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[aprilmusgrove]

My husband & I got a female corgi for my father-in-law about 3 weeks ago. We got her from a rescue center. She is ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS, but SO very scared. Whoever had her before had to of been mean to her. You can't raise your voice around her, make any sudden moves or raise your hand without it scareing her to death. It's so sad. She just shakes all the time. She is coming around some, but we still have a long way to go with her. She is 2 y/o. She has a very loving personality once she warms up to you, but she's still very unsure. Do you have any ideas on how we can help assure her that she's ok & SAFE! It breaks my heart to see her that way. My husband & I have a male 1 y/o & he is full of energy & loves everyone. I know she will probably never have that outgoing of a personality, but it would be nice to make her feel safe & secure. Any advise will be greatly appreciated. You can contact me @punkinseed_3@hotmail.com if you'd like. I'm open to any suggestions anyone may have to help our little Lollie Pop feel safe with us.

Thanks,
April Musgrove

[corgimom]

April,

How wonderful that you rescued this girl and how sad that someone before you treated her in such a way that she is now so afraid. I had adopted a 2 year old Corgi a long time ago and she is now gone. Sounds like you are very caring and will provide a great home for her. We have someone on this forum who does rescues and she will probably be able to help you out a lot. Good luck with her.

Linda

[glencorgi]

April,

What did the rescue group tell you about Lollie Pop's background? I wouldn't necessarily leap to the conclusion someone had been mean to her based on her behavior alone. There are certain backgrounds of dogs that behave the same as Lollie because they have never had real human interaction and socialization. It is almost a feral mentality. This could be a whole new world to her, living in a house, humans speaking to her, shoot even paying attention to her. She could be shell shocked. Her genetic temperament will also be a factor.

How long had she been at the rescue center? Was she in a foster home? Did they give you any information about how she did there?

Three weeks, well she's still adjusting to being "home." She is one that is going to need LOTS of patience and time it sounds like. How is she with your male corgi? Do you take him to visit with her? He could help build her confidence about people letting her watch him just being himself enjoying being petted and played with.

IF she were coming to me for foster care, the first thing I would do is let her be. I would set her up a nice safe spot - a cozy bed or crate or some spot that was hers and just kind of leave her alone and let her come to me for the most part. I would sit and visit with her for brief periods of time and treat her for "letting me visit." As she got braver and ventured out, then I would nonchalantly acknowledge her, praise her for being brave and treat her. I might try to see if she was interested in toys or a ball and see if she could be enticed to play for a brief time. It can be a very slow process, small steps, lots of low-key type praise and treats. When one might take a lot of treating, then to watch the weight, scale back on the amount of food she's fed a meal times.

Any behavior that is normal and we'd take for granted in most corgis might take a ton of courage on her part. Seeing that these things make her humans happy can encourage her to keep doing them.

IF I get a little more about her background, then I might have some other suggestions and I'll keep thinking on it.

Debbie, aka - the rescue lady?

[CorgiMum]

Originally Posted by glencorgi

Debbie, aka - the rescue lady?

Yes you are.

April, Debbie has given you excellent ideas on how to help your new girl become more comfortable and confident. Good luck. And please keep us posted as to how she is doing.

We would love to see a picture of her too.

[Michael Romanos]

It's good that I can say the obvious. Three weeks is just the start of what will be a lengthy haul to build up your Corgis confidence and trust. If she has made some improvement already, then that's ample progress.

\I'm sorry to harp on the same example - but my latest story on a 2 year old dog that went missing in the mountains for eight weeks, and fended for himself the whole time - took over three months to get back to his normal self once reunited with his family. So don't worry about three weeks - if your Corgi is still as timid etc after three months as she was when you got her, then that calls for a reassessment.

But in the meantime it is good to seek further assistance. Debbie and co are committed helpers of these kind of cases.

[aprilmusgrove]

Linda, Thank you for your response. We both just have a special place for those little creatures. They are so fun & very dedicated. We have truely enjoyed ours & hope that Lollie pop will come around enough that we can enjoy her as much as we do Shorty. We enjoy her now, but it's so sad to see her afraid like she is. My father-in-law called me this morning & said that after we can Sunday & spent some time with her she was doing better. My husband & Shorty got out in the yard & ran & played, it wasn't long til she joined in. My father-in-law said she has every morning since went out side with no problem & played to her hearts content. He said it made a HUGE differnece in her. So I think we are making some progress, it's just a slow go with it.

Thanks again for your response.

April Musgrove

Originally Posted by corgimom

April,

How wonderful that you rescued this girl and how sad that someone before you treated her in such a way that she is now so afraid. I had adopted a 2 year old Corgi a long time ago and she is now gone. Sounds like you are very caring and will provide a great home for her. We have someone on this forum who does rescues and she will probably be able to help you out a lot. Good luck with her.

Linda

[corgimom]

April,

What good news! I hope She continues to blossom into the wonderful girl
that she can become.

Linda

[Michael Romanos]

Just to give this thread some balance, I'll relate this piece to you.
My last Pem Corgi named Hadlee was a lovely fellow and lived til he was 15. But the very first time he saw my Mother and she didn't use a soft voice with him, Hadlee tried to run up the wall. From then until the day he died, he never liked my Mother and would never advance towards her, though he tolerated a pat or a stroke from her but did not reciprocate with any enthusiasm . and he steered away from her constantly even though she always tried to make a fuss of him.

[Fluffypants]

April - that's WONDERFUL!!!!

ps - I love your corgis names! Too cute!