How do you properly respond to a dog that has been abused?

Question

Tonight we adopted a 4-year-old female shetland sheepdog (though she seems very small compared to our last sheltie...she's only a little bigger than our mini schnauzer, who also happens to be small). She's extremely sweet and well-tempered, but also extremely shy. Also, I was told she was kicked at her previous home on more than one occasion, and probably suffered more abuse than that that we aren't aware of. Tonight when I took her outside the first time, she got very skittish, and it was all I could do to get her to come back to me. We tried to take her out again later, but she would bolt whenever my mum or I were closer than like a yard away or made sudden movements. We finally managed to run her into a corner of our backyard, but when I reached to pick her up, she bit me. It was obvious she wasn't doing it just to be aggressive. She was just completely terrified. I didn't know how to respond. I just picked her up and took her back inside. (Question in additional details.)

So my questions are... If something like that happens again, how should I respond? Is there anything we can do to help her be more comfortable around us, or will it just take time? Is there anything in general that might scare her more that we should avoid doing? Any more information on how to care for an abused dog is also very much appreciated. Links welcome as well.

Answer 1

The three answers posted thus far are all good. My wife and I own a dog grooming shop. We take in a lot of abused dogs. We don't like having them tranquilized, nor do we like using muzzles. My job is to pet them, reassure them and love on them while she grooms them.
I can tell you that unless you know how to look into a dog's eyes without being threatening and read what they're telling you by their look, avoid looking directly into their eyes. If you do catch yourself looking, and they catch you, immediately look down with a sorriful expression. Touch and stroke them gently and tenderly. No sudden movements. Avoid "Hugging" her until she is comfortable with you. That act will seem confining and may be taken as a hostile manuever. If by chance she should roll over and show you her belly, she's submitting to you. Rub her belly, gently and speak softly to her. DO NOT GO NEAR HER THROAT! This is an absolute sign of aggression on your part and she will panic. If you can get away with looking into her eyes, do so with a loving look and soothing talk. See if you can interpret what her eyes are telling you -- they will tell you just about everything. Bites are either to draw blood or to tell you "Hey! I don't like that." Shetlands are very smart and are almost as eager to please as Golden Retrievers. Give her time, patience and lots of love. Eventually, if you spend enough time with her, you will win her confidence. Thank you for taking in a "rescue." Best of luck!

Answer 2

- go extremely slow when around her and keep her on a leash (one of those long ones or retractable ones) outside until she is better. Do not let her run loose.
Chasing her around is not going to help you at all- by cornering her- you did terrify her- if she has been abused, that only intensifies the fear. You may have to work a lot to regain that little bit of trust you just lost.

I also suggest using a lot of treats for the first week or so. They will provide a good relationship basis. Always move slow and talk quiet, she will gradually trust you, and you can move faster around her.
It will take time- if you try to rush it, you will only make it worse. It takes a while for a new pet to build up trust- even longer if they were abused.

Answer 3

Just keep saying what you already said: you don't want to risk Duke fighting with the other dogs, so he is to be locked in bf's room until one of you gets home. If Jennifer doesn't like it, too bad. Smile, say something non-confrontational like "that's nice of you to be concerned, but I'd just worry about Duke if he wasn't locked up" and then go on with what you were doing. If she starts bugging you, take the dog out for a walk. It's only a few more weeks. You can get through this!

Answer 4

Having an abused dog is tricky, and heartbreaking because the dog was hurt, in some cases more mentally and emotionally than physically. The only real thing I can add to the advice already given is that when you take her out (on a leash) walk with her around your yard, inspecting things that she sniffs at with her and talking to her in reasuring tones. When she shys at an object or something moving DO NOT bend down and comfort her like a baby. I know its a natural response, but she will see it as approval from you. If you baby her, she will think that shying at those things is a good thing because she gets lots of attention when she does it.

