Mahindi_small
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Do dogs ever get over the trauma of abuse?

I have a pure rotti who I rescued as a stray 4 years ago. She had been pretty badly abused, starved, mouth wired shut (a guess, she has some scars on her nose) and had been bred out. She still gets very frightened when anything changes (schedule, moving) or if there are loud noises. She is aging now and seems to think that her body pain (joints etc, probably from inbreeding) is more punishment? All i know is that she seems to cower more(or justlays in her crate) when her hips or legs hurt. Is there hope for her to be less fearful?

riotgrrljock asked in Pets about 1 year ago | Report

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3 Answers

  • Grisha-stewart-snow_small
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    They do get over abuse somewhat, especially with good training and rehab. If you do go that route, expect it to take some time and effort. She has had a particularly rough life, so that takes more time to get over.

    With the new pain she's feeling, make sure that you do what you can to lessen that by talking to your vet and possibly a massage therapist or TTouch practitioner. At the very least, realize that her pain may limit her activities, like any of us who age. :)

    AhimsaDogTraining answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Alana_and_brown_dog_small
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    You may also want to consider energy work. Animals really love it. You could also do a little desensitizion -- counterconditioning work. Touch lightly parts of her body that generally hurt her and follow with food or a healthy treat. Everytime you approach her in those locations or times when you know or sense she is skittish -- give her a treat too. You will change the association she has of your approach and/or you touching her in areas that are sore or have had past negative associations. Try not to show her the food first and instead -- approach and treat her or touch her and treat her. Pair positive things for her with touching her body very gently in areas that may hurt her.

    Alana Stevenson answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report
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  • 11443802614723fe566385e_small
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    A dog is just as complex and opaque of a being as a person, so the answer is the same: it depends.

    I've had dogs that came into our home after being abandoned, beaten, neglected and gods only know what else, and most of them bounced back after a few years and seemed no worse for the wear. Others, and one in particular, never did. Again, it's the same as a person: you can't help the dog or push the dog to get over its trauma, you have to just love it, respect it, accept it for what it is, and trust the dog to deal with its issues in its own way.

    Some dogs, ever after a lifetime of love, will never get over their first one or two years of horrible life. They definitely get better, but its never gone. Same goes for cats.

    Like Frodo said, "some wounds just run too deep."

    Lilting Missive answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report
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