How to Make a Rescued Dog Like You

It is important to build a bond with your dog to encourage it to trust and respect you. A dog that respects you will also listen to you when you are giving commands. Rescued dogs that have been mistreated may be fearful and struggle to trust people. According to DogsWorld101, there are a number of exercises you can use to get a dog to feel a positive association with you. When working to build a dog's confidence around people, be patient and consistent in your efforts.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
  • Leash
  • Crate
  • Toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Build your rescued dog's confidence gradually if it shows signs of being shy and fearful. Encourage the dog to approach you using a soft speaking voice and special treats, such as a small piece of chicken or cheese. Do this while sitting on the floor to appear less threatening to the dog. Avoid petting or picking up the dog, as this can trigger fearful behavior. Instead, ignore the dog when it appears fearful and praise it when it appears to have made progress. Be patient, as the process of gaining a fearful dog's trust can take a long time. The presence of another dog who already trusts you can help to show the new dog that you can be trusted.

    • 2

      Put the dog on a leash and tie the end of it to your belt. Spend time going about your business in the home with the dog bound to you. According to CanineDimensions, this exercise will encourage the dog to see you as its leader and protector. When the dog is not tied to you in this fashion, it should be left in a crate in a quiet environment. Practice this exercise for the first few days after bringing the rescued dog into the home.

    • 3

      Play with the dog every day to build a relationship with it. For this you can use a variety of toys or games, such as fetch and tug-of-war. CanineDimensions recommends playing with a dog regularly to build its confidence. Enforce your role as the pack leader by deciding when the game begins and ends, as this will encourage the dog to respect and listen to you. Fulfill your dog's needs by taking it for a walk on a daily basis as this will strengthen the bond between you and make it happy.