When she shows fear at something that is not a danger to her, say in a gentle tone, Heeey, lets check this out? Encourage her to go near what is frightening her, but don't force her - if she is Really afraid, have her sit a distance from it for about five minutes, then move away from it. The next day, have her go a bit closer for a bit longer, then move on. You can repeat this each day until she learns that the object or sound will not hurt her, and reward her with lots of praise when she does not react to it in a fearful way. Also, while you have her on the leash, teach her to come. You can do this by having treats ready to give her when she comes near you, and as you feed her the treat, pet her and say Come, or Here, or whatever command you want to use to get her to come to you. Make her see that good things happen when she comes to you. Once she is comfortable in your yard, then you can let her off her leash as long as your yard is fenced in.

One last thing, Never bend over her to pet, praise, or discipline. Go down to her level on one knee or something. When a person abuses a dog, they usually do it in a standing position, where they hunker over the dog as they hit or kick it. The posture will make the dog fear whatever is comming, be it good things or not. Once your dog gets more comfortable with you, you can work on teaching her that you will not hurt her from this position, but start out by trying not to stand over her.

You can also show her your bite and say ouch in a slightly resentful tone - she won't understand that she did it, but it will allow you to address the bite with her. When she puts her teeth on you, even in play, say "OUCH!" in a very high pitched tone - like a dog yelp. It tells her that she has gone too far in play and she will learn to be more gentle - its how they learned not to bite a litter mate's ear too hard.

Answer 5

Let her get more comfortable with being outside. If she tries to bite you just pick her up and bring her back inside. Do not smack the dog! She has had enough abuse already and she probably bit you because you backed her into a corner. Dogs don't like to be in corners and will usually bite you if you mess with them. You could walk away or just pick her up. Best of luck!

Answer 6

I went through a simular ordeal with my dog when I first got her. she was also abused. Talk to her in a calm but firm voice, tell her it is bad and then let it go. Even if the dog won't come to you in the house still talk to it in a low voice. This will reasure her that it's ok and eventually it will realize that no one is there to hurt it. Just be very patient with the dog, it will take some time and alot of love, but you will hopefully end up with one remarkable animal. I know I did and she is a very loving friend to me. good luck

Answer 7

It's going to take some time for her to get used to you and your home. She is going to need to learn to trust you... right now she doesn't trust anyone.
What you can do is give her lots of good attention - petting and playing and treats and lots and lots of praise. She needs to learn that it is OK and you will not hurt her.
Do not make sudden movements, and try to avoid chasing her or cornering her, this will only frighten her. Instead, try using a gentle voice and a treat or a toy to entice her to come to you. When (if) she does, give lots of praise! Remember to move slowly, too. Try getting down on her level to pet and interact with her, so she isn't so intimidated or frightened.
It will take time but be patient... eventually she will see that she is loved and she will begin to come out of her shell.

Answer 8

I think she needs time to get comfortable with you. Right now, you know that you aren't going to hurt her, but she doesn't. Patience and time is the best thing, although you have to let her know that being aggressive is not okay.Talk softly to her and try not to make quick movements, offer reassurance.
I think it's so great that you took her in. Best wishes.

I've found some links for you:

http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/abuse.htm
http://www.dogfocused.com/dog-behavior/shy-and-abused-dogs.php
http://www.dogfocused.com/dog-behavior/shy-and-abused-dogs.php
http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Healing-Books/lm/P9X4WZ2HXGJL/ref=cm_lm_srch_fvlm_col_1/102-1328319-4416923

Answer 9

TRY TAKING HER OUT ON A LEASH--YOU NEED TO ALWAYS BE VERY SWEET TO HER AND KISS HER ON THE HEAD AND FACE-TALKING LOW AND NICE TO HER-EVENTUALLY SHE WILL TRUST YOU. MAYBE SHE WAS ALWAYS KICKED WHEN THEY LET HER OUTSIDE? I HAVE 3 DOGS AND 2 OF THEM I RESCUED. BE PATIENT

Answer 10

try to just let her do her own thing for a couple days so she can adapt to the new place as well as the new people....if she doesn't loosin up a little try callin her over to u...but sweet and have a calm voice....if she still doesn't....just be patient....she will.....