Instructions
Pay close attention to the rescued dog. Your goal is to try to recognize weaknesses in his socialization. For example, the dog might be afraid of certain types of people, such as tall men. Have the dog interact with one or two tall men while they're sitting down. Have the men feed him treats and give him plenty of attention before standing. Repeat this process until the dog is comfortable around tall men.
Take the dog out for daily walks. On these walks, you'll most likely encounter different people and other dogs. Slowly, the dog will become more and more comfortable in the familiar neighborhood. Once he's comfortable, start taking him on different routes, so he can see and get used to different buildings, people and animals.
Use treats to help socialize the dog. Start by leaving dog treats near a sitting person. Make sure the person remains quiet and doesn't make any sudden moves. Eventually, the dog will come closer to get the treat. Move the treats closer and closer until the dog is eating out of the person's hand. This may take several attempts over an extended period of time, but be patient.
Don't attempt to punish the dog for anti-social behavior. Punishment can actually encourage anxious, fearful, aggressive or hostile behaviors in dogs. If you punish the dog around people or other dogs, he could associate punishment with meeting new people or being around other dogs. Always use positive reinforcement instead of punishment. Reward the dog when he does well with dog treats, attention and love.
Don't be anxious around the dog. If you get tense when another dog enters a room or comes near the rescue dog, the rescue dog will feel your tension and start to bark or growl at the new dog. When walking the dog, avoid tightening the leash when a person or another dog approaches. If the dog's flight or fight response has been triggered, the tightening of the leash leaves him with no choice but to fight.
Introduce positive elements when the dog is around other dogs. Give the dog his favorite toy, distract him with dog treats, or give him praise while the other dog approaches at a safe distance. Eventually, the rescue dog will associate other dogs with rewards, such as treats, toys and attention from you, and he may even enjoy the company of other dogs.
How to Save Under-socialized Rescue Dogs
Dogs that are rescued and brought to a shelter can often be under-socialized. This means that the dog doesn't understand how to properly behave around humans or other dogs. There are specific challenges in socializing an adult dog, as opposed to a puppy, and if you choose to save an under-socialized dog, you need to be well prepared for these challenges.