working with a rescue dog
 

how do I do it? working with a dog that just cowers when you go near it and runs from you and loves its kennel. I cant find this under the search can someone just pm me and give me some extensive tips i feel at a loss. my hubby went goo goo over a little girl and so know im the one at home with her. i will do pictures when i can. thanks

How long have you had her?

I just want you to know that it will get better. Time & patience....thats all it takes. Take baby steps with her. I rescued my girl 6 months ago and although she wasn't scared about exploring the house she would also go in her crate at night and also stiff up when I would try to pick her up, cuddle or give kisses. She's open up so much...now she doesn't even go in her crate at all...she sleeps with me. She now knows that its okay to give kisses, cuddle and she always wants to be picked up.

Just know it will get better...some take longer than others.

The only suggestion I can offer is to spend a lot of time at her level. Try to understand that she is scared and needs time and understanding. When you're at her level, she won't be as fearful.:)

My Lady is also a rescue. Someone recommended the book Secondhand Dog by Carol Benjamin when I adopted her nine years ago and it was wonderful.

Amazon.com: Second-Hand Dog: How to Turn Yours...

Time and patience are the keys with a rescue. It really took Lady and I about a year to get everything worked out. It's much like having a puppy.

We have 2 big rescue dogs (and have had several other rescues in the past).

Each dog is different...some, will instantly "forget" their past it seems and become your shadow. Others, will never forget.

We currently have had our german sheppard for about 3-4 years..she was soooo badly abused...I can't even imagine what she had went thru. She still hasn't fully recovered. It just took her until this past year to take a treat from our hand. Now, she will sit and shake for a treat...and it helps for her to see how we interact w/ all our other dogs too. She will still cower if you correct her....and we never yell or raise a hand to her in fear that she will relapse back to the way she was when we got her.
The first few years, she would cower and pee....if we tried to bathe her, put her on a leash, etc...that was how scared she was. She still does not do well on a leash, and we no longer try. She gladly stays right next to us on our walks. If a car comes, I just put my hand on the top of her head and she lays down! She is so scared! Poor girl. She also still won't go up and down stairs (no telling what she remembers about stairs)!

But all in time....it has taken about 4 years for her to come this far...I don't know if she will ever get over her past.

Love, understanding and support is what is needed. I truly think that her watching how I am w/ the other dogs and my calm, positive voice and lots of treats have helped her this far.

Good for you for taking the time to help a furbaby in need!

Kelly (kelz) has a rescued puppy mill dog. I bet if you PM her, she'd be able to help you! :)

Good idea!

It will take time for her to learn to trust you if she has been mistreated for so long. Just be persistant and hang in there...I'm sure she'll come around.:)

Please keep trying. Your dog has been through hell, and does not trust humans. She needs to be able to feel secure first, and it does takes time to build up trust. :aimeeyork She might not of had a lot of human contact either and is terrified of her new suroundings.
Sit down on the floor and talk to her softly. Offer treats, and see if she will take them. If she will let you pet her, then be soft and gentle. She needs to know that nobody is going to hurt her and that humans are safe. :aimeeyork