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This is the beginning of breaking down the barrier of distrust he has built concerning human interaction. Work with him until he comes immediately upon command, and also shower him with loving praise and a treat for this desired behavior.
Now that you have his trust, begin to walk him on a leash allowing the dog to interact with other people and dogs. Do this at a pace you and the dog feel comfortable with. This is the beginning of his socialization training so never push the dog. He will set the pace for this as his trust of you grows, and he learns he can also begin to trust other humans.
If the dog shows timid traits avoid the use of a clicker. Never bend down towards the dog when working with him because this is likely to be interpreted by the dog physical abuse is coming.
Try these tips when you start training an abused dog and remember to go slowly and be very patient with the dog.
Have you owned a previously abused dog? Please share your story below.
PAM COUNTER
says:I rescued a 3yr.old Bichon Frise,raised by hoarders.,she does not like collars,leash and being picked up …she will come to me for attention I do not demand it.. But we have a long way to go..HELP
lisa
says:I was looking for a play mate for my big staffy who is 12 month old we found an add an I called a women answerd an said she would bring a pup to me I said cool okay so she brings the pup I was jaw droppin shocked they brought a small staffy skin an bone biten all over swellings infections so I took the pup didnt pay her and shoved her out the door took him to the vets and he only weighted 5.5 riddled with worms 10 days worth of antibiotics and painkillers his poor nose had been broke his little feet were bleeding he had been attacked by other dogs starved and abused by his owner he had no energy hes face is scared then the next shocking thing becouse he was starved most of his life hes growth has been stunted hes actually 6/7 months old not 12/13weeks shock wasnt the work he wont grow now hell stay small im glad I see the add cos this little fella wouldn of made it hes just finishing his antibiotics he put on 1kilo in a week and is becoming trusting of my family hes a joy can’t belived people could be this cruel dexter is a wounderfull boy who just wanted love a home an decent food we ant sure nor is the vets if hel pull completly throw or will his life be cut short due to abuse but for now hes gonna be treated the best he can be and he deserves it
Ski Wood
says:When my children were very young we took in a young dog which had been born on a farm and not socialized. The people he went to shouted at him and hit him when he did something ‘wrong’ so he would snap and try to bite first. I was a bit worried how to comunicate with him but our 4 year old collie cross dog was brilliant and just knew the new dog was for him to play with. When the abused dog wanted to stop the games he made a funny noise and the collie would stop. I started to make them same noise when the abused dog went to snap and praised him when he stopped. In less than a week he stopped snapping at people and over the next 19 years he overcame the rest of his issues and was a great dog
I rescued 2 GSD, one family surrender and one abused and starved. I never knew that when I bent toward her it signaled abuse was coming. She always cowers, still, I have had her 9 yrs.