Abused dog.

[smok3dfish]

so I "adopted" this dog, a red heeler, from an abusive home. Its only been a few days, but he is deathly afraid of men. if you move to fast while your standing above him he hits the floor and whimpers. or if you speak too loudly aka correct him, he cowers down and crawls to your feet. so my question is, Is there anything i can do to get him to trust me faster or will it just have to happen with time? He is a sweet dog but you can tell he is always on edge. and i have noticed that he only reacts this way towards men. not women or children. any input would be greatly appericated. thanks

 

[Dreeza]

there are a lot of people who can answer better than me...but as far as i know..

spend LOTS of time with him on the floor...dont stand above him, or pet him on top of his head....and i would say do not correct him now...at least, do not speak loudly...that will probably just continue to strengthen his fear of men.

You are going to have to be very patiet with him, and give him lots of love, but be very very very gentle with him....

basically, do everything possible to convince him that men arent bad!! and dont do anything that could further confirm his fear of men (like speaking loudly, towering over him, making fast movements, etc)


good luck with him!! im glad to hear you got him out of that other awful home!

 

[smok3dfish]

Ya I had to save him.

a couple of things i forgot i guess. He is really really obedient. you only have to say something once and he stops or listens. but i think that comes from fear not the want to please the amster.

and i was gonna say something else but i forgot......

ill let yall know if it comes to me... sorry

 

[Saje]

so I "adopted" this dog, a red heeler, from an abusive home. Its only been a few days, but he is deathly afraid of men. if you move to fast while your standing above him he hits the floor and whimpers. or if you speak too loudly aka correct him, he cowers down and crawls to your feet. so my question is, Is there anything i can do to get him to trust me faster or will it just have to happen with time? He is a sweet dog but you can tell he is always on edge. and i have noticed that he only reacts this way towards men. not women or children. any input would be greatly appericated. thanks

Oh good for you! I'm so happy you have rescued him. Really happy.

My advice would be to hand feed him. Stay as low to the ground as possible (sit when you play...), to move slowly, let him come to you on his own terms (don't force him to do anything) and to give him as few corrections as you can. If you HAVE to correct him on something do it as gentley as possible. He is going to be very sensitive to you so sometimes just a look or soft NO can be enough.

 

[Gempress]

I think all your boy needs is time. Always be gentle with him. I think he would be a good candidate for clicker training, which is all-positive. If you must correct him, only do it verbally. Make your voice firm and disapproving, but not loud. Eventually, he'll learn that you will never, ever, do anything to hurt him.

 

[EliNHunter]

Awwwww... I'm heartbroken to hear of his abusive past but SO HAPPY you have rescued him from this!!!! Kudos to the most rewarding experience you can have when you see him blossoming!!!! I agree with keeping your profile low with his. That's not as intimidating to him. Lay on the ground with him and just love on him. My poor Hunter still flinches when I move too fast. I'll never forget finding out he used to be beaten by a belt when I was unpacking from a trip and pulled my belt out of the suitcase. The clasp clanked and he jumped off the bed (from where he was laying and watching me) and cowered and shuddered at my feet with his teeth bared and his eyes closed just "waiting for his beating" We've done some "belt therapy" since then where I'll get all my belts out on the bed and let him roll all over them while I play with him and love on him. Letting him know those belts will NEVER get him again!!!! He's gotten a lot better...

 

[bubbatd]

I fostered a dog when my hubby was still alive ....he was obviously scared to death of men . Tom usually didn't have much empathy towards dogs needs, but did ( for me ) and would pat and re assure him, give him cookies etc. By the time he went to his forever home, he was fine .....( LOL!!! Tom too! . bless his heart ! )

 

[smok3dfish]

sweet thanks guys he is starting to come out but if i get too loud he is still scared. I had some friends over to watch football and we were being loud and obscene and he kinda ran off and hid in a dark corner. other then that he is real playful i went to bed last night and he jump on the bed and started to licking my face and rolling around. he doesnt need a leash when we walk i just have to call him when he gets too far ahead of me and he heads back to me or stops till catch up. still hasnt figured playing with toys or a ball yet. if you hold it over his head at all he kinda cowers. im gonna work with him for a long time so im not really worried.

 

[durvish]

My first rescue dog Charlotte was abused and very afraid of men. It took her almost a full year before she was completly over her fear to the point you almost forgot she was ever afraid.

 

[yoko]

i had a border collie/blue heeler that was afraid of guys... she loosened up after a while. i found bribing with a bit of food always worked with her.

 

[Dreeza]

sweet thanks guys he is starting to come out but if i get too loud he is still scared. I had some friends over to watch football and we were being loud and obscene and he kinda ran off and hid in a dark corner. other then that he is real playful i went to bed last night and he jump on the bed and started to licking my face and rolling around. he doesnt need a leash when we walk i just have to call him when he gets too far ahead of me and he heads back to me or stops till catch up. still hasnt figured playing with toys or a ball yet. if you hold it over his head at all he kinda cowers. im gonna work with him for a long time so im not really worried.

awwww, thats cute about him jumping in your bed!!!

I would really try to teach him to play by gently introducing toys to him, at his level....having them held over his head is pretty intimidating, so use lots of treats, and introduce them at his level, and show him how to play!

sounds like you are making great progress!!! he must be soooooo much happier with his new life

 

[Dixie]

Kudos to you for adopting a dog out of an abusive home.

Im currently working with a group to start Arkansas Labrador Rescue. After looking at the PUCO Animal Shelter I noticed alot of Labradors and Lab mixes that needed to find homes.

Were still in the planing stages, but hopefully we'll get this thing moving to where we can start placing Labs in good homes.

I dont know how to work with an abused dog, but I assume I would have to find lighter correction methods. So I have no advice here other than to be gentle and patient.

-Dix

 

[dogdaypets]

I had the same experience with my Malamute. He was distrustful of everyone. When the guys came over to watch football or hockey and it got loud, he would run and hide as well. What I did was have the guys feed him some treats. Now he trusts everyone.