Abused dog ever be normal?

mslylbyt

I got my sister's dog when she went to prison the pup was around 9 weeks old chihuahua and I dont know what all happen but the dog is scared of everything.The pup is about 9 months old now and we have tried to do everything we can to give the pup a good new non abusive life. But I dont think the dog can tell me from my sister even tho we are twins I thought dogs could tell the differance in people. The pup doesnt move her tail I know she can use it because when my ex room mate comes around the pup acts ok she will play and take food from him and everything but as soon as she sees me she lays down curls up in kind of like of a ball and will jus stares at me or find a wall or something and jus stare at it not moving or nothing. she will stare at me or whatever object for over 2 hours I timed her one day and it would of lasted longer but I had to go to school. Ive never heard the dog bark. SHe doesnt even sit with her mouth open like all dogs do and stick her tounge out. When we have her out of her room  which is the laundry room she runs and hides under anything  and everything so we blocked everywhere she can hide off like under the couch,under beds under tables so she cant hide any where. She wont eat when anyone is around,she wont take treats from anyone one or eat out ur hand. We have tried everything we know but nothing seems to calm the dog she just sits and shakes. when u sit her on your lap she will put her head by ur side and just stare in 1 direction and only shake. The only person she dont shake around is my ex room mate she will play with  him pay him attention an follow him and lay/sit with him.  the only time she acts anything like a normal dog is when he is around which aint very much since he moved about 5 months ago but when he does come she acts like a different dog but as soon as he leaves the room its back to the scared curled up bent down staring dog. She doesnt growl or bite any of us. But I am out of option of what else to do we have showed her love but she acts like she dont want it. She just wants to runaway and hide from us. I know my house and kids are nothing like my sister house there was drugs an all and who know what else going on over there but I thought dogs could smell sense of people. Any ideas or advice of what else to do.

blue_elle

Anxiety needs to be treated with care. There will probably always be anxiety triggers that will cause the dog to be scared or withdraw, but with time you can reach a state of calm where the dog is more open to interaction. If this isn't something you're willing to be patient with, please please find this dog a good home with someone who knows how to deal with anxiety issues in dogs so he has a chance at a good life.

Regarding the "doesn't sit with her mouth open", this is something dogs do to cool themselves off. If she isn't hot she won't do this.  

Here's some things I recommend -

Give her a safe place where she can "hide" but still see/smell/hear the family - a crate near the living room. Put a sheet over top to make it den like.

Teach your children to be quiet and not force interaction with the dog. Let the dog come to you. Don't force her onto your lap. 

Get on the dog's level - get on the floor so you aren't as big and intimidating. Sit quietly and give treats when she comes near. Work over time to gently petting.  

Is she ok with other dogs? If she's not aggressive, take her to a dog park where she can socialize. This may help her come out of her shell.

Accept that she might always be odd. 

kangjisook

I totally agree with everything that blue-elle suggested!  

My dog was abused and eventually abandoned when she was 7 months old and we were fortune enough to find and keep her.  It took over a year in our very loving home for her to be calm, start playing and acting like a normal, non-abused dog.  It's been over two years now that we've had her and she seems like a whole new dog.  However, she does get into her weird freaked out phases and some triggers still cause her to panic every now and then.

Abused animals have a tendency to chose one person to be their "person" with which they'll warm up to quicker than everyone else.  In your case it was your ex-roommate. This is normal, so you just have to be patient with the poor pup.

 Dogs can sense the difference, but since you are a twin and still look like your sister, you unfortunately remind the pup of your sister and the bad things that happened to her.  All that means is that it's probably going to take a lot longer for the dog to warm up to you.  Since you are providing her with a loving home, just be patient.  It's going to take time, but just keep showing her that you aren't going to hurt her and that you only want to give her love and affection.  Abused dogs can warm up and can not be so freaked out with everything.

 You are also going to want to identify things that especially freak her out.  Things such as yelling or fast movements or anything like that.  The more triggers you can identify and stop (or at least control), the better.  By identifying and stopping whatever is triggering her fear, you'll provide a more comfortable atmosphere for the pup which will encourage her to come out of her shell and warm up to you and your family.  I realize that identifying triggers can be very difficult, especially when she seems freaked out by everything, but just pay close attention to all her reactions to various things. 

I highly recommend getting her a kennel, with a blanket or something to cover it and a nice, comfy dog bed to go inside, just for her.  She'll make it her "safe place" and it will definitely help make her feel much more comfortable.

I also recommend that you get tips from people at your local animal/dog shelters.  Most are run by volunteers who have had a lot of experience with abused animals and will have all sorts of tips and ideas to help you with your pup.  Some might even be willing to help you work with your pup.

Don't force the dog to do anything and try not to get frustrated with her.  I know that it can be frustrating and seem hopeless sometimes, but you can definitely help her and she can warm up and act like a normal pup. 

If it seems that you just can't give her the help she needs, it would be worth asking your ex-roommate if he would want to help her, work with her and maybe give her a forever home, especially since she seems most comfortable with him.  If that isn't an option, please, please give her to a family that knows how to help her and can give her just as good and loving of a home as you have been providing her.

Sorry for the long post!  Situations like this just break my heart!  Best of luck to you and your pup!