Rescued dogs all come with their own baggage. It could be that they are happy go lucky, well trained dogs that just need a home and family of their own. However, they also could carry with them a haunting past of fear and neglect. Perhaps some have never even had a kind human hand and grew up as a stray until they found themselves at the shelter, sitting in a kennel surrounded by other barking dogs. This entire process, no matter where they came from or their background, is traumatic for all dogs. Some deal with it and cope well, bouncing right back to their old selves once they’re in a home. Others may take more time, a special person and training to break them out of their shell. Gaining trust is the very first step with any rescued dog to help him feel secure in his new life with you.
The Fearful Dog
Some rescued dogs will be fearful and very reluctant to accept anything from their new guardian. They may hesitate to take a treat, or ignore you completely. Dogs like this may seem difficult or uninterested, but in reality they just don’t know how to react to you or what you want from them. Begin training immediately, even if they don’t seem to want to give you any attention or take a reward from you.
Have a high value treat on hand to reward your dog, but don’t be offended if they do not want to take it from you. Keep criteria extremely low, and begin with a goal of them accepting your presence. This can be done on leash or not. If your dog hides in their crate, under a bed or behind furniture don’t make an attempt to coax them out just yet. Instead, use those treats and every time you pass by their spot talk quietly to them and toss the treat before walking away. They will soon associate you with positive rewards.
If your dog isn’t hiding, but still ignores you then you can begin on leash or in an enclosed area. Allow them some space from you, but encourage them to turn your way. Every time they look in your direction, turn to face you or step towards you toss a treat their way. You are shaping their behavior to come near you for a positive reward!
The Friendly Dog
Most dogs are naturally friendly and some breeds are simply outgoing and want to be friends with everybody. This dogs may seem easier to start with, but they still lack the essential trust in humans that they need in order to lead a successful and happy life with his new family. This dog may jump up on you or when meeting new people, pull excessively on leash and get into everything that’s not nailed down in your home the way you would expect a toddler to do. With dogs like this, gaining trust happens through both training and play as well as setting and respect boundaries and holding a consistent schedule.
When you first bring this friendly dog home from the shelter or rescue, he should remain on leash. Before he comes inside, he should be shown his specified potty place and given the chance to eliminate. This will automatically prevent him from doing his business inside within the first few minutes of exploring his new home. Praise him greatly and even let him sniff around his are a few moments before entering the home. When you go in, the leash stays on as you establish boundaries and show him his place in the home.
He should be given the chance to potty about 20 to 30 minutes again after being walked around the home and shown his bed, dishes, toys, and crate or confined space. All this new stress he is dealing with may make him excited and need to potty more frequently. Stick to a strict potty and meal schedule and introduce adequate exercise with separate play and training sessions. Keep the schedule predictable and his activity needs met. This alone will build a wonderful bond, as he learns that you are easy to trust and follow.
Punishment at any point for a dog that you are working on trust building with will easily and quickly set you back very far in the entire process. Punishment means you cannot be trusted from the dog’s perspective, and it makes you scary to be around. You want your dog to be comfortable, calm and happy in your presence, not fear you. Be gentle, give him boundaries, basic training, a schedule and help him learn that you are a positive force to be with. A lifelong trust will ensue!
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