I am the owner of a dog that was mistreated by its previous owner, how do I rebuild a relationship of trust?

Answer 1

It takes awhile, but you mainly need to take your time. Just be patient, and show love and affection to him. I got an abused dog in March (this year) and I am still building up a trustful relationship with him. I enrolled mine in an obedience class at my local Petco, and it help get him to trust quite a bit (it was almost like having a different dog). Good Luck!

Answer 2

How was the dog mistreated?
Was he left in the yard on a chain or was he beaten on a regular basis or just yelled at or maybe deprived of food and water for long periods of time?You need to be a little more specific here as there are several things you can do to put the dog at ease and build trust but you need to target whatever hurt the dog to begin with.

I've had several mutts that were rescues and it infuriates me to be told the dog was abused or mistreated but no one knows how it was abused.

Do loud noises make the dog cower in a corner?If so then stop making loud noises!Yelling at anything or anyone should be reserved for times of extreme danger to get the dogs attention and hopefully stop it long enough to keep it from getting hit by a car or something like that.

If the dog is food aggressive because it's been starved then let him eat!Keep food in the bowl at all times and within a few days he'll realize that food is in plentiful supply and he'll relax.You'll soon notice that he will leave food but continually go back to the bowl to see if it's still there.When this occurs you can gradually cut back on the amount you put in until you're only feeding the dog when you want to and the amount he needs.It takes about 3 weeks to completely get him over it.

If the dog was left on a chain or in a kennel to live it's life in solitary confinement then for heavens sake housebreak him.Provide regular walks and cuddle up in bed with him at night.TALK to him constantly as tho he were a person.Make him feel he's truly a part of your family.Give him lots of hugs.Also do this if he was beaten.You'll notice a change in him soon.
Every member of the family should do this as many times a day as possible as you don't know who did the abusing.
If the dog seems afraid of men then the guys in your family should offer lots of treats and attention until they can actually hug the dog or hold it if it's a small one.No fast movements that the dog may misunderstand as threatening until he comes out of his shell and NO YELLING anywhere near the dog.Yelling is for outside anyway.If you have a friend who speaks loudly at all times then keep the dog away from this person entirely.

Answer 3

Because we're humans, we'll want to love this dog to death because it's been mistreated in the past, however this is the incorrect way to handle a mistreated animal.

The correct way to handle a mistreated animal, that appears to be shy & skitiish is to actually give the dog it's own space, just ignore the dog, the dog will let you know when its; ready to interact.

Baby steps are needed.

Hand feeding can certainly help but if the dog won't do this, just leave the dog to eat by itself in piece.

You should have a quiet home where yellings wheither in excitment or anger should not occur.

Don't run around, walk in a calm manner.

Ensure the dog knows you're the leader so it trusts you, learn to become the leader with book sfrom Jan Fennell and her book 'The Dog Listener'.

Answer 4

dont punish bad behaviour but reward good behaviour. Also remember that if you try too hard and push too hard to be its friend it may have the opposite effect of what you want. Just be patient, use positive reinforcement, bribe the nervousness out of that dog by treats, toys and love. Every time you want to handle the dog in a nice way use a pocket full of treats. Once the dog starts to anticipate treats and nice contact, start doing basic training. You know, sit, stay and what not. If the dog is really nervous and fearful start by just sitting there not saying or doing anything but giving treats. Once the dog gets used to you then you start with patting it and giving treats. When the dog allows you to pat it with no treats and no sign of fear introduce a squeaky toy or ball, the dog should be interested in what you have and when you can play with the dog you have done it and can start training. Training with rewards reinforces the expectations of you with nice happenings.

Answer 5

Be fair, be consistent. Be sure everyone who lives with this dog is on the same page, too. Train your dog using positive reinforcement, this is the fastest way to help your dog recover confidence in people.
It can take 6 month to a year for this dog to trust again, but it can happen with Patience, Praise and Persistance. And when it happens it is an incredible feeling, you'll have a loyal companion.

Answer 6

It takes some dogs longer than others to trust humans again. You will have to be patient and hopefully it won't be too long before she realizes that you won't hurt her. Spend lots of time with her and always show her how much you love her. With any luck you will be best friends in no time. Sadly, some of these poor dogs never recover from the abuse. That is so sad, they seem so lonely just sitting there watching everyone else have fun. Time and Love seems to work wonders with most of these poor dogs

Answer 7

3 of my dogs were mistreated by previous owners -- they were terrified of men (now hubby is their best friend), flannel shirts (??) and loud noises (1 lab and 2 beagles). The lab I took after his owners split, the beagles were just abandoned here. It takes a long time, lots of patience, lots of love (it took a year to get the one beagle to walk over and be petted!) Don't yell at him, approach him quietly with a treat and a pat (mine loved the little "scritch" behind the ears). Try to keep things calm and quiet at home, don't raise your voice. I would wait until everyone else in the house was in bed then sit with them and just pet them and talk very quietly to them. I now have 3 very happy well adjusted pups! The "old man" (a black lab) we'd had forever before the others showed up was also a very calming influence on them, they saw him relaxed and happy with us. As my Dad told me--"alot of time and alot of love".

Answer 8

pretty much everyone thats responded thus far is right. patience (lots of it), gentle voices, rewards - all of these things you need to help your dog. one way to go about this is to sit in the floor, leaning on a sofa or something with your legs stretched out in front of you (it obviously doesnt matter if theyre crossed, just be comfortable) and toss the dog a treat, a little away from her, so as not to frighten her. if you keep it up with the little morsels, hopefully, shell eventually come to you and lay near you. this was how we got started when we were working with out previously abused dalmation. good luck, seems like your dog has a muc nicer place to be now.

Answer 9

Never make allowances for the past, it will interfere with training. Be kind, patient and consistent. The dogs trust will come eventually. Spoiling a dog because you feel bad about what it has been through will only increase its confusion. Steady as you go and train with love.

Answer 10

be very patient with him/her. Do not yell or raise your voice when you are around it. Even if you are yelling into the phone or something. Make sure the dog isn't around. It might not realize that you aren't mad at him/her.
Make lots of contact with him. Everytime you walk past him (and he's awake, don't want to scare him), just scratch his ears quick or just a quick gentle pat on the head. he will learn to trust you but it might take some time. Just show them lots of love!!!