i just got a dog like a week ago and i think his previous owners beat him?

Question

how do i get him over his fear of new people and his fear of being hit because every time someone new comes around he starts wimpering and runs away and then whenever someone besides me goes to pet him he flinches really bad

Answer 1

Awww, I'm sorry to hear about your dog's fear. I have almost the exact same situation. I adopted my dog, Kally, from the Humane Society two years ago when she was a year and a half old. She automatically loved me, I guess since I saved her from the pound :) Anyway, same situation.... when I had friends over she would bark her head off, but if they actually come too close, she would run away and hide. She is more afraid of males so we are pretty sure she was abused by a male.

Anyway, basically my story is that she has still not completely gotten over it. All of our animals are adopted and we call them our 'special needs' babies because they all have some funny quirk. Kally is still scared of new people, but we have seen progress. She doesn't hide anymore but she still barks at them until they sit down and don't try to pet her. She has gotten to where she will take treats out of people's hands.

Basically my advice to you is to give him lots of love and patience. I know it can be frustrating... at times I wish Kally was more social, but I understand she must have had some scary experiences in the past. Tell people who are visiting not to bother the dog... tell them not to approach the dog or try to pet him. Eventually he will probably hide but then come out. That's when other people might try to offer him a treat. I find it helps Kally if I hold the other person's hand out for her to smell -- it seems to help if I'm touching that person that she knows they are more 'safe'. The longer the dog lives with you and is not hit, the more he will start to feel safe. It just takes time and lots of love. I'm glad to hear of someone adopting these doggie's with issues... just like people they can have 'emotional baggage'. But Kally is my baby girl and I'm just glad I can give her a happy home, especially considering she must have had a hard past. Good luck with your dog!!

Answer 2

Socialize him slowly with other people. When you or anyone else approaches him, hold your hand palm up and low instead of reaching over his head to pet him. This is a more calming approach to shy dogs. It will take time to get him used to people, I have re-rehabilitated abused dogs in as little as a few months and as long as 3 years so there is no set time limit.

A few tips:
Avoid loud noises and yelling, sometimes people, especially men, naturally talk loud and this could unnerve some dogs.
Avoid sudden movements and do not walk up behind him without making some sound before you are close to him.
Constant praise and "baby talk", short words and sentences. Dogs respond well to words with an "e" sound at the end like "frisbee", so nicknames ending with that sound may help.
Do not let other people pet him in situations where he may feel trapped or unable to leave as this could cause him to bite or panic.
If he does not want to be pet, do not pet him. All contact should be on his terms. You can train him better after he is comfortable in his new home.

Keep in mind, he may simply be a very submissive dog and some of the symptoms will never go away. Age and breed may have a part in his behavior as well. He has only been with you for a week, so take it slowly and he will come around. You can look up information on his breed characteristics on line or at the library. If he is a mixed breed checkout all known breeds he is mixed with.

Answer 3

There are several things you can do to help your dog overcome his shyness. First, check with your veterinarian to see if there is any organic cause to this behavior. A diet that reduces stress may help. It is very important that you do not give him attention for rolling over and urinating, whining, barking, or running off and hiding when visitors come to the door or when strangers approach. Keep in mind that this shyness is a manifestation of fear. Ignore these behaviors and praise him at the times when he is showing courage and confidence. If he is acting fearfully around certain situations or strangers, you act happily, laugh, and talk as if it is not all that serious. Dogs mimic so he will pick up on your ease during his anxious moments. Let him approach a stranger rather than vice versa. The stranger or person whom he fears should always crouch down and allow him to approach. Petting should be on his chest rather than his head. Arm your visitors with food treats as rewards whenever he approaches. If he is acting shyly and fearfully because of excessive punishment administered by some member of your family, cease this abuse immediately. Excessive punishment is described as hitting, kicking, screaming, or restrictive confinement. A verbal reprimand for incorrect behavior followed by praise for correct behavior is the only appropriate way to teach a dog.

Answer 4

There is an excellent episode of The Dog Whisperer that aired just last night that addresses this exact problem. You have to have the guest briefly acknowledge the dog then basically ignore the dog and allow the dog to come to the person on its own after it's interest in the new person has peaked. Once the dog observes your interaction with the guest as being positive, it will come out of its shell. You should ask guests to give your dog a little space and stay very mellow at first. A dog has to feel comfortable with everything before venturing to meet scary new people.

Answer 5

I havn't had personal experience with this situation before, but I would say a good way to get them used to new people would be treat training.

Whenever the dog is going to be pet by a new person, give the person a treat and have them sit on the ground and hold it out to the dog. It may take a while but let the dog go to them and have them give it the treat and slowly pet it. No sudden movements or else the dog might get scared.

Basically this would just take time to get over, time, care, patience, and a loving hand.

And by all means never raise you voice or your hand to the dog.

Answer 6

I am a big believer in talking to the dog a lot, particularly when you first bring a new dog home. My theory is that dogs may not understand English, but they DO understand tone, and your dog needs to become familiar with your tone of voice, what it signifies and this even will eventually extend to picking up on how you sound when you are around a friend. I adopt greyhounds, have used this with foster dogs and the greyhounds I have adopted myself.....it takes time but does work. Also lots of physical reassurance, petting the dog and sitting with the dog. I agree that new people should let the dog come to them first, this dog needs to initiate the contact with new people.

Answer 7

Most animal shelters do pretty vigerous behavorial tests to check for abuse, so it's probabally unlikely that they'd adopt one out that been abused and wasn't sutable for a new home.
How long have you had it? It may just take some time for the dog to adjust to it's new home.
It could also just be a really skiddish dog, my aunt has one that has run away from people all it's life.
I'd suggest keeping a bag of treats by the front door and giving one to the people coming in to give to the dog.

Answer 8

You just have to be patient with him. I mean if you came from an abusive home and into a new one, it would be hard to trust anyone. And because the beatings were a part of his everyday life he always thinks someone is going to hit him. When someone new comes up to him tell them to be patient and go slow with him. Just tell them to sit down on the floor or something that way they match the dogs size and he won't be as intimidated. Then tell them to put their hand out on the ground to show him that they are not going to hit him. Hopefully he will realize that they are not going to hurt him. Just give him some time and hopefully he will realize that no one is going to beat him anymore.

Answer 9

Poor thing!

Just give him a lot of time and love. Don't try to force him to accept pets from anyone but you at first: He needs to learn that he is safe, that nothing bad will happen to him. Get him used to the idea that good things happen when your friends come. A week is only a short time. If you keep working with him, he'll come around.

Answer 10

Watch the Dog Whisperer. Cesar says dogs live in the moment. Give the dog time to get used to you then become the pack leader. The Dog Whisperer will explain how easy that is to do.