Q: We have inherited Grandma's 15 month old "mutt" - who is part Lhasa Apso. Grandma had her as a puppy, sold her to a family with school-age kids due to Grandpa's health, then bought the dog back after Grandpa died. Grandma has had her back for less than 2 months, and now wants to travel, so that's where we come in the picture.
Tara was taken to the vet within 24 hours of us obtaining her. She had the worst ear infection the vet had ever seen and a mild case of fleas. Two days later we were back for shots (behind in those too) and then had her groomed (she never was).
I know this dog is going to need some adjusting time. New house, kids, and new rules. I suspect by her actions that the owners in between Grandma had hit her. What can I expect as far as adjustment time? We are going to Disney at the end of February, and I am going to ask a friend of ours to house-sit for the week so she doesn't have the added trauma of going to the kennel. Any suggestions?
A: She needs a structured schedule, so she can learn to count on things and learn what to expect. She needs things quiet and low-stress for now. If she did well for the groomer that is an excellent sign. I would try to arrange a groomer visit every 2 weeks for awhile, so she gets comfortable with it, and so it won't hurt. Use a good groomer, someone with a fine reputation. Try to comb her out every day, so she doesn't get any tangles, and gets comfortable having you handle her.
Get her into a training class, a gentle one. Until you can start class, try the exercises in the paperback book The Canine Good Citizen, by Jack and Wendy Volhard. It's humane, effective, and you can do it at home -- but she needs class, too.
You didn't mention whether you are seeing signs of aggression in the dog. In that case, hard to say about adjustment -- since you have kids, a professional evaluation of the dog would be advisable. Your vet could probably recommend someone locally to evaluate her.
If she is showing shyness, trying to avoid people, don't pressure her, and definitely don't let the kids do it. Give her a place to be, where the kids know strictly never to bother her, such as a crate or small room. Don't let people force themselves on her. Mealtimes are a good way to work on getting a dog to approach you -- you can carry the dish with you, backing away from her, getting her to come to you, feeding her one piece of food at a time.
Another way to encourage a dog to interact with people is play. They throw or roll a ball or other toy from somewhere in front of her nose out away from her, so she can follow it if she chooses. To encourage her to bring the toy to you, move away from her, not toward her. Play can become a powerful bridge to form a relationship with a dog. Let the dog progress at her own speed, without pressure.
Most dogs need at least 14 hours of sleep a day. If yours is a busy household, she needs a private place for resting. Putting her crate in the adult bedroom at night is usually a good idea.
I think the petsitting is a wise plan. I hope it all goes well.