We just tried to take Louie out for a walk, and he seemed unwilling. He kept trying to duck back into the crate, and we basically had to drag him out so that we can take him outside to pee. Is there anything we can do to encourage him to come out? We tried some treats...but he seems to have no food drive currently. Is there anything else we can do? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

Did he go out and pee?

I just took him out for 25-30 minutes but no pee. We walked around to the back of the building where there's less car traffic, but he seems interested in just staring at things (cars, places with noise, people, etc). He also sniffed around a few cars and some plants/soil along the sidewalk (first time he's tried to sniff around/explore), but no pee. I stood around and kinda ignored him while he did his thing, only walking him around here and there so he could explore. When we got back into the apartment he went back to his crate. I put his water bowl and a small bowl of food in his crate but he hasn't touched it. He's laying down again with his head on his legs and looking at me while I'm typing this. No movement. Just a lil blink here and there.

I guess I will try taking him out again in an hour. Also on the way back he was mesmerized with cars and when I pulled on the leash he tried to dig in. I ended up giving him a few pops on the leash and he came but looked scared. And in the elevator he hid behind me as there was another person in there. Anyways that's what's going on.

Please let me know what I'm doing right/wrong here as I'm unsure what's right/wrong at this point. Thanks.

I think he's sleeping now (his eyes are closed). Should I wake him up to take him out every hour until bedtime so hopefully he'll try to pee? Or wait till tomorrow morning (it will have been 12+ hours at that point)? Or take him out later in the middle of the night?

I think you getting up in a few hours and giving him the chance to go potty is far better (for him, not so much for you) than having to hold for 12 hours or soiling himself. As Connie said... all calm and not really looking at him.

Kudos for taking in this pup. Just pretend you have a new baby in the house and may not get as much sleep as normal for a bit, but then you have a GREAT family addition.

 Quote: Barbara Schuler

I think you getting up in a few hours and giving him the chance to go potty is far better .... Just pretend you have a new baby in the house and may not get as much sleep as normal for a bit, but then you have a GREAT family addition.

Ditto!

Also, please remember that he is overwhelmed. He has no idea who you are, what he's doing there, what's going to happen next, whether he is safe or not, and much more.

That is, don't make any assumptions about his personality or biddability at this
time.

In a couple of weeks you will hardly remember the awkward first few days. Truly -- virtually all dogs will adjust and fit in unless they are seriously damaged, and nothing at all you have posted rings any alarms for me!

Hi Simon,

New sites, new sounds, new smells, and a leash!
No pee, no poop,in the beginning, is very common with the rescues I have had.

 Quote: Simon Tai

I think he's sleeping now (his eyes are closed). Should I wake him up to take him out every hour until bedtime so hopefully he'll try to pee? Or wait till tomorrow morning (it will have been 12+ hours at that point)? Or take him out later in the middle of the night?

Ditto what Barbara said. Take him out in an hour, and again another hour after that if he does not pee. Do you have a long leash (length of rope, maybe?)that you could use as a long line to give him a little more distance from you? Perhaps he's uncomfortable being so close at this point.

Can you take any bits of real food on your walk, to coax him to move without popping the leash? Bits of chicken or steak, or any other meat source, or small pieces of cheese may tempt him more than dog treats.

What should I do if he doesn't want to come out? Do I force/drag him out like I did before? Or is there some other way? (he's not interested in food/etc at the moment)

Hi Simon,
I can't give much advice but I can offer encouragement. One of my neighbors rescued a SATO dog a few years ago. They live next to an aqueduct I run my dogs on almost every day, so I see the dog often. At first, the SATO was so incredibly nervous, she would try to bolt as soon as she saw someone coming. She looked miserable, kind of cowering on the edge of the leash as the owner urged her along. A few months after she was adopted, I saw the owner playing ball with the dog. The dog still avoided any contact with other people, but she seemed to be enjoying game of fetch. When we see them walking their dog now, the dog is still very nervous of any unknown dogs or people, and will bolt back to her yard with her tail tucked, but the owners seem to have a great relationship with the dog. They are very happy with her, and she is loving and playful once she gets to know you.
It took time to bring this dog out of her shell, but it was neat to see it happen.
Keep up what you're doing and try to take one day at a time.