I just got a new rat terrier on Saturday and I'm starting to get very worried. She's been acting very lethargic and depressed and I'm not 100% sure what I should do. This might get lengthy but I wan't to describe my situation in full to see if you guys think you can help at all.

I bought her from a woman on craigslist. She said she was a rescue and has had her shots. I met her and picked her up. Immedeatly she seemed depressed but the lady said she didn't like the long car ride it took to get there and once she gets home she'll be bouncing around everywhere. The whole ride home she sat in the passenger seat, unmoving and not really responding to anything. It was the same thing when I took her home. She sat with me on the couch and didn't really move at all. I had to sit with her and coax her to eat a little bit of food and some water. Towards the end of the night she was getting better. She was starting to follow me around the house but she was still very calm, quiet and lethargic. Anytime I sat down she would sit next to me and not move. I had read on wikipedia and a few other sites that sometimes they take a while to get used to a new environment so I assumed that was the problem.

The next day she was acting the same. She hardley moved unless I left the room, in which case she would follow me. She's very sweet and seems to like cuddling but it just doesn't seem to be how a 5 month old puppy should act. I would think she should be running around, chewing on things, etc. The only thing that makes her happy is when I take her outside. She loves to play outside. She will chase me around wagging her tail and having funny, but the second we go back inside she's back to being depressed. She rarely even wags her tail inside. I love taking her outside and we play every day but when I bring her back inside her mood immedeatly changes.

She's also very skittish. There are a couple of rooms in the house she's afraid to go into. I have to coax her to make it through the dining room. I also always have to coax her to eat. She eats a little more and more each time so that's good but I still have to sit with her for 20 or 30 minutes encouraging her to eat.

All in all she seems to be slowly getting better. She follows me around and she's eating more but she still is very lethargic and seems depressed. She sits with me and barely moves. Do you guys have any suggestions? I really don't know what to do

Have you taken her to your vet? I am NO expert, but, from what I have seen, heard, read, these dogs are EXTREMELY sensitive. Some of them simply take awhile to "warm up" to a new environment. Daxter's Mom just mentioned the fear of being inside the house but fine outside issue in another post about recall. My advice, for what it's worth, is definitely do not coddle her when she is being fearful. This reinforces the fearful behavior. Just carry on as normal and she will catch on. That being said, you need to make sure she gets a clean bill of health from YOUR vet.

A pup should be prety active.  I would get in to see a vet ASAP.  Did you get anyhting in writing about what shots you pup has had?  Or about heartworm testing or any other testing for parasites?

Welcome.  I would say a trip to the vet.  If for nothing else to establish the general health of your new addition.  Please keep us posted and visit often with updates.  Pictures are also great.

I can't wait to see pics!!!

Good Luck, I hope she gets a clean bill of health. From what I have seen a lot of rescue dogs (unless severly traumatized) do well when they go to their foster or forever home. The Lathargic nature concerns me as well as she should be active. If the vet gives her a clean bill of health maybe a little confidence boosting will be needed, positive reinforcment of the good and ignore the bad. Good luck to you@@

Let us know how the trip to the vets goes. Can't wait to see your pup!

Glad to hear that Yumiko got a clean bill of health.  She is a real cutie. 

AAACCCKKK, She is so so so cute~!!!!!!!!!

She is really sweet!! I love her ears. It is very good to hear that she is doing fine.