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hi my girlfriend and I recused 2 begale brothers from our local SPCA back in febuary. Well we found out quick that they were very scared of ALOT, from celing fans to loud noises to sometimes us. Sometimes when we call them over or walk over to them they will cower down and put there tail between thier legs even if we are talking in high pitched vocies and petting them softly. Even when they jump up and want us to touch them or we just walk over to pet them their tail goes right between there legs until we are done. They never wags there tails when we pet them. Well the SPCA gave no info on why they were taken there but we think they were beaten just from the way they act. Now my questions are how long does it take them to forget the abuse they suffered from their other owner and how can we help them forget or just help them to not be so scared and or sciddish. thank you.

>>hi my girlfriend and I recused 2 begale brothers from our local SPCA back in febuary. Well we found out quick that they were very scared of ALOT, from celing fans to loud noises to sometimes us. Sometimes when we call them over or walk over to them they will cower down and put there tail between thier legs even if we are talking in high pitched vocies and petting them softly. Even when they jump up and want us to touch them or we just walk over to pet them their tail goes right between there legs until we are done. They never wags there tails when we pet them. Well the SPCA gave no info on why they were taken there but we think they were beaten just from the way they act. Now my questions are how long does it take them to forget the abuse they suffered from their other owner and how can we help them forget or just help them to not be so scared and or sciddish. thank you.>>>

Whether or not they can fully recover is something you won't know until you just work with them as time passes and see how it goes. The little book "Help for Your Shy Dog," by Deborah Wood, has great information about how to handle these types of dogs.

Encourage the dogs to come to you, rather than you going to them. Try a natural tone of voice to see if perhaps that's more comfortable for them than a high-pitched voice. Dogs are different from each other as to what tone of voice works best, and they could even have negative associations with high voices. Avoid bending over the pups. Sitting on the floor or squatting down is less intimidating to shy dogs.

Use food to help them. Use games and other things they like. Make their lives fun. Don't overwhelm them with activities--dogs need a LOT of sleep. Give them time to adjust to your home--at least two weeks--before you do much in terms of outings, having people over, training class, etc. Let them rest and settle in.

Do get that book. It's very helpful.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com