Scaredy-Cat, Dogs!

In lots of 'rescue-dog' situations, dogs tend to be big scaredy-cats. Even if you got your dog from a breeder and raised it from a pup, it's personality may still be a bit bitter towards other dogs. Or maybe your dog just runs across the room, wailing, as he hears a crash of thunder! Dogs remember things, remember that. So if you leave a bad impression on your dog, it may stick for a very long time!

Socialize your dog as a pup. Let him meet everything. Water, darkness, thunder, all types of humans, all types of animals, vacuums, ect. Socializing your dog doesn't gurantee it will be perfect and love everything, but it does help a ton! Try not to leave any bad impressions, like I said before, your dog will remember it!

When socializing rescue dogs, you need to be extremely careful and it is probably best to have professional help. Here is an example on how to train a dog to be socialized with something it can't stand.

Example:
Your dog may hate kids, don't stick it's face right up to one. That's going to make your dog scared! Instead, take your dog places where kids might be. Make sure it is far away and can't get loose. (Muzzles are recommended in case your dog gets loose. But, some dogs get stressed because of muzzles.). Let your dog get use to the kids running and playing. Let him be able to sniff the kids scents faintly in the air. Let him do his favorite things. Maybe a nice belly rub, or some treats, or just a nice walk! Eventually your dog may go from tense to relaxed. He should be able to get use to kids! Do this all the time until your dog is completely relaxed around kids. Once he is relaxed, introduce the dog to a kid. (Not just any random one that you don't know! Make sure it is OK with the kids guardians and the kid. Make sure the kid is not scared at all around the dog). Put a muzzle on your dog and let the dog sniff the kid. If he just barks and growls, or shows bad body language, he is not ready to meet the kid and you need to continue taking your dog places around kids. If the dog is tense at first, it is OK it is better then growling or barking! Let your dog get to meet the kid. Once he is good around this kid, let him meet other kids. Over time your dog should be comfortable around kids!