How to Train an Abused Dog

Begin training your dog's focus and attention. You should be the most interesting thing in his life. When your dog focuses on you, he will not care about the distractions around him, resulting in decreased fear and anxiety. Train your dog how to focus on you by using the cue “watch.” Hold a treat between your eyes and when your dog looks at the treat, either click with a training clicker or use a positive reinforcing word, like “yes.” Immediately reward your dog with a treat. When your dog looks into your face consistently, say the “watch” cue. Continue this training until your dog looks into your eyes whenever you give him the cue. Build up the time he must look at you gradually, until your dog focuses on you even when there are distractions.

Continue training with the cue “leave it.” If an abused dog shows any signs of aggression to people or other animals, you can keep him under control with this command. This cue also teaches your dog self-control, which is critical for many abused dogs that rely on instinctual impulses for survival. When your dog learns “leave it,” he will know what you expect from him and will trust that you know what is best. You can use this cue for many situations when you want your dog to stop an unwanted behavior, such as touching an object, barking at someone who walks by or lunging toward another dog. Begin training the cue “leave it” by holding a treat in your hand and letting your dog sniff it. Eventually, he will look away from your hand, hoping you will give it to him. As soon as he looks away from your hand, click or say “yes.” Immediately give him a better treat than the one in your hand. Add the cue “leave it” when your dog looks away from your hand consistently. Eventually, place the treat on the floor and train in the same way. When your dog knows the cue, begin using it with other objects, other dogs and people.

Teach your dog socialization skills. Many abused dogs have experienced negative, cruel experiences from people and the outside world. They lack the socialization skills that provide confidence in the world around them and with the people in their lives. Begin socializing your dog as soon as he trusts you to be in charge of his world and protect him for danger, which you enforced when teaching “watch” and “leave it.” Begin socializing your dog slowly with only a few friends. Keeping your dog on a leash, allow a friend to approach your dog. If your dog remains calm, immediately click and treat or say “yes” and treat. Your dog learns that not all people want to hurt him. Continue this training until your dog is comfortable around people who come to your house. Eventually, bring your dog on a short walk where he can pass by other people. If he becomes fearful or aggressive, use the “leave it” cue and treat him. Ignoring other people and dogs is such a big step for an abused dog that you can give him a jackpot of several treats when he ignores others and focuses on you. Your dog knows immediately how he should respond to other people and trusts in your positive reinforcement.