After always wanting a dog, now I have my first one.  Meet Jewel, a 19-month old female Standard Poodle.  She was presented to me as needing re-homing.  One thing led to another, and well…  Somehow she ended up in my truck.  



So let’s talk about “jumping in the deep end.”  I knew Jewel was neglected.  Her hair was 1.5-2x the length of my middle fingers.  (And the HK MK23 fits me like a glove.)  Tons of matting everywhere.  The hair around each paw was about the size of one of my palms.  She smelled awful.  Her nails were long enough that the groomer cut them in half and said more should be done later.  I was advised the “big” reason for the re-home was that she didn’t get along with the owner’s other two more rambunctious dogs.

Since then, Jewel got trimmed down to what you see in the photo above.  And two baths.  But then I had her checked by a vet.  Based on her behavior and extreme timidity, it appears she was abused too.

1.  Jewel has no idea how to play.  The toy doesn’t matter; she doesn’t understand play.  I had one of those squeaking pigs.  I squeaked it at her a few times, and she was confused.  But when I squeaked it moderately loud, Jewel nearly jumped out of her skin in fear.

2.  I let Jewel run around my (fully fenced) rear yard.  She chased me for a little.  But when I turned to chase her, she got this look of terror, started yelping, and fled.  I quickly stopped and sat down at her level.  Jewel came back to me and got lots of reassurance, love, and pets.  

3.  Jewel had an accident in her new house.  No big deal, AND she had it on the boot scraping mat!  But she was cowering and shaking in the corner.  Lots of gentle talk, petting, etc., and she relaxed.

As advertised, she is definitely a love bug.  Jewel is on the sofa next to me now, sleeping away.  And I was warned that she didn’t do well with other loud dogs.  But seeing signs of abuse is a surprise and unexpected.  I only got her last Saturday 12/09 and she’s already sleeping on me; it’s clear she likes me.  What should I do to help her through some of the BS she’s been through?

I’m not one to back away from a challenge, but this is my first dog.  I’m not up on rehabilitating abused animals.

Jewel seeing her rear yard for the first time.  (I live on an acre and the rest half is fully fenced.)



Laying on the couch and sleeping on me.  She had only known me for three days.



Sleeping at the foot of my bed.  She’s sleeping a TON, but I’m told that’s a normal stress reaction for re-homed dogs.  That and there aren’t two other rambunctious dogs keeping her constantly on guard.

Thank you, everybody!  I appreciate your good wishes and advice.

Jewel is sleeping snuggled next to me on my sofa, using my left hand and arm as a pillow.  She’s a real love bug.



Updates:

1.  I have learned that she has an amazing prey drive (squirrels, rabbits, and a mouse in my parent’s garage).  I haven’t allowed her to catch anything, as I don’t need a dog with worms.  But she’s definitely the mighty huntress!

2.  She is territorial.  When she was in my truck today, I opened the door to introduce her to a client.  LOTS of growling, but no snapping or anything.  She was fine before with just me and was fine after with just me.  Later, I brought her into a store.  She and the ladies in there adored each other.  This evening, she made her presence known (barking) with a food delivery.  But no growling or anything; just a good watch dog bark.

So yes, training is needed.  I probably won’t do boarding training, but I will retain a professional to help.  Jewel is loving with me and friendly to others outside of her space.  Given how two other dogs pushed her around, I get it.

Jewel loves doggy sausage sticks.  I break them into little pieces as rewards.  She just wants to please, so lots of little pieces have been given out.    Right now it’s about calm, love, confidence, and positive reinforcement.

@darkpaladin1 - Thank you.  Sadly, those hypotheses track with what little I know I’d get former owner and her ex.