How to Care For an Abused Dog & Promote Recovery

If you have the privilege of adopting a dog that has been the subject of abuse, it is vital for you to understand how to care for an abused dog so that you don't unwittingly add to your new friend's stress. You have a challenge in front of you, but if addressed right, it can turn out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
Recognizing Abused Dog Behavior
Signs of shyness can be helpful in recognizing abused dog behavior. If you suspect a dog may have been subjected to abuse, avoid petting him on the head. Slowly reach under the nose area and scratch his neck instead while talking to him gently and remember not to stare at him. Eventually you can graduate to stroking his back while chatting away in a reassuring manner.
Curing Dog Abuse Behavior
Curing dog abuse behavior is a tall order and will require a lot of patience. The key is to try and build up your dog's self confidence in as many ways as you can come up with. A good start would be letting him have his meal at the same time as the rest of the family in order to make him feel like a member of the pack, or even before everyone else instead of feeding him after the family.
Include him in quiet group activities by making sure he is in the same room with you and allow him to participate when he is ready to do so. Allow him to go through the doorway first, or up and down a staircase. Always be conscious of what your body language says to your dog, and remember to be generous with your praise. Increase his involvement in your activities when you feel he is ready for it.
Avoid staring him in the eyes or standing squarely in front of him. These stances are best used with dogs that need to be brought under control but will only serve to terrify a timid canine. Do not put pressure on the dog to behave as though nothing unusual ever happened in his past. Giving your new dog some space to allow him to progress at his own pace will do a world of wonders.
Did you know that dogs rescued from puppy mills typically require a couple of weeks before they start coming out of their torpor and realizing that the horror has really been left behind? That is when you see tentative signs of tail wagging, the first hope of better days to come, maybe. They may well try your patience, but the breakthroughs make it all worthwhile. Just remember to take things slowly.
Adopting an abused dog requires a lot of patience, empathy and understanding. How to care for an abused dog will no longer be an issue when you learn to put your dog first and foremost and remember to always observe your own behavior through his eyes. Constantly ask yourself how you would react to the present situation if you had been subjected to the same kind of abuse your dog lived through, not understanding why it was happening and being powerless to do anything about it. Just how would you want to be approached to elicit the desired behavior?
Amber D feels your pain. So many dog breeds, so little time! How's a future dog owner to decide which is the best dog to bring home? Amber to the rescue: http://www.DogTrainingStar.com/Dog-Breeds.html will give you a brief overview of the most popular dog breeds based on AKC categories to help you choose the perfect dog for your lifestyle. If you favor a crossbreed or a mixed breed like me, my dog breed info should help you figure out your favorite ingredients. Go get started at http://www.DogTrainingStar.com
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