Hello.  I have enjoyed reading many of the messages and ask please for your help and suggestions for the little guy who has now been with me four days.  A little background:

I was told that for his first two years, Jaxon was owned by an alcoholic couple, kept in a small room, and frequently beaten with his leash and collar, and who knows what else.  They were going to have him killed when he was rescued by a couple who tried to help him recover from his experiences.  During their four years with him, he learned to sit, walk on a leash, stay in his crate when they were gone - in short, helped him become the sweetest little guy imaginable.  Now, the husband is recovering from cancer surgery and they needed to find a new home for their 'Jack.'  I learned about him through the Pet Samaritan Fund and received him from the couple this week.  My previous companion was a dachshund/chihuahua mix whom I received when when she was 1 1/2 from the Humane Society. After two bouts with cancer, deafness and blindness, we had to say goodbye for this life two years ago.  She was 14 and dearly loved.  Having Jaxon now is such a joy.  He is 6, a Type A with long graceful legs, black and tan head, white body with large black patches and dappled/spotted areas.  They were feeding him Science Diet Adult small bites; he loves baby carrots. 

The problems: He is frightened of so many things - noise, an outside lead, noise of the shower, sight of a vacuum in the room.  I have never seen a dog shake as he does.  If I raise my voice at all, he cowers helplessly, so I'm just trying to reassure him for now.  He is supposed to be housebroken.  He has peed in the house twice to my knowledge and has pooped in different places every day.  I walk and walk him - and he now will go out on the patio or lawn and likes to lie in the sun.

He is such a sweet little guy and I am so glad to have his  companionship but puzzled how best to help him.  It breaks my heart to see him so afraid.  I would really appreciate any suggestions about breed characteristics (ratties are new to me), food, ways to calm him......how to help with bathroom habits without scaring him more . . .   Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. 

Now we will try another walk. . . .

Hi and welcome!  Bless you for taking this little guy into your home.  I don't have any advice for you, but I am sure that once Nora or one of the others with training experience sees your post they will respond with great advice. 

I have found that if you just act confident and self assured that he will start looking at you to judge his reaction to different situations.  Like big bad vacuum no big deal pretty soon he should look at as no big deal all the coddling and comforting can reinforce scared feelings.  As for food check out some of the threads in the health/diet forums  Welcome to the site and thank you for rescuing a rattie at 6 years old I don't think of him as a senior but in his prime!!!!  Oh we need pictures we love pictures!!!

Bless you for taking in this little guy! Jack will be a great companion for you. I don't have training advice. Nora, or others will respond soon enough. You've had dogs before right? They are the same. Patience! Repitition! Consistancy! Ratties are a little stubborn, but sooo smart! Good luck with your new 'baby'. We wanna see pics!!

Thanks for your comments so far, everyone.  He finally pooped outside - hooray! 

Actually, many ratties live to 17-19 years old so he is a YOUNG rat terrier!

Just be patient with him...in time he will get better.  He's been through so much a  young age....the beatings have left their emotional marks...now he has to adjust to a new home after being in a good home for a while.  The changes are hard for him but thank you for giving him this chance!

Walking is great for him...will help him potty outside and build his confidence both in himself and in you as pack leader.  Lots of reassurance is needed for him in general but be careful not to reinforce his fear by "talking baby talk" when he's scared....this may make him think there IS something to be afraid of...just act matter-of-fact when, for example, you get the vacum out.

Keep him out until he potties...praise like heck when he goes...the basic things you would do with a puppy.  His world has been thrown out of whack so to speak...he needs time.

Bless you for taking in a senior. It is so rewarding!! My old Sasha lived to 19, and I adopted her when she was 13. She was dumped at my local shelter. It never ceases to annoy me that people can jump a dog like that who's been a member of their family for so long.

Thanks so much, everyone!  The problem is - if I kept him out until he decided to potty, we would live outside - he loooveees to be out in the sun - just sits or lies down and bakes.  I hope time will improve things.

Last night, after our 'successful' walk, his belly was bright pink - almost red under his arms.  He rubs his nose on the bed too.  I've given him a half Benadryl for allergies but I don't know how often he can have it - or if something else would be better.  He sneezes a little too and bites at his legs.  Any help? 

Thanks for the age info too.  The former 'mom' called him senior and fed him adult food and I couldn't find how long their life expectancy on line. 

What do you feed him?  His reaction could possibly be due to a food allergy...