Pinpoint what bothers your new pooch the most. Do your best not to induce extra stress figuring this out; its best to identify their fears through observation.
Realistic Expectations and Tons of Patience: Its best not to get your hopes up when working with an abused animal. Recovery looks different on every dog. But also do your best not to get discouraged either. As long as you are providing the pup its best possible life, your efforts are worth it.
Below are a few different methods you can use to build trust with an abused dog. You may need to try a few before you find what works the best in your situation.
Unfortunately, abuse happens to dogs of all ages. Older pooches have a lower chance of being adopted, so more rehabilitation happens in young to middle-aged dogs. That being said, young dogs generally have a longer road to recovery than canines who were abused at older ages.
It takes a huge heart and plenty of patience to adopt a pet who is a victim of abuse. Those who have been able to take on the task can vouch that there are few things more rewarding than bringing the joy back into a dogs life. So rest assured, your efforts will not be in vain to gain the trust of one of these shattered souls.
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Give Them Their Own Space
Set up an area of a room or an entire room that will belong solely to your dog. This space will be especially important to them during the first few weeks and months of their time in your home. Provide a bed, water, toys, and some treats, and when they retreat to their space, leave them alone. This area will be their refuge when things are getting too much for them.
Most abused dogs have some kind of trigger that will make them anxious. Triggers can include loud noises, sudden movements, or even specific words. These triggers will bring up moments of abuse that they have suffered in the past.
Some triggers may be unavoidable. For example, if your dog is triggered by the noise of people walking past the house, you will have to work to combat these triggers using positive reinforcement. It is worth considering using a professional animal behaviorist to help your dog learn how to cope with these triggers. In some cases, you can avoid triggers that cause anxiety.
How To Help An Abused Dog To Change Its Behaviour
Adopting a dog from a shelter is a great way to give an abandoned dog a new life. While some owners are forced to abandon their dogs due to unforeseen and unavoidable personal circumstances, some dogs are surrendered due to abuse and poor living conditions.
Adopting a rescued dog is admirable, and it gives that dog a chance at a new life. However, if the dog was abused, it can pose certain challenges. The dog may have lost its trust in people, and it can take time and a lot of effort to remedy that. Read on for nine ways that you can help an abused dog recover and integrate them into your home.