Last Updated on September 4, 2018
Adopting Abused Dogs
Adopting a dog that suffered from abuse or neglect will take a lot of time, patience, and knowledge. Don’t consider a dog that has suffered abuse or neglect unless you can help the dog.
Many dogs at shelters have not been abused and were voluntarily turned in for many different reasons. Most of these dogs and many senior dogs are housebroken and have some training while some have been trained well by their previous owner.
Abused Dogs
Adopting abused dogs and neglected dogs may have special challenges. It will take time and patience to build trust with your dog. Using positive reinforcement, you can create wonderful positive memories for your dog.
Shelter staff will be able to tell you about their interactions with the dogs in the shelter. Some dogs are in foster homes and the foster will be able to tell yours about the dogs they foster. Any good reputable shelter will evaluate every dog and make sure they are adoptable.
Freedom Ride
After you adopt your dog, you will need to transport your dog home. This may be scary for your dog depending on your dog’s history. Take your time and don’t rush to make the trip as pleasant as possible.
Be sure your dog is secure in a crate or travel harness for their freedom ride to keep them safe. If you are in an accident, you want your dog to be secure to protect them. Dogs that are not secure could be thrown around and injured or worse.
After You Get Home
When you arrive at home, take your dog to the area of your yard where you want them to relieve themselves and allow your dog plenty of time to explore this new area. Carry some small treats in your pocket to give your dog along with praise, when they relieve themselves in this area.
Adjusting to Their New Home
dog adoptionLiving inside a home may be new for some dogs in shelters, especially those that were abused or neglected. If your dog has never lived inside a home it will be new and scary for your dog.
Everything inside will be strange and unusual to them so you will need to limit the area they can explore at first as to not overwhelm your dog.
Allow your dog plenty of time to adjust to their new home. Provide a crate with the door open as a safe place for your dog to go with plenty of soft bedding in the crate along with a treat-filled toy for them to chew on and entertain themselves.
Visit Your Veterinarian
Take your dog to your veterinarian and get a full evaluation to rule out any medical problems that could cause any behavioral issues your dog could have. If your veterinarian rules out any medical conditions, then ask for their advice on helping your dog to adjust to their new life in your home with you.
Discovering Your Dogs Fears
You will need to learn what actions or objects will cause fear in your dog and avoid these actions or objects for a while so you can build trust with your dog using positive experiences.
Most abused dogs are afraid of something or many things causing them to hide or become aggressive acting out of fear. Dogs that suffer from abuse for a long time can become aggressive and will return the violence they are receiving.
Just raising your voice, raising your hand or a loud noise could cause an abused dog to be fearful. Sometimes just saying a term used by their past abuser can cause fear in your dog or seeing certain objects that your dog has been beaten within the past can send your dog running to hide.
Special Training
Special training may be necessary to gain the trust of your dog, depending on the age of the dog, the type of abuse and the length of time the abuse or neglect occurred. You will have an easier time gaining the trust of a young puppy than an older dog that has been abused or neglected for a long period of time.
Things To Do
• Speak with a gentle voice
• Move slowly avoiding abrupt movements
• Remain calm at all times
• Use positive reinforcement
You may need a dog behavioral specialist to show you what your dog needs from you. You will need to take part in the training with the behavioral specialist to gain your dog’s trust, otherwise, the behavioral specialist will gain your dog’s trust, not you.
Reversing the Effects of Abuse
In most dogs, the effects of abuse can be reversed over time. New experiences are scary for a dog so you must be very patient and take the time to show your dog that there can be a new normal in a loving home with a caring and patient owner.
Training your dog will help build confidence in your dog and it will also release mental energy. Dogs naturally want to please their owners and training gives your dog the ability to please you.
Start with short training sessions as to not overwhelm your dog and slowly increase the length of each training session. Start with just a few minutes and gradually increase the time of each training session.
Exercising Your Dog
Exercise is important for your dog to release energy and at the end of the day, you want your dog to be in a calm state. Exercise and training will release physical and mental energy allowing your dog to be in a calm state.
Find a way to exercise your dog, although it may be difficult at first. Experiment with different ways to get your dog to exercise to release energy.
If your dog will walk on a leash, go for a walk or some dogs love to play fetch or maybe your dog wants to take a swim. Many behavioral issues occur from a lack of exercise.
Exploring The Neighborhood
Spend time outside with your dog to help them adjust to their new surroundings. Start with taking your dog for a short walk allowing your dog to take in the new scents, sights, and sounds. The next time you walk your dog, take the same route and explore a little further if your dog is adjusting well.
Reward Positive Behavior
Use small tasty treats to reward your dog for positive behavior. You can also praise your dog often for positive behavior and they will learn what you expect from them. Remember that your dog has a history of abuse and you have to show your dog that humans can be nice.
Pay attention to your dog’s body language. Dogs will hold their head, ears, and tail high if they are feeling dominate. They will lower their head, ears, and tail if they are feeling submissive. When your dog comes running at you with their tail level and wagging, they are full of excitement.
Aggression
Your dog may show its teeth and growl without being aggressive and moving towards you. If your dog shows any signs of aggression you will need to see a dog behavioral specialist as your dog will need specialized help to overcome its fear.
Before Adopting
Before you adopt a dog that has suffered abuse or neglect, be sure you can help the dog. You don’t want to return the dog to the shelter and then to another home as they need stability.
Talk to staff members at the shelter. They will be able to answer your questions and tell you what each dog will need from you. Consider the behaviors of each dog and then decide which one you can help.
You must have time and patience to help an abused or neglected dog, so don’t make your decision lightly because adoption is a lifetime commitment. The information on this website is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian, dog trainer, or dog behavioral specialist.
Have you adopted an abused or neglected dog? What behavioral issues did your dog have? Feel free to leave a comment and share your story.
