[lemoncakes]

Hi - would appreciate some advice. We brought home our new dog yesterday, he is a lab mix about 1.5 years old. So far his temperament seems very good and we are having no housebreaking issues. He was a stray so I have no idea what his life was like before or if he experienced any trauma.

The only issue I've seen so far is, he refuses to go in any other room than our living room. Our bottom floor is shaped like a U with the foyer/staircase in the middle. The living room is on the left and the dining room/kitchen/door to backyard is on he right. He seems afraid to cross over the threshold to the other side.

I know he needs to get used to everything so I'm not sure at what pace to try to train him. Right now I'm just leaving it alone as I don't want to put any additional pressure on him. I did put some treats on the floor past the threshold and he picked up the first one but shows no interest in going any further.

He also won't go upstairs which is where the bedrooms are. We'd really like for him to eventually sleep in his dog bed in our bedroom.

Any tips on how to approach this in the coming weeks? As I said I kind of don't want to rock the boat right now as he doesn't really know or trust us yet. Also he's getting neutered on Tuesday so I thought we should wait until he's past that as well.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dibbythedog]

Well one for adopting an unwanted dog and Congratulations.
Whats his name?
. Its only been a day so I think you should trust your instincts and let him come round in his own time. I would carry on leaving a few treats down.

 

[lemoncakes]

Thanks. I know I need to be patient but I just want to do everything right He seems pretty happy and relaxed otherwise as long as he's in the living room so I think he'll eventually come around. We named him Ranger (in honor of the NY Rangers)

 

[Laco]

I too think he will eventually, as he becomes more secure, venture into more and more rooms. When we first brought Samantha home, she was a one year old rescue, she refused to go upstairs. Took probably 3 to 4 weeks, before she would tackle the stairs, now six years later, the entire house is hers, all three levels. Takes time, remember your dog just had his entire life and all he knew turned upside-down, he is still trying to figure out what happened to him, why, and how he now fits in. Big task, and it will take time.

 

[S0Belle]

Congratulations on the new member of the family. It does take time for them to become accustomed to their new surroundings and they will start to explore once they feel comfortable. Also, just a note, that some dogs don't know how to go up and down stairs. When i was growing up, we had a doberman and we had to teach him how to go up and down the stairs as well as how to swim. Once he got it though, there was no stopping him! Good luck!

 

[dibbythedog]

Ranger, I like his name,

Another point is the surface of the floors, if you have wooden floors he might find it hard to grip the surface or find it uncomfortable.

 

[SusanLynn]

Congrats and welcome to the Dog Forum!

Since you've just brought home your new dog, please keep in mind that he's probably still in a bit of shock. This article is a terrific read for the owners of newly adopted dogs as it gives some perspective on how long it takes for an adopted dog to settle in:

Three Ways to Confuse a New Dog

I would also recommend Patricia McConnell's book:

Love Has No Age Limit-Welcoming an Adopted Dog into Your Home: Patricia B. McConnell Ph.D., Karen B. London Ph.D.: 9781891767142: Amazon.com: Books



Lastly, DibbyDog has a good point that the flooring surfaces may be problematic if he's not used to walking on them. Have your vet check and cut his nails for him when you bring him in for his neutering.

 

[mathilda]

just leave it be. He'll come around eventually.

Sancho needed months to over come his fear of the basement.
We focused on the relationship building and then bit by bit with a house leash, patience, loads of treats and praise we got him used to the basement.

 

[LucytheCheagle]

Just give him some time my Cheagle was nervous to go past the kitchen, where her food was, at first. You have a few options,

1. Wait until he decides he is ready
2. Take him by leash or by carrying into the other rooms with you for very small periods of time (gradually increase)
3. Entice him to the other rooms with treats and toys!