[Helene]

Hello, I adopted a 5 year old Standard Poodle almost 6 months ago (Wynn) . She was a brood mare and knew no commands. She was house trained however. I have 2 other dogs, an 11 year old English Setter and a 6 year old Siberian Husky. They all get along very well. The problem is that Wynn is scared of me and my husband, especially to come to us. I have succeeded in training her to sit and stay when on a leash but getting her to come is impossible. She is scared of offered treats. She still has nightmares at night (wakes up howling) although they are getting less frequent.
Overall, she is a happy pup who likes to play and there has been very slow improvement (she comes to us both to be petted if we are sitting down) . Can anyone tell me how many more months or years it will take before I can train her to come?

 

[Shadowfox]

Depends on the individual. But, I wonder if you have tried calling her with your body to the side versus head-on? Sitting on the floor, with your shoulder to her, and calling? Her reluctance to come, and to accept offered treats from hands; people's bodies tend to be facing her head on in those scenarios. She might be finding that intimidating.

How long she takes kind of depends on her, but a guesstimate depends on what happens if she is called like that.

You could also try shaping the come-you call, she comes a step or two, maybe even just looks at you, and you toss her a treat--not from your hand. After awhile, you ask for a little more. If it was originally a look, then a step towards you. If a step, a couple more closer. And you just keep slowly, at her pace, closing the distance.

 

[dogslife]

Hello, I adopted a 5 year old Standard Poodle almost 6 months ago (Wynn) . She was a brood mare and knew no commands. She was house trained however. I have 2 other dogs, an 11 year old English Setter and a 6 year old Siberian Husky. They all get along very well. The problem is that Wynn is scared of me and my husband, especially to come to us. I have succeeded in training her to sit and stay when on a leash but getting her to come is impossible. She is scared of offered treats. She still has nightmares at night (wakes up howling) although they are getting less frequent.
Overall, she is a happy pup who likes to play and there has been very slow improvement (she comes to us both to be petted if we are sitting down) . Can anyone tell me how many more months or years it will take before I can train her to come?

Where does she sleep?

 

[agility collie mom]

@Curls Suggestions for this sweet poodle rescue.

 

[Helene]

Depends on the individual. But, I wonder if you have tried calling her with your body to the side versus head-on? Sitting on the floor, with your shoulder to her, and calling? Her reluctance to come, and to accept offered treats from hands; people's bodies tend to be facing her head on in those scenarios. She might be finding that intimidating.

How long she takes kind of depends on her, but a guesstimate depends on what happens if she is called like that.

You could also try shaping the come-you call, she comes a step or two, maybe even just looks at you, and you toss her a treat--not from your hand. After awhile, you ask for a little more. If it was originally a look, then a step towards you. If a step, a couple more closer. And you just keep slowly, at her pace, closing the distance.

Thank you, good tips, we will try them!

Where does she sleep?.

She sleeps in the sunroom with my 2 other dogs.

 

[Curls]

Oh, poor girl. It sounds like she got a rough start. I really couldn't say how long it will take her to come around. Being a poodle, she will be very sensitive and have a very long memory. However, I think her issues are probably common to a puppy mill veteran of any breed. I found some links on dealing with puppy mill rehabilitation projects:

Puppy Mill Rescue Dogs: Transition to Home Life

Download this document as a PDF This resource helps with adopted puppy mill rescue dogs, including advice on crate- and house-training, socialization, separation anxiety, gaining trust and more.

resources.bestfriends.org

https://ragom.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Understanding-and-Caring-for-Puppy-Mill-Dogs.pdf