Nurturing Wounded Hearts: Understanding the Impact of Abuse on Dogs
As we’re sure you can imagine, learning how to get a scared dog to trust you won’t happen overnight. The truth is, we must first understand the impact that their past mistreatment can have on their emotional wellbeing. Even if you don’t see visible scars on your pup, invisible ones can leave a lasting effect that makes it hard for them to trust humans.
What are the signs a dog was neglected in the past?
Physical abuse is a little easier to detect. For example:
-- Unexplained scars
-- Injuries
-- Signs of malnourishment (i.e. overweight or underweight)
Unfortunately, emotional scars are a little harder to detect. But, they might present themselves as fear and anxiety, excessive shyness, or aggression when you approach or touch them. In some cases, they may even become aggressive and bark or bite. Other times, they might cower down, begin trembling, or even urinate if they feel scared or threatened.
How to regain a dog’s trust with a safe and supportive environment
One of the first things you can do to help an abused dog trust you is create a safe, nurturing environment for them. This might look like a crate/kennel that is filled with comfy bedding, toys, and a crate training aid you can add delicious spreads to. Crate training aids, when attached to the crate, can create a calming effect and make a dog feel more comfortable in their space, enabling them to form positive and calming associations with the crate.
Building a Bond through Basic Care
Just like humans bond with their parents that take care of them, when our pets are taken care of, they feel a deep bond with their pet parents. To help your abused dog bond with you, you must practice patience while also providing them with proper nutrition, exercise, and grooming. Many vets believe that nutrition and exercise are at the core of a dog’s health and happiness. They need a well-balanced diet, and plenty of regular exercise. Exercise is great for alleviating stress and anxiety.
Grooming is also helpful for bonding, but it’s important to approach this with calm and patience too. You might not want to introduce scary grooming tools right off the bat, for example. It might take time to get them used to brushing, nail clipping, scissors, etc… Be sure to offer plenty of gentle praise and positive reinforcement as they do the things you want them to do as well.
Understanding and Respecting Boundaries
We touched on this briefly earlier, but it’s important to get the dog to come to you on their own terms if you hope to gain their trust. This means recognizing when they are scared and using non forceful, but consistent training techniques.
Signs of fear and discomfort may include, but aren’t limited to:
Trembling
Panting
Avoiding eye contact
Tail tucking
Biting/severe aggression, and
Attempting to hide
Using force-free and consistent training methods
Positive reinforcement and consistency are vital when training an abused dog. Rewarding desirable behavior with treats, praise, or affection helps them associate positivity with specific actions. Avoid punishments or harsh corrections, as these can worsen their fear and anxiety. Be patient, understanding, and adaptable to their progress and individual needs. By recognizing their boundaries and using gentle, consistent training techniques, we build a foundation of trust and pave the way for a brighter future with our resilient furry companions.
Seeking Professional Support
There may come a point where you need to seek professional support when helping your abused dog. Consulting with your vet or a behavior consultant and finding community support groups can provide you and your furry friend with guidance and encouragement to overcome challenges.
What to look for when consulting with a vet/behavior consultant
You specifically want a vet or a certified animal behaviorist that has dealt with abused dogs before. Vets can help identify any underlying medical issues that may be contributing to your pup’s anxiety or fear. A behavior consultant on the other hand can help you create a tailored behavior modification plan to address specific challenges.
These professionals can also guide you in understanding your dog's body language and help you interpret their behavior more effectively. By working hand-in-paw with them, you can ensure that your dog receives the best possible care and support on their journey to recovery.
Finding community assistance and support groups
A few examples of groups that might be able to help you in your local community include:
1. Local Animal Shelters and Rescues
2. Online Communities (i.e. Facebook, Reddit, other social forums)
3. Therapy Dog Support Organizations
4. Professional Trainers and Behaviorists
5. Local Pet Meetup Groups
When joining any support group or community, however, it's essential to verify that the group is reputable and focused on positive and helpful interactions. Always prioritize your dog's wellbeing and safety in any advice or guidance you receive.
Where to Go From Here
You came here to learn how to get an abused dog to trust you, and we hope we’ve shared some insightful ideas for doing just that. We wish it was quick and easy to help your furry companion accept that their new home is a friendly and safe one, but the truth is this might take some time. That said, if you embrace the journey, over time, it will become an immensely rewarding experience that leaves a lasting impact on both you and your furry friend. As you navigate the path of healing and trust-building, you'll witness the incredible resilience and capacity for love that these special canines possess.
Just remember that every small step you take forward is a triumph, and the bond that you and your pup will inevitably form can be incredibly strong. Take a deep breath, and remember that your dedication and love can make all the difference in the life of an abused dog. As they learn to trust again and embrace a new chapter filled with love and happiness, you, too, will be forever changed by this profound and heartwarming journey.