How to Form Trust With a Puppy That Was Abandoned

An abandoned puppy probably has not had any kind of regular care or interaction with people. Often the dog has been abused in various ways or, at the very least, he has been neglected. It will be hard for a puppy with such experiences in his short life to learn to trust people; but with careful handling you will be able to develop a bond of trust with the pup, allowing him to become an excellent friend and companion.

  1. Food

    • One of the biggest issues an abandoned puppy faces is what to eat. Without his mother or a human to care for him, the dog may be starving and emaciated. Feeding the puppy a nutritionally complete food gives him an idea that he can turn to you to take care of his needs. Experts recommend that you start with just a little at first, giving a meal's worth over the course of a couple hours. Increase the quantity of the food and extend the periods between meals slowly, without adding supplements that may end up overwhelming the pup̵7;s digestive system. To help develop a bond, make sure the puppy gets enough food, and be sure he sees that you are the one giving it to him.

    Patience

    • Don̵7;t force the puppy to confront things or situations he fears. If you want to pet him, try to coax him to come to you rather than forcing him by pulling on his collar or cornering and grabbing him. If you force him you may make the puppy more afraid of you. Place treats or a favorite toy near objects he fears so that he will learn that he can approach them without injury. At first, place the treats far from the object, then move them gradually closer until the pup realizes the ̶0;scary̶1; object won̵7;t hurt him. If he is afraid of you, try placing his food near where you are sitting and eventually move to feeding him treats from your hand.

    Training

    • Obedience training is an excellent way to build the bond of trust between you and your dog. An abandoned puppy may have been removed from his mother too early and so may not understand proper social behavior. He may also be clueless as to what you expect from him. Gentle, age-appropriate obedience training helps your puppy to comprehend your expectations, and the guidance and praise he gets will help him to see you as a source of pleasure, further increasing his trust in you.

    Don̵7;ts

    • There are some things that you should never do with any dog, but especially with a puppy that has been abandoned and may be more fearful than most. The main thing to remember is that you must never hit him, or you will destroy any trust you have built. Never yell at him, because this will make him fearful; it may make a dog that is timid afraid of you forever. Last, don̵7;t handle the puppy roughly for any reason, since even something as simple as pulling too hard on a mat while you are brushing him can make him afraid, even if it was unintentional.