Pet RESCUE

Consistency -- The First Gift to Give An Abused Dog

by Anthony J. Moyer

LEADERSHIP, LOYALTY, LOVE

The recipe for a happy and healthy rescued companion!

Trust does not come easily to an abused or abandoned dog. Depending on the circumstances, the dog may have learned to respond to the abuse by running away, learning to fight for "their space," or submitting to the aggressor. Although these three reactions are distinctly different and will bring out different results, in order to "reach" these dogs you must build a LEADERSHIP role. LOYALTY to you and your family will be the result and after that comes their ability to offer unconditional LOVING relationship. The trauma these animals have suffered, and the coping and survival mechanisms they have adopted, won't be healed just by offering them your love.

Rescued companions are said to be the most loyal and loving among private household pets. All it takes is your commitment to time, effort, and patience to strip away all of their fears and negative behaviors and build a "reverse triangle" of trust to win their heart. The first step in reaching these dogs is to provide them with something they can come to trust: a consistent schedule.

Avoid Enrolling Abused Dogs into Immediate Formal Obedience Training
People who choose immediate formal obedience training for such dogs overlook the fact that the new companion needs to be able to feel comfortable with their new surroundings in order to accept what is being taught. Fearful, untrusting dogs do not think of anything except their natural instinct for fleeing or hiding from what is frightening them. First and foremost, they want to feel safe and secure. Some will try to bolt at every opportunity they get, or create opportunities to run so that they can go back to taking care of themselves - because the dog feels he/she is the only one they can trust. Some canines that have been abused will demonstrate aggression, in the form of growling, snapping, or even charging at you. Other dogs mask their fears by performing obvious submissions to you, and that can often be worse then trying to protect themselves; this is because they may be a "time bomb" and the new owner will never know when the explosion will happen, or who will be the victim.

Training for rescued dogs must be specialized and take into account their critical needs. Private, in-home classes are appropriate.

Canine Behavior Modification Specialist
Some owners will simply not admit to the dog's behaviors and refuse to see what is going on with their newly adopted companion. Rehabilitating abused dogs will take a very long time. It is best done by someone who understands canine behavior modification, and who can teach the owner how to read what their new companion's body language and verbal communications are expressing.

This rehabilitation process and training is not an overnight process. If you work with the dog on your own, you should never assume that just because something is working one minute that it will continue to work in five minutes or later in the day. On the other hand, if you do decide to get the help of a professional trainer, do not be surprised that they are able to demonstrate quick problem solving techniques that they have learned over many years of working with animals.

The behavior modifications a professional trainer teaches you will not be effective without a lot of time, practice, consistency, patience; and it will take the entire family being able to work and spend time with the companion. With a severely abused dog, many months may pass before you even see the first truly positive behavior or sign of trust toward you from your companion. Sometimes those first signs of trust take the form of the subsiding or complete disappearance of things like submissive urination or lack of appetite. Those behaviors are replaced with the actual desire to be around you or your family, or being touched or rubbed for even a short period of time.

Leadership, Not Emotional Appeals
Unfortunately, emotional appeals to a canine companion who is in the fearful state of suddenly being in another new and uncertain place are a waste of your well-meant efforts, your time, and can cause you unnecessary frustration. Your emotional appeals will not be understood by the dog, and, in the worse case scenario, may be interpreted by the dog as pure reinforcement of the fearful behavior; that will just make the fear more deeply embedded and even harder to work out of the dog.

A better way to approach living with and training a fearful newly adopted companion is for the family members to quietly and confidently take on a leadership role. All members of the family need to become the Alpha (not a buddy or playmate) of the home. In canine psychology, your fearful new companion needs to look up to stronger dogs or else they are driven to take over the Alpha position, and that is where a lot of future aggressiveness comes from. While being on the street or in an abusive home, the dog was its own leader and followed basic survival skills.

The first and best way to demonstrate your Alpha position is to decide on a schedule and stick to it.

A Consistent Schedule
An example of this is to begin with the feeding schedule. Feed your companion at a certain time each day (preferably after the family has eaten.Alpha's always eat first). Feed them in the same spot. Allow them the opportunity to eat for a specified amount of time, say 15 - 20 minutes, then pick up their bowl, even if it is not empty - or even touched. This makes you the provider, not the bowl.

Continuing with this example, follow the feeding period by a walk outside, or, possibly by playtime in the back yard or a trip to the local park - whatever your personal schedule will allow, BUT, keep it consistent. Let this schedule be the first thing your abused companion can count on.

When a canine knows that specific things happen at specific times, they become bonded to that schedule and will look to you to keep things running smoothly so they can just relax and just be a happy dog.

When Crate Training Is Required
In extreme cases, you may have to start with crating your companion so he/she does not become destructive or try to escape. Crate training is a very healthy and non-invasive way for you to give your companion a place that is theirs. The crate becomes a "safe place" that they can go to in order to get away from stressful situations, to be in while you are away from the house for short stints of time, and even to bring along on trips when you're traveling so the dog will have a place to be that is recognizable and secure. We recommend the wire collapsible type of crate, as this allows the dog to see all around them freely.

