| Many people like to get their new dog from a | | | | longer. |
| rescue home or local dog society. Sometimes (but | | | | *Keep Movements, smooth, Gentle and Flowing* |
| certainly not always) these dogs have come from | | | | When interacting with your dog keep your |
| a very unfortunate background and have been | | | | movements gentle and slow, sharp and quick |
| abused; training such a dog presents challenges | | | | movements may scare him and cause him to |
| that are not present when training a puppy. | | | | cower or act aggressively. This will undo any good |
| Abused dogs can be terrified or show aggression | | | | work achieved. |
| to some of the normal things we do when dog | | | | *Do Not Be Frustrated* |
| training, this is not being a bad dog, it is just the | | | | Try not to become frustrated with your dogs |
| dog showing you it has fears and anxiety. You | | | | lack of progress, frustration will show in your |
| can overcome these fears and anxiety and teach | | | | voice and body language and your dog will pick up |
| an abused dog to trust with just a few simple | | | | on it and retreat to his former self. If you feel |
| changes in training approach and of course a lot | | | | yourself becoming frustrated with him then stop |
| of patience. Actual obedience training may have | | | | interacting with him and relax, you can try again |
| to wait until you have gained the trust of the | | | | when your own pressures have eased. |
| once abused dog. | | | | Remember he is not deliberately defying you; he |
| *Do Not Threaten* | | | | is merely struggling to overcome previously |
| When speaking to this dog keep your voice low | | | | learned behavior and his own fears and demons. |
| and cheerful, gentle voice levels will encourage him | | | | *Be Understanding* |
| to trust you and realize he is not being scolded or | | | | When a dog is nervous or scared, he will often |
| told off. Do not approach this dog, instead bend | | | | wet the floor involuntarily. If this should happen, it |
| or kneel down to be at his level and gently | | | | is important not to allow your frustration to show. |
| encourage him to you, let him make the approach | | | | It is not a deliberate attempt at disobeying and |
| guided by your soft words and positive tone. If | | | | will likely disappear as he gains trust in you. |
| he makes even a slight effort to come, praise | | | | *Patience* |
| him immediately or reward him, do not wait for | | | | Be patient, keep any contact and training time to |
| him to completely obey before rewarding or | | | | short periods, actual touch time should be dictated |
| praising him. Remember his experience with | | | | by your dog and will likely become longer as his |
| humans has not been all good and you should | | | | trust grows. Try not inviting him, often just sitting |
| encourage him as much as possible and do not | | | | and waiting his approach can work wonders as he |
| get frustrated by lack of progress. | | | | decides to see what you are all about and do not |
| *Encourage Trust in Contact* | | | | be mean with the rewards, remember this fellow |
| Once your dog trusts enough to let you touch | | | | or lady has had only punishment, it is up to you to |
| him then please encourage this by petting him in a | | | | show them there is another way. |
| trusting and encouraging way. Keep your palm up | | | | An abused dog need not remain that way and |
| and hand below his eye level so he can see the | | | | with gentle loving care and training he will become |
| approach and gently rub him under the chin or | | | | as loving and loyal as any other dog. His behavior |
| chest, these actions have been shown to calm | | | | was learnt in response to abuse and will be |
| nervous dogs and he will not feel trapped by your | | | | forgotten as he learns new behavior in response |
| actions. Always praise whilst stroking and reward | | | | to your positive training. A low voice, crouching |
| if appropriate when he comes to you for petting. | | | | position and a positive, loving attitude will win him |
| If he moves away, let him, do not try to hold | | | | over. |
| him, as he gets used to it he will naturally stay | | | | |