Most abused and/or neglected dogs can be helped. Abused dogs have been taught not to trust the human race. We need to teach them that they can trust us. In thinking about it in human terms, once someone has broken our trust, it takes a while for us to trust that person again. So with a dog it will take them a while to learn to trust humans again too. If you are working with a rescue organization, there are times that you need to determine if the baggage of the dog is too great to benefit the dog or a potential adopter.
My experience has been limited, but I have helped a couple of dogs. What I found to work best was to live my life as I normally would and let the dog start to trust that nothing bad was going to happen. This takes time.
My first experience was with a dog that had been kept in a kennel all of her life. She saw a person at feeding time and that was about it. When I brought her home and turned on the television, she hit the floor. It took me a second to realize that she had never seen a television. She was a year old and had no training or socialization. She had never been hit but was severly neglected when it came to socialization. She was afraid of everything, but was not a fear biter. I housebroke her and just let her adjust to her new surroundings. About her second Christmas with me, she was helping to open the presents literally. After two years I placed her with a family that loved her for the rest of her life. Most rescues do not have the option of keeping a dog for two years, so she was a private adoption that worked out. It just took time.
My second positive experience was with an abused dog. It appeared that he had been hit numerous times from his reactions to certain movements. The constant look of fear was in his eyes. You couldn't put your hand over his head without him hitting the floor or running away. If you raised your voice, he headed for the door. He always thought he was in trouble. There was something about him though that told me he wanted to trust, he had just never been given a reason to trust. He is my Abba.
He, too, was not housebroke. We started there. If he hit the floor for fear I was going to hit him, I gave him a hug instead. An example of this would be unwinding the flexi-leash from around him, he thought the handle of the flexi was going to hit him because it was over his head. I hugged him once I realized this. I also began to move a little slower doing different movements that I noticed frightened him, so he could adjust to me. If it was not him that I was raising my voice at, I encouraged him to come back and I gave him a hug. If it was him I was raising my voice at and he wanted out, I let him out. He knew I was upset with him, no more disciplining needed to take place. The only thing that he still has not gotten over after two years is when you rip Saran wrap or tin foil from its holder - he goes to the other side of the room. He used to leave the room. So he is better but I still cannot get him to investigate the holder even if I put it on the floor.
It was evident to me that whenever he met a male human being, the fear in his eyes got worse. So whenever possible, I had him meet men and have a positive experience. I always made a big deal (got excited) and told him he was a "good boy". He now lets men check his bite.
Each neglected/abused dog is different and you need to look for symptoms of what they are fearful of and then find ways to have the dog experience positive things about the action they are afraid of.
Don't expect the dog to be better after two weeks. It could take two months, two years or maybe never. But remember, his/her life is better than before you took him!
So in summary,
1. Give the dog time to trust again.
2. Don't punish more than is necessary.
3. Move slowly around the dog.
4. Live your life as normal as possible.
5. Show the dog lots of affection, but on their terms.
If you have specific questions about an abused/neglected dog that you are caring for, please feel free to e-mail me!
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