Adopting an Abandoned Dog: How Do I Help Them Overcome Their Fear?

Sometimes abandoned dogs, but also those who've had socialisation problems, can show excessive fear that makes living with them difficult and makes them unhappy.

These are situations that can be fixed, but they take time, patience and, often, the involvement of a canine behaviour professional. Below we explain the general guidelines for helping an abandoned, fearful dog.

Keys to Canine Wellbeing

Dogs need their basic needs met, both as a species and as individuals, to be happy and enjoy good quality of life. They don't just need food or vet care. Physical activity, mental stimulation and company are also essential for them, since they're social, sociable animals.

No less important, though sometimes not valued enough, is socialisation and training. Exposing dogs to every possible stimulus and teaching them the basic commands and rules for living together, along with setting up schedules that give them predictability, are crucial steps for their wellbeing.

Any gap in these areas can have serious consequences for the dog. If it goes on for a while, it will cause them stress, which will translate into behavioural problems including excessive fears. For example, it's normal for a dog who's spent years tied up, beaten and alone to show fear around us.

Trust in a Mistreated Dog

For dogs, we humans are their reference point, and because of this, they link us with positive things, building a healthy bond with us. When the people they trust give them pain and suffering instead of care, the bond logically suffers. Any human can end up becoming a negative element to fear.

Rebuilding a dog's trust is possible, but we need to be aware this is usually a very long process. We're talking about years, even. We say it's possible because dogs learn every day. If we adopt a dog with this problem, we need to focus on their recovery first, above our own wishes.

In other words, if you want an affectionate dog, one who licks you and who you can interact with alongside other people or dogs, don't adopt a traumatised one, because you won't get that kind of relationship right away. On the other hand, if you're committed to animal welfare and want, above all, to give a dog back their happiness, go for this adoption without hesitation.

The Effects of Abuse in Dogs

The signs of abuse a dog shows will depend on the type of mistreatment they've been subjected to, but it's possible to identify some behaviours common to most of them, which will mainly stem from fear. These stand out:

1. Trembling in our presence.
2. Getting scared if we're holding something like a broom handle or similar.
3. Not eating if we're around.
4. Lowering their gaze and hunching their body trying to make themselves smaller.
5. Hiding.
6. Not sniffing.
7. Not playing.
8. Rejecting interaction and physical contact.
9. Wetting themselves.

Treating a Mistreated Dog

First of all, as with any dog, it's essential we meet their basic needs. Food, shelter, exercise, affection, company, training or socialisation are part of the fundamental care. With mistreated dogs, time is added as an ingredient, since we need to give them space and respect it.

They need to be the ones taking the first step. For example, offer them food in your hand, but if they don't dare take it, put it on the ground. Repeat the offer as often as you like, but let them decide when they're ready to give you that show of trust. Through all this care, you convey the security they need.

From this foundation, they'll start to identify you with positive things. You'll feed them, take them for walks, reward them, keep them company and so on. All this gradually builds a good bond. It's not unusual for these dogs to regain trust in their carer, but struggle to extend it to strangers. Gradually, and without forcing it.

Tips for Handling Mistreated Dogs

On a practical level, you need to bear some guidelines in mind that will help the animal regain their lost trust from the very first moment they arrive at your home. Besides having the basic essentials ready, follow this advice:

• Set up a space with their bed and water next to it. Ideally close to where you spend most of your time, so they can see you, but sheltered enough that they don't feel exposed. At first you can give them a carrier or close some doors so they gain confidence by being able to control their whole surroundings.
• Always speak to them in a calm, low tone, and don't make sudden movements. Don't look them directly in the eyes either.
• Any change needs introducing gradually. For example, you can gradually move their bed closer to you by a small amount every day. Don't move forward until the dog accepts it. That is, if they don't lie down within a metre of you, don't put the bed at your feet just yet.
• The moment you identify something that scares them especially, such as a broom handle or the presence of children, we should avoid exposing them to it, and never force exposure.
• If you have outdoor space, make sure they can't escape, even when you go in and out.
• Take them for walks along the same route, short at first, until they show enough confidence to start sniffing around. If it's a large dog, use a muzzle if you don't know how they react around other dogs. Some mistreated dogs also haven't been socialised with their own kind, and their first instinct could be aggressive.
• Make sure they're well secured with a collar, harness, or even both at once. The goal is that, if they get scared, they can't break free and run off. If you see them nervous and struggling, stop and keep the collar attachment pointed towards the ground so they can't slip free. Don't move on until they're calm.
• With some exceptions, it usually helps to have another dog at home, if they're stable, since they're gregarious animals who tend to copy each other's behaviour, which makes settling into the home easier.
• Although it can take years for the dog to relax, if you see their signs getting worse or you can't manage the situation, contact a canine behaviour professional or ethologist.