How to Train an Abused Dog
If you've adopted a stray dog, or an older dog from a shelter or rescue center, it is possible that the pet may have been neglected or abused before becoming part of your family. These dogs may be extremely timid, nervous or frightened during normal activities such as when you pet, feed, groom or walk the dog. Training a dog with such a past requires patience, understanding and gentleness. However, those are key to training any dog. Before you begin to train the abused dog, you must build the pet's confidence and help the dog to overcome the timidity.
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Instructions
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Crouch down or sit on the floor. Tell your dog to come. When the pet takes any movement toward you, or even looks toward you, praise the dog.
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Continue this exercise a few times each day until the dog comes all the way to you consistently when you call him. When the dog makes it all the way to you, give him a treat and pet him on his chest.
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Hold your hand over the dog's rump and tell her to sit. Do not push on her rump or force her in anyway. In most instances, the dog will look up at you. Praise her and tell her again to sit with your hand on her rump.
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Give the dog a treat when he makes any movement toward sitting.
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Continue this exercise a couple times a day until the dog learns to sit on command.
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Introduce the next skill you want your dog to learn once she has mastered the "sit" command or consider taking her to a basic obedience course.
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Tips & Warnings
In training any dog---but especially a formally abused dog---all interaction between you and your pet should be positive. If your dog doesn't behave as you expect her to, ignore the negative behavior. In order to reinforce what you want her to do, heartily praise and treat correct behavior.
You might consider clicker training for your formally abused dog. Clicker training is especially effective in timid dogs.
It is best to begin training a formerly abused dog by sitting on the floor or crouching. Do not bend from the waist when working with an abused dog because the dog is likely to interpret this as a signal that physical punishment is coming.
Many abused and timid dogs will urinate out of a submissive response when they begin training. Never punish your dog for this behavior. Ignore it and as your dog gains confidence, the behavior will cease.
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Comments
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yeah i know but since she was abused basicly the shop said all they new as a specific was she was kick but mostly in the face but shell get better.... i mean i can take the leash off an she wont leave my side
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Be careful outside......beagles tend to just take off n not listen if they get loose
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I have a feeling this will work great I just purchased a rescued abuesd pure bread beagle female an spay. she more timid towards men not as much towards women this is our second night with her and seems to be showing slight improvement already. but she doesn't really drink much to any watger so I'm taking her to the free vet visit tomorrow.
