Abused dogs (poodle, toy, shaking, aggressive) - - City-Data Forum

Buddie01 · 02-02-2009, 08:00 PM

If a owners treats their dog nicely but after awhile hurt and abuse them will the dog show fear and act abused?

Wicked Felina · 02-02-2009, 10:04 PM

I think that those dogs may even show excessive agression. I had a neighbor who, I later learned, would kick his Rottie if he (the human) was in a bad mood. That dog was intimidated by his owner, but very agressive towards all other men, and to every dog that crossed its path.

So, yes, the dog will not be well-adjusted and may 'snap' if it perceives someone or something may hurt it. That's my opinion, others may have different ideas.

need4Trees · 02-02-2009, 10:08 PM

oh, yes and it is so so so sad.

makes me very mad.
Yes can all act different. Just like a human that has been abused, it changes a person and a dog.
They may snap out of fear.

APBT_Samara · 02-03-2009, 03:36 PM

It highly depends on the dog, how well they cope, their personality and the type of abuse, length, ect.

I've had dogs that were abused before and been around other abused rescue dogs too. They acted different or shared some similarities.

They might act fearful to people, or if people do something specific. Raise their voice, pick up a stick something that reminds them of what happened to them.

Others are shy and nervous in general, cowering, shying away from people. Even when the person is being calm and nice.

Some are fine mostly but hand shy if they were slapped around a lot they probably think they are going to get hit even though the new owner is just going to pet them or do something else.

Aggression can also be an issue, as an above posters example. The dog won't cross the owner but will be fearfully aggressive to other people.

Some might have a little shyness but adjust very well once they see other people can be trusted.

Sometimes they don't act much different at all then a dog who wasn't abused. They are not aggressive. They don't act scared but actually friendly and really affectionate with people.

old_cold · 02-04-2009, 07:14 AM

As with people, it is hard to trust when treatment isn't consistant.....never knowing whether you're going to get stroked or slapped.
How that inabilty to trust affects behavior can be different in each situation

jgreersr · 04-17-2011, 12:11 PM

I just adopted an 8 month old toy poodle from a shelter. They said he had only been there for a week, but that he shook violently and stayed in a corner of the cage the hole time he was there.
When we went to pick him up, he was shaking so bad I took him from the ladies arms and just held him close to me as I petted him slowly while talking to him. He calmed some right there and then but not much.
Once he was home with us he began to play and lay with me after a few days, but when I try to aproach him he wants to run and hide. As long as I let him make the first move he does great. He seems to be afraid of people and takes him a long while to except them, if he does at all. He will not eat treats from my hand as I try to reward him for going out to potty.
How can I get him to feel safe in our home? I don't know for sure but I feel he has been slapped or beaten repetedly, not to for get abannedoned to a shelter.

latetotheparty · 04-17-2011, 12:15 PM

Va-Cat · 04-17-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgreersr

I just adopted an 8 month old toy poodle from a shelter. They said he had only been there for a week, but that he shook violently and stayed in a corner of the cage the hole time he was there.
When we went to pick him up, he was shaking so bad I took him from the ladies arms and just held him close to me as I petted him slowly while talking to him. He calmed some right there and then but not much.
Once he was home with us he began to play and lay with me after a few days, but when I try to aproach him he wants to run and hide. As long as I let him make the first move he does great. He seems to be afraid of people and takes him a long while to except them, if he does at all. He will not eat treats from my hand as I try to reward him for going out to potty.
How can I get him to feel safe in our home? I don't know for sure but I feel he has been slapped or beaten repetedly, not to for get abannedoned to a shelter.

From what you are describing, the pup could have been abused but could also just be completely freaked out by the shelter experience and is now seriously lacking trust for all humans. Give him time and use patience with him and he will come to understand that he can trust you. Most important - Gentle voice, gentle hands at all times at first. When approaching him, go down to his level, not over the top of him. Get down on the floor and sit quietly with a few tasty treats. Gently call him holding the treat out. For a while he may only come close enough to get the treat. As he starts to trust you, he will start to come closer to you. When he is close enough, slowly reach out under-handed and gently pet his chest. Do not reach over his head. That will scare him. With time and patience he will come around. Taking it slowly and gently will help the process along. DM me if I can be of any help.