“ They were abused before we got them”.

Do you actually know this or is that what you think because they are scared of certain things/ people. Fear is often misdiagnosed. More often than not fear in dogs results from their lack of  socialization. If your dog is scared of tall men in hats, it does not necessarily mean that they were abused by a tall man in a hat but more likely they have rarely seen a tall man in a hat. 

When you hold on to these backstories you create barriers in your dog’s training potential.  Rather than dismissing your dog’s behavior because they were “abused”, help your dog gain confidence and overcome their fears.

Confidence drills combined with obedience training is the key to breaking those barriers and allowing your dog to live their life to the fullest. Your rescue dog is in a new home with their new family. Don’t let them ( or yourselves) dwell in their past but rather be the leaders they need to overcome their old situation whether it was actual abuse or simply negligence.

They need you- as their new owners to help overcome their insecurities. Build trust. Build confidence. Build a relationship.