other than a cage and other papillons. Also circles, mostly big circles but when stressed she circles in tight.

We're doing well with house training and she's friendly towards the cats.
But I'm totally out of my depth with her fear. I know I shouldn't comfort her in a stressful situation but I hate seeing her so scared. Can someone please tell me how I can help her?
Thanks

Hi there. First of all, well done in taking on this little girl. She now needs you to show her that the world is not such a scary place by your own body language and attitude. So stay calm and quiet and refrain from hugging her close or telling her she is a 'good girl' just at the moment when she is showing fear of something. It's an easy mistake to make and we have all done it at some time! Also, start swotting up on Calming Signals so that you can read her better.

Some calming signals we can mimic ourselves such as yawning etc. Show her that things do not worry you, that you are calm and confident and she will take her lead from that. If she needs to hide behind you allow her to as then you are acting as a barrier between her and what she is scared of. But still, do not 'comfort' her, just carry on being the calm, 'not bothered' person. Never try to drag her round to face her fears but rather step to the side slowly instead. Walk towards what worries her outside in a curve rather than facing it head on etc. Don't pick her up, leave her on the floor and consider using a secure harness and a loose lead to allow her to exhibit her own calming signals so that she can help to destress herself. If a dog is restrained closely when frightened, the tenseness then increases.

Take rewards out with you, whatever titbit she really really likes and reward for calm behaviour - but remember that your timing has to be right so that you do not reward the wrong reaction.

There's lots more on that link that you will find interesting and helpful too. Let us know how she progresses. I have to admit that though I have never owned one, Papillons are one of my favourite toy breeds. (Must keep remembering to remind husband of that fact!)

Hi
My mother took on a Papillon many years ago that had been used as a brood bitch and had been in a fire. Poor little mite was terrified of everything.
If it was me, I would get her settled at home and with you first before venturing out. Once she has confidence in you, I'm sure that the outside world will not be as frightening with you beside her.
I really don't know why people say not to carry dogs like this, if she was off the ground like a puppy, she could acclimatise to her new surroundings without the fear of head on confrontation.
My boy was terrified of several things when I first got him, and we would just sit and watch it from a distance. I would in some circumstances, tie him up briefly to a tree or fence and approach the scary object myself, to show that it was not going to eat him

Firstly shes so vunerable I know its hard and its the first thing you want to do but, dont soothe or pet her when she is showing fear it will reward and re-inforce the behaviour.

The circling may be due to being caged a stress reaction from being in a limited space. If you ssee her circling try to gently distract her. With her upbringing it may be hard and she might not know how to play but try redirecting it onto a toy, or distract her with high value treats, cheese,chicken hotdogs,sausages anything liver based is good. You need to be careful about timing, given at the wrong time it can be interpreted by her as reward for the circling, use smelly treats try to get her to come to you for the treat, then give it, so the treat is for coming to you not for the circling.

Chewing is a good destresser for dogs, see if you can find some chews she really likes. Kongs are good too hollow that you stuff with food. They come in all sizes, coat the inside with peanut butter or cheese spead and pack with wet food and add pieces of chicken or ham. The dog has to work to get the food out. Or you can get treat balls and toys, you fill with kibble and set to distribute bits, a way perhaps to get her to play and stimulate her brain.

DAP Dog appeasing pheromones can help, They come in a diffuser like a plug in air freshener an also a thin rubber type collar form. Its an artificial version of the pheromone a mum dog emits to calm and soothe pups useful for dogs of all ages in times of stress. I still use them for fireworks an things. From vets and pets at home did do them but one of cheapest places Ive found is Vet-Medic - the same medicines as your vet at consistently low prices.

I would make her a safe comfy corner in a corner of the room, with a soft cosy bed, maybe a large soft toy, or several small ones to cuddle up too, some chews etc. Also maybe an old t-shirt or jumper you have worn with your smell on it that can be a comforter. Put it where she can watch and learn and get her bearings from, but at the same time its a safe cosy Den if she feels like she needs her own bit of space to regroup.

If she has never been outside sounds are likely to freak her out and stress her. You can get various CDs ones actually called sounds scary think its by company of animals, if you check their website. This is a CD of outside and other noises. You start to play them at barely audible level, when the dog is relaxed, chewing, even eating in short bursts, as she learns to ignore them, you very slowly over a few weeks (depending on how she does) very very slightly each time turn them up just a small amount and for slightly longer periods, slowly desensitising to the noises.

As she gets used to noises and gains some confidence, I would personally keep her walks very short, only taking her to quiet places at first, then as she copes, take her out for a few minutes longer each time waiting again until she copes with that, and then over a period introduce to a few more things very slowly. Work your way up to more environmental challenges.
Never rush and take her into more than she can cope with. She is going to need time and a lot of patience.

Hope this might give you some ideas.

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Thanks for the advice, I really need it. I'm going to stop her walks until she gets a little bit more confident. House training seemed like it was going well but she's still having accidents even when she's been to the toilet outside. When she pees there is no warning, she just stops to sit then pees . Unfortunately she's neither toy nor food orientated, it's getting really tough to train her. When we praise her she doesn't even wag her tail. I've never know a dog not to wag their tail.
I don't know what I'm going to do, I feel like I'm in way over my head.

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Kim

Poor little mite and well done you for taking her on. Your last comment says she hasnt gain trust in you yet, so stop stressing about outside and relax. Dont try to hard, just have her around you so she can come out of her shell in her own time and it does take time. make some note so you can look back and then you will see the baby steps she will be making otherwise its easy to think she isnt improving. If she isnt trusting she wont be into treats or toys but this will change once she starts to interact with you and wag that tail. Good luck

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[SIGPIC] Its all down hill from now on!

It is going to take time, 2 years just knowing a crate in the inside of a house is all she has ever known before coming to you, and such as it is thats all she has ever known, so anything and everything is going to be a trauma for her.

Firstly I would get the vet to give her a check over, it sounds like she has a urinary tract infection, just like we do if we have one, it will make her pee for England and she probably cannot stop herself going, hence the accidents and forever seeming to be urinating. A course of antibiotics normally does the trick. If she has a UTI then she cant help it.

I would also go back to basics like you would toilet train a new pup, out every 30/45 minutes, give it a name when she starts to go (Later they associate name with deed and you can use it as a toilet cue) Lots of praise and a treat when she finishes. Pups need to go especially after eating,drinking,play and sleeping so pop her out too then. Any accidents use a special pet accident cleaner, smells left can encourage going in same places. Look out for circling sniffing and scratching at the floor they are usually signs they need to go.
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Above is what I usually advise for house training pups from the start, however if she has got a UTI then you are going to have accidents.
so make Vets your first port of call.

Meanwhile just keep going slow and steady with her introductions to things
and give her the time and space to adjust. You should find she will seek you in time, as she starts to adjust and cope. I think its going to be a case of less is more at the moment with this little one. Obviously doesnt need to be said any accidents just ignore it like it hasnt happened as far as she is concerned, even with pups tellings off can make them nervous and more likely to sneak off and do it as they are nervous of going in front of you.
Anything else you are worried about just say.

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Agree about the possible UTI. If the you think the vets would be too much for her, the vet may just take a sample to test.
You are not in over your head, she just needs time, don't force it, let her relax in her own time.
My boy was only 20 months old when I got him, he was raised in a home environment, but didn't know how to play and would move away from me if I tried to fuss him.
It took him months to even settle and a whole year before he and I bonded properly.
Your little dog has been through so much more, just be proud that she is warm and safe and fed. All the rest will come I'm sure. You sound perfect for her, if you would only relax and realise what a special person you sound to us