New Shih Tzu, was a breeder...

[Mom to Lil Buddy]

I had been talking about another Shih Tzu, primarily one my mother could lift to sit in her lap. (Max is to heavy and refuses to jump). Now we have Koko, a retired puppy mill mama, who was initially purchased directly from mill. The groomer convinced that owner to let her have her, (it was not a good situation for any dog).

I have had her two nights now. I am learning first hand about rescue dogs. She is anxious to be petted, but just not trusting enough to come all the way up to us yet. She runs from the leash, and cowers down when she knows she is going to get caught, or sometimes even if someone walks by. She does come fairly well to her name.

I only hope that as she becomes more socialized she is going to get along with Max.

In the three months thw groomer has had her she only recently barked at one of the other dogs near her food dish. Well, she has barked three times at Max, twice when he just came near her, and once during the night when he was near her bed, trying to get to his. It doesn't sound like an aggressive bark, but it isn't a playful bark either.

I have to take Max's bed up during the day, as she won't stay out of it. One of my friends on another board, said I need to let Max do everything first, eat, out the door etc.

I sure hope that I am not in over my head. I need suggestions on how to help her develop a trusting relationship. The groomer said that Max needed more doggie socialization also.

[skunkstripe]

Looks like we have something in common, because Sophia (the red dog in my avatar) was momma in a puppymill.

When we got her she did not know how to go up and down stairs, what toys were for and did not know what to do with a BONE. The first night she woke up about 10 times and went running all over the house, I had to get up and lie down on the floor with her so she would calm down.

She did not eat for three days.

For the first few weeks she would fling herself at our feet every 90 seconds or so. And like your rescue, she would want to be petted but as soon as you got near her she would shy away.

So I can tell you that she will be ok, but you need a lot of love and patience. No harsh words. Be on the lookout for submissive urination. It took Sophia about 1 yr and now people say that they cannot believe she is the same dog.

And yes, you need to enforce who is alpha. In our house Zircon gets everything (food, treats etc) first.

Good luck to you.