My dog was abused b4 I got her??

Question

I got my dog 3 years ago and she was abused badly. She is getting better but she sometimes cowers and hides her tail. She is still very afraid of most men. I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help her?

Answer 1

in my home veryday

Answer 2

They never forget do they..hmm...you could try offering her treats when good men are around so she associates good men as something positive. It would be good for your good guy friends to offer her treats and spend time with her too. Animals will always forgive..but never forget x

Answer 3

so you have never tried to get him to a trainer?

well i havent had this problem, but from what i see on animal cops and "its me or the dog", it shows that your dog has to associate men with positive things. So why dont you ask some of your guy friends to help you out. They can walk by  on the street and throw her some yummy treats, or just cassually throw her some treats when they go in the door. Then maybe they can pet a little after the treat phase.

you might need the help from a professional though. I wish you good luck!  

Answer 4

No.  You can always tell an abused dog.  I use the foot method.  If a dog won't lay by your feet, or you can't pet him with your feet, he was kicked a lot.  

As a breeder, I see it all to often.  Just use love and training to help her get over her fears.  This will never go away, but with time you can make her better.

Answer 5

I used to work at a vet as a PT job :) I have ideas!!

Work very slow with her. Chances are she will really never forget what she went thru and will go thru stages like hiding her tail, etc.

It will get better tho in time!! The key to this all is patience. Let her move at her speed. Over time she will learn to trust you.

One very good thing to do is "get down to their level" sit ont he floor with her while petting her, etc.

Best of luck to you & your pup!!  

Answer 6

to help her, don't baby her, don't humanize her, just love her.

dogs do live in the moment, and although you feel sorry for her, feeling sorry doesn't make it better, it can sometimes make it worse, by making it more difficult for her to get over it.

be calm and assertive, whenever you handle and train her.  Don't coddle her, or have the energy of feeling sorry or bad for her.  Dogs feed off the energy you give and so they feel this, and she will take her cues from you.

treat her as you would any other dog, and allow her to feel confident and trusting in your relationship, and she will eventually come out of her shell.

I also have a dog that I adopted that was abused, and we've had him for nearly 4 years.  I have had to learn to treat him as I do my other dogs, not to baby him, and he has come a long way.  He is happy, more balanced, and outgoing.  

Cesar Millan has helped me a lot in caring for him, and learning new things all the time.  you can catch his shows on the national geographic channel, the Dog Whisperer.  Also, he has dvds and books that can help you a lot too.

good luck! keep up the love and affection, just don't baby them.  I know it's hard to understand, but it does make a world of difference.

Answer 7

Depending on the breed, you may never get her to be totally at ease with men, if this is what causes her the most stress.  Some breeds, mine included, are like elephants, they never forget.  You could try Rescue Remedy, but basically you will probably just have to try, as much as possible, not to put her in a situation, with men particularly, where she feels threatened.  Try not to react when she does, act as normally with her as you can - to stroke her and offer comfort will only reinforce her fear (something's wrong, mum's reacting).