When you start crate training, you might want to place a yummy treat in the back of your companion's crate to make it more enticing for them so they enter it without a struggle (a chew toy, rawhide, or a Kong to chew on in order to help make the crate more comfortable and relaxing for them).

In the beginning, the door should be left open so the dog doesn't feel locked up. Then, as the dog enters, close the door softly and lock the door for short periods of time to make your pet understand that the crate is safe; they need not stress out or worry about this new situation to life.

As your pet becomes familiar with the crate, as he/she is heading into the crate, you say "in" followed by LOTS of praise when your dog enters the crate to reinforce that what he/she has done is both a good behavior and "safe" for the animal. In the beginning, it is always best to have the crate set up in the room where the adults are so that any behaviors can be corrected in an effective but gentle manner.

Training Your New Dog to Follow You
In the beginning, you might try to use a technique that keeps your companion at your side all the time. First, you place a belt loosely around your waist (not through any loops, just around your waist), then clip your dog's 6 foot long leash to the belt. This keeps your companion at your side all of the time and will actually teach your dog to respect you, as well as respect the leash length. Along with gaining leash respect, this technique makes it easier for walks and increases your dog's comfort being near you. He will actually want to be with you after a time.

As you walk around the house in this manner, your companion has no other choice but to follow you.again, building trust, companionship, respect, leadership, and the ultimate goal of socialization. Using this belted leash method teaches house rules and a daily routine. Remember, however, to always start slow with everything, especially movement. Fast, sudden, or harsh movement puts abused animals on the defensive. Be firm yet kind, and you will eventually receive the ultimate success - a loving bond!

Beginning "Loose Leash" Dog Training Basics
As you begin working with your pet on the basics, leave a leash on the dog when they are in the house so that it drags with the dog (sometimes they might chew it so a chain leash works well). The reason for the drag leash is that you will always have the opportunity to "catch" your dog and not play the "chase me" game while working on the basic commands (sit, lay down, stay, etc) inside the house. It also gives you the advantage to walk your dog outside in time to do his/her business" successfully if you notice the dog beginning to look for a spot while in the house!

When your companion goes outside into your fenced yard, take off the leash and keep it by the door to put back on the dog as he/she re-enters the house. Eventually, this routine will build the bond of trust. And, actually, it is also the foundation upon which further behavior modification obedience training can be made.

You will always want to incorporate some type of verbal praise to make the dog feel good about whatever he/she is doing. As time goes on, if your companion is still frightened by slight or sudden movements, then you should always verbalize praise such as "Good Dog" , "Atta Dog", "You Da' Dog" or some other positive verbal confidence builder instead of hands-on-praise (such as pats on the head or clapping, etc that may be frightening the dog).

Remember to only go as far as your companion feels comfortable. Do not over-do the training or stress the dog. Some obvious signs of stress that are clues to end that session of training early are heavy panting, licking lips, yawning, or their tail clamped between the rear legs (all these symptoms don't have to be present).

Your Attitude and Posture
While you are developing the Alpha position to your newly adopted rescue or abused companion, always try to be upbeat and happy. Canines "feed off" of body language, tones of voice, and body stature. Always remember your posture; don't bend over to your dog's level. You can crouch down depending on the situation but try to avoid lowering yourself down to his eye level; this will be associated with submissiveness or even a challenge of power. If you do these things consistently (bending over, kneeling, crouching, not winning stare downs, or not winning a tug of war, etc), your dog will feel that he/she has to take the Alpha position back, because you are obviously failing at holding the Alpha position, which just makes your pet feel more insecure.

This may sound "militaristic," but once you secure your family's position and gain the loyalty, trust, and love of your companion then - and only then - can you begin to let the reigns of some of these rules loosen; but if inappropriate behaviors begin to resurface, you will need to take the Alpha position back again immediately.

Don't Raise Your Voice - Don't Train When Tired - Consistency Is Key
Another rule you will have to try to adapt into your home for a while is to relax, try not to yell or raise your voice at your spouse, partner, children, or any other animal in the house. Your new rescue may think that you are yelling at them and that they are in trouble. This fear could result in the dog reverting to negative behaviors or even to the dog defending whoever is in trouble.

Also, if you are having a rough day or you don't feel well, DO NOT TRAIN your companion that day. Just let your dog be a dog (naturally, within the rules), because canines thrive off of human emotion and you do not want your dog to regress just because you've had an "off day."

If you have children or grandchildren who are old enough to learn the house rules for pets, be sure that they abide by them. Remember, CONSISTENCY is the key to successfully training your new rescue companion. Always be on the watch for positive behaviors and give lots of praise for even the slightest attempt your dog makes to do something right. Don't come down hard for every little mistake.

Training and adaptation needs to be fair, fun, and especially POSITIVE for a rescue animal. Canines are very forgiving animals and respond to the way they are treated and will always learn to forgive and learn to love again.

Enjoy your rescue dog. Please feel free to contact me at ABC Pet Services if you have any questions or need help or advice.