Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Maybe the kitchen would be the safest place? And leave her for very short periods of time, with a long, to start with. Five minutes, then six and so on.
Flicka
- Thread starter Stacia
- Start date
@Jelinga gosh I’ve just caught up. What a night you had. Brilliant firemen and lovely of them to clean her up and be so nice with her. Blues and twos for a special pup. 
I wonder how on earth she got her head through the bars of her crate ?!?! I’m glad she settled better with you downstairs. You could perhaps try an ex-pen that’s mesh rather than bars to puppy proof the kitchen so she can’t get at anything you don’t want her to. My sister had to do this when her cocker was a pup because he chewed the nobs on the oven, cupboard doors, skirting board etc. She probably should’ve done it sooner
The problem might be Flicka might jump over of course being bigger and older. Sorry not much help but it’s very early days for you and Flicka. I’m sure with all your experience and love she’ll soon settle in. I also know what a shock it can be going from an older dog you know inside out to a young one that you’ve got no idea what they’ll do next. It’ll work out though Sonia I’m sure of it.
I wonder how on earth she got her head through the bars of her crate ?!?! I’m glad she settled better with you downstairs. You could perhaps try an ex-pen that’s mesh rather than bars to puppy proof the kitchen so she can’t get at anything you don’t want her to. My sister had to do this when her cocker was a pup because he chewed the nobs on the oven, cupboard doors, skirting board etc. She probably should’ve done it sooner The problem might be Flicka might jump over of course being bigger and older. Sorry not much help but it’s very early days for you and Flicka. I’m sure with all your experience and love she’ll soon settle in. I also know what a shock it can be going from an older dog you know inside out to a young one that you’ve got no idea what they’ll do next. It’ll work out though Sonia I’m sure of it.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Good idea. Though since earlier writing my daughter says she has some netting and will bring it over at the weekend and could try that. I am sure I know someone with one of those fabric crates, must try and bring it to my memory.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
She gets too stressed in a crate, digs frantically to get out. I think she forced the bars apart and then got her head stuck, it was very frightening, if I hadn't gone down I would have found her dead in the morning. scary to think about it.@Jelinga gosh I’ve just caught up. What a night you had. Brilliant firemen and lovely of them to clean her up and be so nice with her. Blues and twos for a special pup.
The poor little thing and super scary for you @Jelinga. Hopefully you can try a fabric crate and she’ll be happy in one of those. No bad association to one. I know you don’t think a pen will keep her in and it’s just a thought but she might be better in something larger that she maybe doesn’t feel trapped in but you know she’s contained and safe in. Still not much help I know
Merlin was like this; hated his crate and eventually I gave up after he almost broke it and got halfway through between two edges. Maybe she has some association with being locked up that you just don't know...
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Quite possibly @MellowYellow, she has lived in kennels all her life with other dogs in same area though there was loads of room in the part outside and I believe she had time running in a field, but she had never been on lead. She does get distressed if I shut her in utility room (kitchen and dining room don't have a door between them) and scratches and digs trying to get out. She certainly gets extremely distressed being shut in. She has now sussed the dog door to go outside, think they had one of those at the kennels.
- Location
- Isle of Man
It can be a most frustrating, worrying yet exciting time when you are both learning about each other. Coming from a kennel environment is a big change, but once Flicka has learned that she is in a safe and loving home things will get easier as she picks up on the household routines. It sounds as if your are both moving in the right direction, finding the dog door is brilliant, she knows she's not "trapped". Slowly slowly.
My sister fosters (and often ends up keeping) dogs that are being rehomed from a kennels in Cyprus. They are often really stressed to begin with, but she just takes it very slowly and lets them go at their own pace. That said, she prefers to foster older dogs, as she says young ones can be really tiring! At the moment she has three of her own adopted dogs, and she has just taken on a new foster, Coco, an 8-year old brown lab/pointer cross, who was terribly shy and nervous the first few days and unlike Flicka only wanted to be in a crate and would not come out... Now she comes of her own accord and sits by my sister on the couch for cuddles. I am she she will adopt her...
The only reason I am saying this is that these first few days might be crazy, but that I am sure things will settle down as you get used to each other. Sending you lots of patience and strength!
The only reason I am saying this is that these first few days might be crazy, but that I am sure things will settle down as you get used to each other. Sending you lots of patience and strength!
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Flicka may very end up loving her crate, but if not, try not to lose heart. My crate-hating dogs were still wonderful companions and taught me a lot about compromise and finding sometimes very creative solutions. And sometimes they just ended up nibbling on the furniture the first few weeks. It was worth it. 
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- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I now realise that she hasn't been socialised to the outside world She is happy with me but Waitrose delivery came and frightened her, probably the big boxes he was carrying. I can't put her on a lead as she flattens herself to the floor, well I have slipped a light one over her head and she trails it to find me. Slowly, slowly, I have plenty of time.
She is happy with me but Waitrose delivery came and frightened her, probably the big boxes he was carrying. I can't put her on a lead as she flattens herself to the floor, well I have slipped a light one over her head and she trails it to find me. Slowly, slowly, I have plenty of time.
- Location
- Isle of Man
Perfect
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
You'll get there Sonia! Gradually you're learning more about her, and she is about you. Slowly is the best way forward, as you've said.I now realise that she hasn't been socialised to the outside world
You do. All that matters is you and Flicka. The most important step I think to begin with is the two of you bonding and Flicka learning she can trust you and by the sound of things that’s already happening.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I had to go for blood test today and a neighbour from the next Close came and babysat her. When I came home she didn't seem to know me though Sharon said she had been looking for me. I took her into the garden for a 'be quick' when a neighbour made a noise with one of her garden bins, frightened Flicka so much, she fled into the house and it has taken me 3 hours to restore her confidence. Yet she doesn't mind the vacuum cleaner or the washing machine!
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Do you think she has had many people coming and going during her life? It’s very early days isn’t it? I suppose kindness, consistency and bucket loads of patience are going to be needed…..but you know that
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Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Oh, poor little girl. The bright side is it’s such early days yet. For fosters (I know Flicka isn’t a foster, but same principle) you don’t really see their real personalities until a couple weeks in. I’m excited to see what fab little dynamo is hiding behind the fear she’s showing now. You’ll get there, Sonia. 
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Did you ever leave them?Flicka may very end up loving her crate, but if not, try not to lose heart. My crate-hating dogs were still wonderful companions and taught me a lot about compromise and finding sometimes very creative solutions. And sometimes they just ended up nibbling on the furniture the first few weeks. It was worth it.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
She has done zooms round the living room this morning, would prefer she didn't do that! Then again this afternoon in the garden! But very afraid when neighbour made a noise in her garden with a bin, took me three hours to get over that.Oh, poor little girl. The bright side is it’s such early days yet. For fosters (I know Flicka isn’t a foster, but same principle) you don’t really see their real personalities until a couple weeks in. I’m excited to see what fab little dynamo is hiding behind the fear she’s showing now. You’ll get there, Sonia.