Socializing Neglected Dogs?

Question

The shelter I work at has acquired a few dogs that were seized in a cruelty investigation, the dogs were severely neglected and a few dogs on the property had died(over 100 total). The dogs are extremely thin and quite timid, but have already shown improvement. They went from shaking in the back of the kennel avoiding everyone as much as possible to the point where they will all come up to you, give kisses, two quite excited about it, one very timid but a lover and will ease it's way next to you, and one that is very timid, still shakes occasionally, flees from loud noises, will only half approach but also gives kisses and leans into touch.

Obviously it's going to be a long road to physical and mental recovery, but they are at no risk of being euthanized(not even food aggressive!) and we are going to work with them as much as possible.

These dogs cannot yet be walked outside - WAY too cold as they have no insulation/fat at all, and not sure if they can be walked around the shelter yet(disease risk, may still be too timid to have the volunteers near them). Today I brushed the two most timid as they had large chunks of fur and were very dirty - both were very tolerant and accepting, enjoyed the attention and hopefully feel as much better as they look. One of the others was able to be groomed a few days ago. I did not groom the 4th one because his coat isn't near as bad as the others were and I only had time for two, maybe tomorrow I'll get to him.

Just wondering if anyone had any other ideas on ways to help socialize them. Obviously just spending time with them, working on training(they seem pretty smart and want food very much), and brushing them are things we're already working on. They can not be walked outside yet, but once they can be they will be. Not sure if they can be walked inside to do meet & greets yet. They can not be with dogs other than eachother.

So yeah, we pretty much have all the basic ideas down, just wondering if there were any creative ones we could use.

Dogmom CA · Accepted Answer

This will be a slow process, and the primary ingredient is patience. Go slowly, it's easier to avoid overstressing the dog than to undo a bad experience. Provide lots of positive reinforcement, and ignore any negative behavior while removing the dog from the situation that causes it. Here is an additional link to some great socialization info : http://www.gsdhelp.info/behaviour/socialization.html. I also recommend the book "On Talking Terms with Dogs", by Turid Rugaas, which is an excellent and easy to understand guide to reading the many signals our dogs give us that we miss. It can help tremendously in detecting stress in these dogs before behavior breaks down. This allows you to reinforce the dogs for accepting stressful situations gracefully. Here is a link to a website with some basics:  http://www.dog-pictures.co.uk/dog-care-articles/calming_signals_turid.shtml. The link to order the book, which is only about $13:  http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&ISBN=9781929242368&ourl=On%2DTalking%2DTerms%2Dwith%2DDogs%2FTurid%2DRugaas&cm_mmc=yahoossp-_-plp-_-books3-_-On-Talking-Terms-with-Dogs-9781929242368

Bless you and the facility you work with for taking the time to help these poor dogs. Please be sure the adoptive parents understand that this will be a lifetime job!

cgmcalli · Answer

I think everything you are doing is right.  You have to take it slow and be patient with dogs that have been taken from that particular environment.  I would definitely avoid meet and greets with other dogs as that would be too overwhelming.  The only thing I could suggest is when trying to get them used to other dogs that they are not familar with with is to walk the dog on one side of you and then a ways a way have the other person walk the other dog on the opposite side.  Eventually decrease the distance between you.  The second the dog reacts you distract by changing positions!  Good luck!

alex l · Answer

We rescued a pit bull from the streets (we still own her today) and she was very skittish. She was more scared of guys (me) and more open and trusting to women. I started laying with her on the ground, so that she was literally standing taller than me and it seemed to help. I think if a dog is looking down on a human they don't feel as threatened in my opinion, or at least with our pit.

Anonymous · Answer

Lots of love and attention. Your results will show in a very short time. Just let them know they can trust you.

Dogmabitesmanonleg · Answer

You might get some ideas you can adapt at the link below:

Socializing Neglected Dogs?

5 Answers