New rescue questions.

[Bro's Mom]

We lost our beloved Bro last year to cancer and due to our current lifestyle could not get a new puppy. Oh I've looked on Petfinder A LOT, but only recently fell "head over heels" for little Jack. He's 7 years old and was rescued from a breeder who had to lessen his operation by 50 dogs. (He had 100)
Well, we drove 400 miles to adopt him and he sure is a sweetie! Don't know where he learned to be so sweet. It seems so strange that he does not know how to play and is totally disinterested in toys and even took awhile to settle in with a cuddle. We just found out that he's going to need to have lots of teeth pulled, but is otherwise healthy. We're crate training to housebreak and it's going OK. We've only had him home for one day. We're a bit nervous about picking up the two cats and bringing them home tomorrow. Jack seems comfy in his crate. Any helpful hints on rescues would be appreciated!

[catstamm]

For introducing him to cats? no :( sorry...
but it does usually take 3 to 4 weeks for a dog to settle into a new enviroment.... and it is very important for you to stick to the rules while he is adjusting...so that he has a clear picture of the rules and what you expect from him ....Congratulations.... What? no pics :(

[Tucker's Mom]

Bless your :hearts: for bringing Jack into your home and giving him the love and attention that every dachsie so deserves. You are an :angel:

I know that, just like bringing home a brand new pup, consistency along with patience, persistence and lots of praise will help him to feel secure and settled.

[WeinerDogMom]

Our Miss Vanna is a puppy mill rescue and it took her a long time to play with any type of a toy and she still plays different than the boys who we've had since they were puppies. BUT you will find that Mr. Jack will SO appreciate everything, Miss Vanna is so unassuming and so sweet compared to my boys who "expect" everything:wonky: It will take time for him to adjust to his new life outside of a breeder but it won't take him long to know as my hubby says that "he hit the jackpot"! and will love his new life with you.

oh, and Miss Vanna does great with our cat, she's very submissive to her and likes to kiss her:hearts:

:thanx: for rescuing him!! lots of :rayz::rayz: for his teeth issues

[Homer]

Congratulations!! When we brought Peanut home the cats had a safe spot, upstairs where Peanut could not get to them. They came down when they were ready to meet her.

Don't forget pictures!!

[Dogmother]

Thanks for giving the sweet guy a home. I think it has already been said, consistancy is the most important thing of all. Adding him to my prayers and sending rays for a good dental procedure.

Terri

[dutchman]

Well this seems like as good a place as any to post a link to Aggie's Story (http://www.dachsie.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=25424&highlight=Aggie). The old members here know Aggie well for the newer member Aggie was my former mill mother rescue who I had the privilege of sharing my home with for twenty three all too short months. Perhaps you will find a few things in her story that might be of use.

[TessieMom]

I have 4 former mill dogs and each is different. Lots of time and love will work wonders. Take time to enjoy the little things. I would agree with letting the cats have a safe room and letting them set the timing. My brother and his wife just adopted Chip (another mill boy) in November and he is wonderful with their cat. He is also a cuddler, so you never know.

[doximom]

BOth of my rescues never knew what a toy was but they did come around I think it helped haveing another one here too.

[DixieDoodle]

We got D as a puppy so it isn't really the same. Although....we did make sure the cats litter box was OUT OF REACH and private for them. We didn't want them to have to worry about their "business". It is hard enough housetraining a dog.....and then if the already housetrained/litter trained cats get upset about another animal in their "business"....look out, you might be retraining them also!
So yes, keep litterboxes AWAY from the dog and let the cats have their safe place with their litterboxes nearby.
:goodluck: and we need pictures!!!!

[Patricia]

This is what I've done each time I brought a new dog into my family and we've never had a problem. I'll use Opie as an example. (He's the rescue dog we got last month.)

I have glass doors in my house so it's easy for me to separate my crew if need be. The rooms that have doors on them were the areas where Opie was free to run around. In the "open" rooms of the house (where the cats would hang out), I carried Opie. Each time I walked through these areas with him I brought him over to the cat (but not too close) and let them look at each other, talking gently to them both - introducing them to each other. Each day I let them get a little closer. After a few days of this I let them have limited interaction - always supervised - and we had no problems.

We are fortunate in that there is always someone home at my house so my crew is never unattended. I know most people don't have a house like that so if your crew will be on their own during the day, I would definitely keep your new dog and the cats separated until they are well introduced. The trick is to do it gradually. Let them get used to each other.

Congratulations on getting a rescue dog!!! :stars:

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Thanks for adopting a rescue--you have been given good advice.

[Heidi's Pam]

:angel9::angel9: Bless you for taking in this pup and giving him a good home. Someone sent me this article (http://www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com/mill-survivors.html#top) about issues encountered with mill dogs. There might be some things of interest in it too.
:goodluck: introducing the pup to the cats and keep us posted on his progress!

[catstamm]

I also have a mill girl, Miss Carlee....although you wouldn't know it now.... If you are interested in "help with training/handling mill dogs" I have info I could send you written by a terrific behaviorists that we work with.... PM me if you would like more info :)

[Travmakar]

Well this seems like as good a place as any to post a link to Aggie's Story (http://www.dachsie.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=25424&highlight=Aggie). The old members here know Aggie well for the newer member Aggie was my former mill mother rescue who I had the privilege of sharing my home with for twenty three all too short months. Perhaps you will find a few things in her story that might be of use.

Tom thanks for the link I will read Auggie's story. :hug2: