How do I help my dog?

Question

I rescued her from the shelter about a month ago. I believe someone must have hit her because she is terrified of people, including me and my husband. I have tried training her to come to me with treats, no dice! Tried different brands, she could take it or leave it. Now she has started peeing on herself whenever I pick her up. I always use a sweet tone when approaching, get down to her level, what can I do? Any ideas, thanks.

Answer 1

My male dog is very scared of me... I always try to pet him but he just evades me!

What I did is to just start petting him... and giving him more attention (because the female dog is more... uhm she wants to be touched all the time)...

And there... he began trusting me and now my two babies always want to be near me...

I guess you just have to get his trust, give him more attention and show her that you are nice by petting her and talking to her in a sweet tone

Answer 2

You cant really do much more than you're already doing. The sad truth is that when we rescue a dog, we have no idea what they have been through, so its a good thing they don't talk because I think alot of cases, we couldn't handle it. My dog Jerry is a rescue, we've had him about a year now, when we got him he was nothing but skin and bones, he was never totally withdrawn but sudden movements would make him run the other way. I suggest laying on the floor about 1ft - 2ft away from your dog with your hand reaching out to her a little bit, and just call her to you, obviously hold a treat out too if you think that might convince her to come, but when she does come, make a fuss of her, but not loudly in case you scare her. If you persist on showing her you're no harm she should eventually get used to you. Of course the thing not to do is to get angry at her for not listening to you, as many people do. I'm sure she'll be fine with you once she trusts you, but we cant be sure that they ever forget their past. I hope she comes out of her shell soon, and that this was of help. =]

Answer 3

Just sit on the floor with her and gently stroke her.  Give her some attractive treats like chicken.

Answer 4

your dog may have been abused by a former owner if she had one if she has a favorite place in the house try filling it with your scent and if she runs away from you dont chase her let her come when she feels like it it may take some time for her to get used to you

Answer 5

first take her to the vet to make sure she doesnt have an urinary infection, it could be, but as far as her attitude toords people, keep up the being nice and giving her lots of love, also make sure you give the dog jobs to do during the day this will make them respect you, try making them sit and stay then pu her food dish down and make her stay for a min or two before telling her to eat, do this before she goes outside or through any doorway ect, this will really make her love you

Answer 6

Keep doing what you are doing. It may take some time because it sure seems like someone was very mean to her. Give her some time to realize that not all humans are mean and that she can trust you. Keep giving her the treats or even some plain cooked chicken, get down on her level and when you move to pet her or pick her up move slowly and keep your hands where she can see them so you don't spook her.

Good Luck

Answer 7

Thank you for rescuing her...she needed it as you can tell.  Her attitude towards people and being terrified is a direct cause of mistreatment.  That is so sad.  However, she is now in your care, and you can train her to become a much better companion.  This will take some time of course.  It sounds like she is antisocial probably from No socialization.  Many times this is overcome by just quiet holding and petting.  Don't try to do to much at first.  Just gradual love and affection will win out over her.  Try feeding her her own food piece at a time when it is mealtime.  From your hand, feed her and pet her.  When she starts to eat a little she will learn to trust you.  This is a trust issue with her as she doesn't trust anyone yet.  Can you blame her?  Of course not.  Do not pick her up just yet.  The peeing is a involuntary reaction to her being scared.  

Take your time, gently, slowly and before you know it she will be the best companion and be able to be trained in no time.

Answer 8

it sounds if your doing all you can, maybe it might be good if you spoke to a vet  and got some professional help on this as she is so nervous but one thing is have you tried to make that hhhmmm puppy like noise and get down to her level and hide your head in your arms she might come to that or even show some interest in you anything is worth a try!

i have a nearly 5 mth old husky cross german Shepard and she was a bit scared cus she ad it a bit tough at first she was locked in a small puppy cage with her sister so i did that and now she is a big play thing that bounces all over the place,

good luck and she will come around soonxx

Answer 9

Just sit down on the floor and call to her very sweetly if she doesn't come then get some toys and play with her! If you have a fenced in backyard let her run and enjoy herself! The more she sees that you're giving her things then the more she'll like you and then you'll be able to hold your little puppy. And if she's peeing all over herself then she must be afraid of being dropped or is in a very uncomfortable position! Also if she does something wrong you have to lay down the law but you can't be to stern to a puppy that's afraid of you so if she does something wrong the just very quietly say "No, (her name)"  Hope I helped!

Answer 10

It takes time for an abused animal to trust again.  You have to be consistent and very patient and not yell or punish him in a physcial way.

I had one one time and it took months to get him to trust us...but then it was the most beautiful dog in the world.  We had to put him in another room when children came around as they would race towards him and freak him out and he would pee and get upset....but other than that he was a good animal.

Don't treat him when he pees...but don't yell at him.  Take him outside and stand with him.  Do not play with him or talk to him except one word or phrase that you use ...like I say...go potty.  they will associate that with time to do business.  When he does...then treat him.  If he does't...do not.

Dogs need discipline and they want it.  They want their owners to be proud of them...they love that.  so start to control that attitude now by kindness and firmness and consistency.

It might be his age or breed too.  I have two shitzus  and the one took longer to develop bladder control...he is two and now can go all night without going outside.  Wiillow can go 12 to 14 hours if it is raining..she just will not get her feet wet....but Trooper has to go out every four hours.

Get a vet to check for bladder problems....there might be something wrong like an underdeveloped bladder like Trooper had and he will grow into it.  I would talk to the vet first before doing anything.

Oh...one thing the vet told me and I do believe it helped was to change my tone when talking to the pet.  Don't be overly sweet or stern...just talk to them.  Whoever had them might have talked sweetly to them to get them to come to them and the tone might freak him out too.  So just talk to him like you would your kids....in a normal conversation.  Your actions and tone are important.

Answer 11

Please let your dog get use to you and your husband. The urinating is called "submissive peeing" they do that because they are frightened. It will take a little time for your dog to get use to not getting hit. Try to have your dog warm up to you before you pick her up. Treats do not replace what she feels when she is scared. When you are by her calming and quietly pet and talk to her. don't use loud voices it frightens them.  

Answer 12

Well good for you for rescuing your dog. You sound like you are trying everything, try giving the dog some space and just sit down on the floor somewhere away from her but where she can see and smell you. Then, she will know that you don't want to hurt her and it might take a few tries, and every time sit a little bit closer and closer and eventually she may come to you and start trusting her-that is what you want to do if someone before may have hit her, you want to gain her trust

Answer 13

The poor little mite,

She will have to learn to trust again and that will only come through time, I would avoid picking her up or anything that distresses her, although some may find it cruel to withold physical contact but its not neglect,you are simply letting her adjust to her new surroundings & people on her terms,she will eventually come to you, just show her as much love as she accepts comfortbly and in time she will learn to trust you.

I hope this doesnt take to long.

xx

Answer 14

Dont pick her up- its obviously scaring her. Take it slowly with her - just give her a couple of strokes and leave her alone until she seems more comfortable with it so she knows its okay and when shes more confident then fuss her some more etc!

She might just need time aswell to get over what shes been through.

  

Answer 15

I'd seek out a trainer- they do this for a living and can help you make her feel more secure.  She is wetting to show you submission-it is worth the money to attempt to help her and make her a happy member of your family

Answer 16

I've had rescues come in that had very similar issues.  I start by keeping the dog on lead and approaching with a flat hand palm up (that is very important) and then give one short light stroke while saying 'Good (insert name of dog)'.  Offer a treat - something they don't normally get like liver and ignore them.  Do this several times a day.  I keep this up for 2-3 days, depends on the dog, and then start lengthening the time I insist they stand for praise and a pat.  You want to move slowly on this as she is getting used to hands that feel good instead of hurt her.  No I'm not suggesting you hurt her but hands are hands to her at this point...

The submissive urination should start to resolve itself while you are working on the above and she gets more confidence in you.  In the mean time do not raise your voice when it happens, do not discipline her when it happens - just calmly clean up the mess and ignore her while you are doing it.  If you need both hands to clean up it is ok to place her in her crate or outside while you are cleaning or to have someone hold her but do not talk to her or pet her.  She has to learn this does not casue any reaction from you rather it makes you withdraw which is not the reaction it gets when done in a pack setting.

Answer 17

take her to the vet first. Then shower her with love and care. Don't force it on her. Take it easy and slowly gain her trust.