How long does it take a rescue dog to regain their trust completely?

[OrmIrian]

We were told that the Harlster had attachment issues - hence chewing and barking when left. So far only the chewing has manifested itself - he whines, wuffles and makes other weird sounds but rarely barked unless severely provoked . He is a very very affectionate dog and likes to be as close to people as he can be - which is fine. But it is quite distressing how extremely he reacts to what he seems to perceive as 'punishment'. In the early days he would flinch if you picked up a stick to throw for him. I told him off for eating the cats food - slighly raised voice and exasperated tone rather than anything else - and he ran and hid under the bed! If anyone in the house is having a row he runs away and hides.

I don't quite know where to go with this. It does seem to be getting a little better as the months go by but it is distressing to think he still doesn't entirely trust us.

Any tips?

[Rhinestone]

In my experience it really varies, dog to dog. The following is just what I've done in the past and had good results.

• Hand feed your dog. A bit gross I know but this way he learns that good things come from you! This is a really good way of establishing trust.
  

• Don't comfort him if he's acting scared around something entirely normal, e.g. noisy children, loud TV. If you comfort him you're basically confirming that he's right to be scared! Do talk to him but in a normal, cheerful tone.
  

• Lie on the floor with him and stroke, pet him etc. It's nice to get down to their level.
  

• If he's scared when you pick up a stick, start giving him a treat every time you pick the stick up. Then he'll associate the thing that he is scared of (but doesn't need to be) with something nice. You can even leave the stick on the ground but put a treat on it.
  

• Give him a place in the house that's his, a quiet corner where he knows he's safe. Maybe even a crate but NEVER use the crate as a punishment. It's his little den, NOT a place to shut him away.
  

• There's a great thread on here at the mo about separation anxiety. Lots of good advice there so have a read.
  

Sorry if all that's obvious and you're already doing it. Good luck and great that he now has a happy home with you.

[MrsDanverclone]

It took my dog well over a year, before I think she totally trusted that we weren't going to act violently towards her. Even then, she sometimes occasionally flinched if I moved my hand suddenly, then give me a look as to say 'oh yeah, I don't need to do that'.

We did the hand feeding thing, as she was very hand shy and I also used to use my feet to rub her tummy, as she was very frightened of peoples feet. So that she always had good associations with hands and feet, instead of her experience, which was beatings and kicking.

She was frightened of general household noise, but we just carried on as normal ( well as normal as a house with 3 noisy DC's can be ) and she soon learnt to relax and accept that shrieking and occasional raised voices wouldn't result in a beating for her.

He is a very lucky dog to have found such a loving home

[chickchickchicken]

i would say dog2 took about a year not to automatically flinch at normal household things, such as closing a door. during that year he also looked so grateful for any small kindness we showed him. i found that upsetting as he even just gently calling his name led to him looking at us gratefully as if we had done something amazing

[Elibean]

I imagine it depends on the dog, and their history.

Mouse was named by the dds mostly for being scared of everything - tail between legs, cowering back, hating leaving the house etc. After only 4 weeks he has put on weight, smiles a lot, is far more confident - enough to be a bit naughty! - and has learned how to play with toys. He adores attention.

BUT I don't know if he was ever badly treated as such - neglected, definitely. He also has a deep fear of things like suitcases and bins when encountered on the pavement - possibly because he was dumped in a bin with his littermates as a teeny pup but not of people. He doesn't like white vans much either (taken to pound?? Then to rescue, long journey overseas...then foster...lots of travel). But he doesn't seem to associate bad memories with people, more with specific objects.

That said, my last rescue dog was very very similar - but older (12 months instead of 5) when I got him, so took a little longer to really calm down and trust/attach.

[Tolalola]

Agree with BluddyMoFo. I've had both. One who I got as a little dumped pup, who seemed just a bit scared at first but actually took several years to totally chill, and one who I got as a feral adult who took me literally months to catch, but who, once caught, made herself completely at home in about half an hour.

[OrmIrian]

THanks all. I've been busy taking Harley on lots of walks so couldn't reply Seriously, he misses out on good long walks during the week so we (I ) make up for it at weekends.

I will try the hand-feeding thing. We did a lot of that for sit training and recall training (which still only works if there are no other dogs about!). It never occurred to me he'd need to be trained to feel safe

One thing I have noticed is, if we are walking, he keeps giving me little looks almost just to see if I am still there. I talk to him a lot the entire time which earns me some odd looks.... But I guess when you come from somewhere horrible, to the rescue which is safe but probably not that nice, to somewhere else again, it's going to take time.

He is scared of men he doesn't know. He won't talk comfortably to male strangers although once he gets to know men he's fine with them. He wouldn't go near my dad, my DB or nephew so I gave them food to introduce themselves. Now he loves my dad!

[DejaWho]

Few months for the one of ours who got booted out on the street, hauled in by the dog wardens and hung around in rescue for a couple of months (so had had a bit of a battering).

Didn't notice it at the time - but looking back at photos of him he looks very shut down for a good chunk of time... now, well we've just picked him up from kennels cos we've been away - and the grin from ear to ear, the woofs when our car drove onto the yard and the tornado of tail-wag... said it all really.