Good for you for taking on a dog who needed a person so badly and who has so many challenges to overcome!

Tethering: if there is any chance he could bolt use a belt to hook the leash to instead of just the belt loop on your pants, those break really easy!!!

I would spend some time with him tethered and placing bits of food on your open palm, the top of your foot, your knee etc. I would totally ignore him while I did this not looking or talking or trying to pet him.

We did this with a pup who was terrified of everyone but us and he learned that people equaled food (YAY) really fast!

That way he can sniff you and explore you a little without feeling threatened. I remember it taking him almost an hour to take that first piece of chicken off of my moms knee, but once he got the first one it was a really fun and fast process.

I might also consider sleeping in a grungy shirt and then putting it in his crate so he smells you in his safe place, and maybe even just sitting with him tethered and reading out loud so he can get used to your voice without you actually talking to him.
He is totally overwhelmed right now and probably scared out of his wits, being a calming but confident and fair influence will really help him come out of his shell.

My foster dog years ago had similar crate behaviors. As sad as it is sometimes, you just have to drag them out of their crate in the beginning to get them to potty. We were using a vari kennel at the time and one of our best ways to motivate this foster out of his crate was to completely remove the top shell. It didn't spook him but it did remove the "it's safe in here" fear gaze from his eyes. At least we had to do this until he learned we weren't, nor any of the household appliances, chairs, shoes, etc weren't going to eat him. My best advice is to be as neutral to the fear moments as you can. Coaxing just feeds into their fears. Do your best to get the dog to walk on their feet, even a small drag step is better than having to carry the dog.

One thing that did help our foster get outside of the original trauma and start to use their nose outdoors as opposed to frozen fear was to drop warm cooked chicken breast chunks in the yard. We started flat hand, which he took. Then dropped on the lawn in front of him. Take a step... drop another. Eventually we started dropping them in the yard before we got out there. He'd sniff and find the two chunks... do his "business" ... sadly we couldn't praise this in the beginning without sending him out of his mind but you may find progress using a clicker instead of voice.

Best of luck with this one.

Again, thank you all for sharing your experiences and your encouragements. I am already very grateful for this community and am glad to be a part of it.

I just woke up (2:30am) to take Louie down to try potty again. He was still hesitant about coming out of his crate, but once I attached the leash to collar and led him he came right out (as opposed to digging in like hell last time). We got outside and there was a huge milk truck with its engine running on the normal path (left turn out of the building) so we went right instead. Not long after Louie went to a big potted plant and peed nice and long! I praised repeatedly ("good outside" in warm voice/excited voice) and then stayed out a little longer to see if he needed to go again. He didn't so I brought him back up. He's now in his crate and is moving his head around a bit more instead of just collapsing into a heap. Seems like he is watching me as I type away here. Definitely progress here! I left his water bowl in his crate but he hasn't drank yet. Will try to give him some more food in the morning. Back to sleep myself. Zzzz...

I once hit a dog with a leather switch for biting my friend. He was terrified of me for a few days . It was my mistake and not the dogs. But he paid for it. Any way, he would cower and look away from me etc. So I did some calming signals . (1) Look at him and blink your eyes delibrately and softly and look away. (2) Lick your lips (3) Yawn with a soft noise (4) Go sit next to him and be intrested in the floor and the carpet (5) The moment he looks at you , look away and yawn.(6) Dont try to force pet him , let him come up to you . Lay next to him and look the other way and wait for an opportunity for his nose or face to brush you.

Slowly he got over it (not completely) and now behaves somewhat normally. Even now when I give him a verbal correction (NO) he reacts differently than the other dogs. But these calming signals did help our relationship. You can see if this works.

 Quote:

I just woke up (2:30am) to take Louie down to try potty again. He was still hesitant about coming out of his crate, but once I attached the leash to collar and led him he came right out (as opposed to digging in like hell last time). We got outside and there was a huge milk truck with its engine running on the normal path (left turn out of the building) so we went right instead. Not long after Louie went to a big potted plant and peed nice and long!

Great job! As Connie and others have mentioned, try to resist the urge to pat him.(hard, I know) Keep it up with the periodic yummy treats. You have made great progress so far...

Morning update: My wife took him out this morning (Louie came out willingly once my wife attached the leash to collar and waved the leash around a lil) and he peed (3 times) and pooped (apparently very large). So things have gotten better already! Thank you all again for your advice and encouragements!

Hey Simon, its important now not to rush things. It can be easy to think everything is ok when they begin to respond to you but take your time.

 Quote: steve strom

Hey Simon, its important now not to rush things. It can be easy to think everything is ok when they begin to respond to you but take your time.

Thanks for the reminder. He's tethered to me now as I'm sitting on the couch surfing the web/typing away. He's constantly walking from one side to the other sniffing/looking, and he's even come to me a few times looking at me. Can't stay still very long. Tried to jump on the couch 2 times, had to give him a firm no and got him off. He's tried to walk to his crate many times but obviously the leash is not long enough. I think he feels more comfortable in his crate. Should I crate him or continue tethering? I also don't think he's used to the wooden floor yet (he tends to slip slowly when sitting down). I just got him an old bathmat which he's now laying down on. Let me know if there's anything I should be doing/watching out for. Thanks.

Edited by Simon Tai (07/01/2010 08:34 AM)
Edit reason: update

Personally, I would let him spend the time in the crate for a couple more days or so,maybe with the door open while your there. I think thats whats helped him settle in with you the most. You have plenty of time to work with him.

Yay for healthy pee and poop! He must feel much better getting all of that out.
He sounds like he is going to just fine with some time and patience!