How to handle an abused dog?

Question

Last week, a stray dog found her way to our home. Although she is healthy, we think that she was abused as she was very hand shy with us at first. We figurred that she was dropped off near us by her previous owners since she tears things apart. Since she is a puppy that has been abused, I find it hard to get after her when she has accidents on the back patio area and she is chewing up the patio carpet, etc. What is an appropriate way to stop her actions without yelling at her and having her get scarred of us too?Understanding that she is a puppy, and that small animals will do this, I am having a difficult time punishing her. Thanks!

Answer 1

First of all, punishment should be given to any dog, regardless of how it was treated. In a wild pack, there is a leader and the followers, and the leader punishes the followers. If you don't punish your dog for what she is doing now, then you will have a BIG problem as she grows up thinking she is the boss of you.

It's okay to use verbal punishment, but make sure not to yell, but speak in a normal tone with deliberate words. Say things like you mean them basicly. Think of a dog barking at another dog. Yelling is like a high pitched bark, and that comes across as insecurity. Dogs that are getting after other dogs do that sort of growl-bark...like a deep deliberate "no!"

One way to get over being hand-shy is to start her off with some training. She will learn to look to you for commands and will develop a wonderful bond with you. Some local stores provide puppy classes, but basicly what I've done before is teach them the basic sit, down, come, and walking on a loose leash (this is great for large breed puppies...and saves a lot of pain in the arm muscles). Make sure to praise her a lot and take things slow. This will keep her busy and will also help her to be more secure around you.

Another thing that might help is to take her on a walk in the morning. Animals with high energy will look for ways to occupy themselves, like getting in trouble. By taking some of that extra energy out of the system in the morning, you have a calmer and more behaved dog. If you have a tread mill then you can put the dog on that...we have a manual one that I will jog on and my dog knows to get on behind me and run with me.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

lol i had a really naughty little puppy but thats sad that it was abused like you should disipline it like say NO and get angry if you want to because dogs never like it when their owners get sad or unhappy with them and slowly over about a month she should become better also we got a cage/kennel for jaydee and he luvs it now he even learned how to open the doror by whacking it with his paw!!and as they get older they become more disipline and trust you are getting a great chance here you can help this dog to a better life also another tip is when it doesnt bite stuff hug and scratch behind the ears jaydee luv that he always does the tilted head pose!and when it does sumthing good reward it a great treat dogs love is cheese but never after the dog messes stuff up and you make her sit and she sits DO NOT give her a treat then she thinks shell tear another thing up and get more treats ask aprofessional to maybe visit and help thats what we did and now j.d is 70% angel hes only 2 and 1/2 !!good luck and remember dont sent her to a training school cos she has to know that your in charge not a unknown trainer!!also if you de-s*x it it will become calmer! go to the vet or check on the internet!about info
happy training!!

Answer 3

I have 4 dogs, all but 1 were "cast offs" with no discipline. It's hard to do but consistency, stern but not mean. Ours were so terrified of any sound--so when they did something we didn't like we just said "no" in a normal voice and took them to a crate - kind of a "time out". It's very difficult with a pup that's been mistreated, first you have to gain their trust and love them (My Daddy told me lots of love, quietness and patience). After a while ours looked at their crate as the bed (we always leave the door open)--but that was their safe little place--pillow and a treat. It's hard with a mistreated pooch--but mine are now little couch potatoes!!! Even tho she's small--she needs discipline!! Both of you will be happy in the end!!

Answer 4

Spend some time by her side watch her actions. Don't interact too much and just see what she does. When she starts to gnaw on something, simply take your hand and gently nudge her neck or head to prevent her from getting a grip on it.

Do this consistently and patiently and she will learn.

Each time you nudge her attention from something valuable, immediately offer her a chew toy. Call hr by name and say the name of the chew toy repeatedly while talking to her. She will begin to associate the name of the chew toy with it and, in a few days, she will know what yu are talking about if you tell her to go get it!

Be patient but consistent. Each time the puppy gnaws on something, immediately redirect its attention to a chew toy.

They will learn what is on the "acceptable" list.

Answer 5

Much attention is deserved and needed by her and yelling does not mean you cannot use a stern voice and gently but forcibly with the back of your handpush her away from items not to be chewed and stay ther with the item 2', 6', 8-10 ft and always enforcing with a shhhhht or a AT Yes AT and start big to low not low to big as far as the voice goes and starting with a new process for her.

Answer 6

take it to a trainer or sumpthing. dont hit your dog with your hannd or with anything you are holding. make sure you disipline it right as the thing it is doing to get disiplined is happening or the dog will start to do somthing else and not relize what it did wrong. get a air horn or some thing that makes an unpleasent noise so then the dog will relize that it did somthing wrong and not accoceate the disiplinary action with you. it will just think that it just happens all the time so it wont misbehave while yopur gone either cause it will think it will still be disiplined. whatch out with abused dogs though cause they act scared until you get too close and then some will take a nip at you. ive had it happen to me tons of times. just gain its trust and let it know you wont hurt it and then start training

Answer 7

You need to use consistent training dont be too shy to discipline, but dont be overly rough with your new puppy if she was abused it will take time for her to adjust and trust you because the only thing that she has known up until living with you is that she was abused. try using a consistent sound with her like ssh. you can find more information from ceasar milan the dog whisperer he is on the national geographic channel or online, hope this helps

Answer 8

I used to keep a stray dog with me for 15years. I think most importantly, you have love the dog.For dogs are like human being, they have feeling too. I believe that this puppy is small & has already undergoing much of stress & fright. Don't stress it too hard. Take time & patience to teach the dog. Hug & pat the puppy often to reassure that security & love. Soon, she will be relieved & give attention to your instruction. It take time, no short cut.

Answer 9

That is so sad I would'nt worry about the accidents to much but with the chewing things up try to distract her with games or a ball & firm NO might help then a treat when she obeys well good luck anyway

Answer 10

yeah, this is a sticky situation and you may be best served if you can afford to get professional help with training. you have to assert yourself in situations that are less than desirable like eliminating where you don't want her to and chewing the carpet. however, you're right you have to gain her trust considering her background of being abused. if she feels she can do as she pleases it is possible she will eventually think she is the dominant dog in your pack and at point you will have serious issues. if you ask me the problem is that the people she was around before tried to discipline her in a way that didn't make sense to her; i.e. violence. dogs can only be communicated with on dog terms like the way their mother or superior member of her litter would discipline her. you can give her the discipline she needs and do it in a way that makes sense to her and i would suggest reading ceasar milan books as he seems to have figure out the way to get inside a dog's head very well. i will suggest though one way to gain her trust is to coaxe her on her back and rub her belly very gently telling her "good dog", "good dog". dogs feel very vulnerable when on their back and if you will treat her well when you have her in this very vulnerable position she will appreciate it for you. good luck and you are to be commended for taking in this animal as you probably saved her life. good job and good luck.