Hi Everyone!

I am brand new on this board. I've had several BTs in the past but I've never adopted a rescue from a puppy mill before. I recently decided to adopt 2 pups after the passing of our American Bulldog. They were surrendered by a puppy mill to a rescue group in GA.

I've only had them for 4 days so far and they are about 14 weeks old. Unfortunately, they did not have proper human socialization from the mill nor during the short time they were at the rescue. I can tell they are starting to come around a bit. They used to stay really far away from any humans- now, they are willing to approach my husband and I. However, as soon as we reach out our hands to try to pet or hold one of them, they would run away again. They seem to love being held - once we're able to get a hold of them. This is making housebreaking very challenging since we have to be able to train them to use the doggie door as well get them into the crate when it's time for naps. They've gotten along really well with my 3.5 yr old BT. I've been trying to use food as enticement but I also don't want them to become overweight from eating so much. I'd like to crate train them but I also believe they should be touched and held as much as possible since they're so afraid of people right now. They've already pee'd and pooped on our carpet because we've not been able to catch the little tykes in time to get them outside.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Marisa