Labrador Retrievers

We had a black lab that was part of our family, someone lured her out of our yard with raw meat and a bone. During our search for her we had a reply from someone that could have possibly found her. When we went to go look at the dog they had we realized it was not our Andy Girl. My two year old saw the black dog and says "IT'S ANDY!!!". So we decided to take her home, and take her in as a replacement. The man told us that he found her running around in the neighborhood, later he found out that a boy down his block had also found her running around in someone else neighborhood a few days earlier. We do not know what kind of people she has been around, we do not know how she has been treated. She is very scared and skiddish of everyone, but she is worse with men. My husband can take one step towards her and she pee's all over herself. I have come very attached to her VERY quickly and I want her to know she can trust us. Does anyone have any suggestions on working with her to gain her trust again?

I personally don't but I can suggest maybe calling a local rescue. They deal with stuff like that all the time. I'm sure they will be happy to give you tips and advice.

You did a good thing saving the pup. I hope you find yours.

It takes time and patience. When we first got Alice, she was beaten up, covered in ticks, malnourished, and VERY afraid of men. We've had her since July and she now lays on my husband like he's a pillow and is very healthy and active.
Just take it slow. You will have to be her primary caretaker, then as she warms to you, she will warm to your family as well. Remember that a skittish dog is unpredictable, so don't push too fast. Do call a shelter as suggested for more advice. We had great success in socializing by taking her to Petsmart for daycamp once a week. They did something called "independent play" where we paid a dollar more and it was just play with Alice and a person she didn't know. Then they gradually worked her in to the play group and she is amazing now. I am so glad you are giving a good home to this dog. Good luck!

Alice before:
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/takuskanskan/9b6bfaa9f1b5.jpg

Alice after!
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/takuskanskan/cooperaliceresize.jpg

It breaks my heart each and every time I hear of an animal that has endured such a horrific ordeal that almost every aspect of its life is affected. We have had our beautiful, sweet Angel (a lighter colored Finnish Spitz) for just about 3 1/2 years now, after getting her from a couple who was dropping her off at the animal shelter. They had not brought her inside yet and I had not planned on adopting that day. My nine year old son and I were just there to look that day (we had no money on us) but I had actually been praying to bring a dog to our family who needed us and whom we needed. When I saw her and held out my hand to her, she shyly sniffed my hand and kissed it ever so gentlly. Needless to say, it was love at first sight. The couple handed her over and we brought her home. I knew in my heart that she had had a hard life so far and her every action proved me right. She cowered and peed if anyone moved to fast or spoke to loudly, she would not eat out of a bowl-it had to be a plate or on the ground and then she would take a small piece, take it to a corner and eat it quickly before coming back to "sneak" anoter piece. We discovered a huge gash on the back, side of her tounge, and there were scars on her nose that looked like puncture wounds. She was terrified of having her paws touched and I had to finally bring her to the vet in order to have her nails clipped. This poor baby had to be muzzled and sedated and she still literally screamed in terror during the entire procedure. By this time we had managed to gain quite a bit of her trust however this obvious "betrayal" set us back for quite a few days. Strangers terrified her, as did water (baths) and many other things and situations. It took a lot of time and a ton of patience. We had to be ever so mindful of our actions around her-no raising our voices-even towards each other- and, of course, we never scolded her. She never needed scolding as she was so conciencious of wanting to please us that we only had to make our expectations gently and carfully clear one or two times before she understood what it was that we wanted and would proudly comply. Eventually she began to enjoy her daily walks as she grew to love and trust us and she soon got to the point where she truly enjoyed meeting other people. Today she is a very happy dog, loves most people and other animals and she loves life! There are still some things that she doesn't like-vets, having her nails trimmed, being around any form of argument, etc., but she sleeps with us every night and is truly one of the sweetest dogs I've ever had. I am so very grateful and lucky to have her in my life and feeling her love, gratitude and happiness makes all the effort more than worth it. I wish you all the luck and love in the world and hope that your baby gives you all the joy that our Angel has given us.