when do u think an abused dog will have full trust in new owners?

Question

2 year old llapso apso
abused by former parents
one of the descriptions from the former parents is that he bites.
even thought i knew he bites I wanted to give him a home anyway.
I figured since he is 2 years old and biting there must be a problem
so, now he licks my husband and I and rolls on his belly for us..
he still squints and certain moves we make ex. thinking we are going to hit him. He doesn't like to be picked up under his arms i tried it before just to put him in the bath to clean him because he was so dirty fromt he former parents and he bit me. he has tried one other time but, He has not done it since and it has been 4 weeks or less... he does have my other dog to play with

Answer 1

When you go to pick him up, consider picking him up with two arms under him (one under his chest, one under his belly) instead of lifting him up by the armpits. If he's been picked up by the pits before to be "punished", or hauled around up onto a couch or something by someone who thought it was easier to reach down and haul him up by the forelegs instead of picking him up by the belly, he probably would associate it with pain to come. Plus if you lift him up that way, it can put a lot of pressure on his shoulders and be painful.

When we adopted our Mini Schnauzer, we were told that she "didn't like to be picked up". The first time I had to pick her up, I put one hand under her chest and another under her belly, and she was fine, and she hasn't given us any issues with it as long as we pick her up that way. I think when they tried to pick her up, they did so under her armpits, and swinging 20 pounds of dog around by the pits would hurt, so she associated being picked up with being hurt.

Answer 2

It depends on the dog. I have rescued a few abused dogs, and my last one is very trusting, but still has a problem peeing all over himself when he gets excited, from fear. My other dog was never really comfortable around my husband as he was abused by a male. He loved him and tollerated him, but prefered females all his life. He should loose his fear of being hit as time goes because he will find out what life can really be as you show how not being hit is. As for the bath, try letting him check it out, and just being patient with him. I realize how cradling the dog might not be the ideal, but even my large dog who was abused when I cradled him into the water and moved slow and talked softly to him, it helped him be less fearful. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Last October we obtained an abused Chihuahua. She would cringe and roll on her back when we reached for her. I would patiently roll her over and pet her back. We never made quick movements towards her for the longest time. She soon stopped her cringing. After several months she started rough housing with our terrier and is now very calm. I spoke quietly to her and always picked her up by putting one arm thru her front legs and her back legs with the other. That way she was cuddled and stable. It takes a lot of love and patience but the dog will eventually know you love it. Chloe is now a wonderful and happy dog. Good luck to you and praise for being a caring person to take in this poor pup.

Answer 4

This is going to depend on the dog's personality and to what extent the dog was abused by the former owners. Do you know any specifics? With the bath, maybe he was abused in or around the bathtub and now he's skittish. Once you find out what scares him, take extra caution in making sure he's comfortable with each step before proceeding. Good Luck and congrats!

Answer 5

I just takes time, some dogs come around faster than others but it sounds like your little Lhasa is coming around just fine. Just keep doing what you're doing and also try the "nothing in life is free" approach which will just show him in a nice way that you are alpha; make him sit for his meals, to be pet, before going out. I also agree with lifting him with one hand under his belly and the other hand under his chest is better for these long backed breeds (I have Shih-tzus and they are the same way).

Congratulations on your new little fur child ;o) Great of you to give him a loving home.

Answer 6

I have a kitten that was rescued and even though she is quite affectionate she does not like to be picked up. However she will jump on your lap when you are sitting down and snuggle with you and sit on your lap while you are watching TV. Also she follows you around the house and loves to be patted.

But when you try to pick her up she usually freaks out and scratches and bites you.

We do not know what her life was like before we got her, so we are just letting her take the lead in terms of what kind of interaction she feels comfortable with.

It is a good sign that your dog is affectionate to you in his own way. Just be gentle and patient and give him time.

Answer 7

How long will depend on the dog every one is different. It took my shitzu nearly two years to totally trust my husband. All you can do is keep giving him love and attention and slowly he will come around.
Best wishes and don't give up on him.

Answer 8

Right away, he has no reason to trust you. You need to build trust with him, keep doing what your doing, work with him, and go at his pace, Watch him for cues if he likes or dislike something you're doing. It will take some time, but it'll be worth it.

Bless you for taking him in! That's really awesome.

Answer 9

Continue doing what you are doing, he seems to be improving. It took my Bichon about 3 months for complete trust in me. He was abused also, but with contiuned love, and gentle touches he finally became very trusting of me, and couldn't wait to jump into my lap for loving.

Answer 10

my parents had their rescued beagle for about a year before my mom could pick him up. it took about 3 years until my dad could pick him up, and now, 5 years later, he still needs to be muzzled at the vet and is locked up when near children.
his previous owners used to pick him up and throw him.
these things take time, but god bless! and dont lose hope!