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Today we took in 2 foster dogs from the local SPCA. They are the only two dogs who survived a 21 dog seizure from a very bad situation. These two were found starving, locked in a grain bin. The owner (who is currently in bad shape in the hospital from health reasons) would occasionally throw deer carcass' in there and when the little jack russell was found it's legs and belly were red from the blood from the deer. Both dogs have facial scars (probably from fighting over food).

We have them for approximately 6 weeks to attempt to socialize them and train them so that they would be adoptable. The one is a Jack Russell cross and the other appears to be a cross with Terrier and Papillon (spelling?). How do I train two dogs that have not been outside for god knows how long - being outside terrifies them right now and a leash......they don't like them! I actually switched to more of a harness tonight and they don't mind that as much as it is not around their necks. I just let them walk around while I supervise them with the harness on and a leash - just so they get used to it - Emma, the Jack Russell isn't quite as terrified of the leash anymore but I still cannot get them outside to walk around. They pee on the floor in our heated shop and as soon as Mojo started to pee, I calmly picked her up and took her outside but she would not pee. I took her back in and she pooped. Mojo is around 4 years old and Emma about 1. They have no socialization skills as far as playing but to my surprise they did crawl on my lap, on their own free will, and fell asleep tonight. Any suggestions on the leash problem as well as potty training? Thanks.

The harness is a good method for right now with these two. Just letting them pull the weight of a leash on that for starters. Bring out the treats and see if you can get them to be lured outside and make outside a fun place to be. Maybe if you can get them itno a fenced in area (carry them there) and let them run a bit so it's not leash outside.

BE patient, treat them like 6 week old puppies and introduce new things slowly and with as little fear as possible.

Good luck and keep us posted on their progress.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Thank you - yes they run around with the leash dragging and it doesn't scare them so much. When I want them to go outside I get excited and try to get them excited to go out and it is working - I walked them to the dog run (20 x 50) fenced in area and they ripped around and actually peed and pooped - both of them - they got praise and a small treat. I was happy. Now when I take them out we put on the harness, go outside to the dog run and they go to the bathroom and then we come back - I am trying to establish a routine for them. But I will keep you posted so far they are doing far better than I imagined!

That's great to hear that they are doing so well. Keep up the good work and I'm 100% sure things will get better with, time, love, patience, and well, a sence of humor.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles