How to calm an abused dog?

[JD]

My 5 year old Golden Retriever was abused when she was a puppy.  I got her when she was about 2 years and she has always been scared whenever I am carrying something like a stick, broom, fishing pole, etc..  I have never hit her but she still is so scared of being abused again.......is there anyway to help her feel more comfortable???
Any advice would be great.

[Dr.Bob]

Good question and I wish I had an answer for you.? All I know is she needs as much of love as you can possibly give her.? I do not know if there is a chance she will ever get over it if she has been hit or threatened a lot with objects of that nature. But Goldens are a very trusting breed so there is a chance.? If I were you I would maybe sit down on the floor with what ever it is that she is afraid of and try to show her it is alright.? It is good to get down to their comfort zone with them if you want to help them feel less threatened.?

One thing I know from experience is that Goldens are about the best buddy a guy can have.? And I would bet she will grow to love and trust you a bunch.? That is unless she is a total basket case from being whacked by some a$$hole with a broom!

I'd like to have a few moments alone with anyone who would go so far as to abuse an animal like that.? There are not that many things that will make me fighting mad, but that's one of them!!!

[vickieschessies]

Leech Angler
I don't know a whole lot about goldens but Chuck and I do some Chessy rescue and we took in a female chessy that had been beaten up until she was just about 3 yrs. She developed a thyroid problem due to extreme stress before coming to our home. The 3rd day she was in our home she took a huge crap on my livingroom floor. I walked around her never said Boo cleaned it up. She was just testing me to see if I would beat her. She was totally gun shy and scared to death of storms. Since then she has never messed on the floor and would die before she did. She also,? 2 years ago made 4 blind retrieves on geese. Unfortunately due to the thyroid(she is now 8yrs) she is 90 percent blind but we love her still and this angers me some much that someone could put something with so much love to offer through this. Especially a hunting dog that does nothingg but want to please you.
So for the question. Patience is the key with lots of love. She may change or maybe she will always stay like this. Time will tell.

[Outdoors Junkie]

When I was a teenager, my parents rescued a male Golden that was abused.? This dog was 7 months old and had been running with it's mother and sister.? I gave that dog tons of love, took him through the local obedience classes and became very close with him.? He was scared of objects, loud noises (gunshots & thunder), and men.? We were able to get past all of those fears except the thunder.? When there was a storm he'd get get out and run.? I spent a lot of time with that dog.? If he would show fear towards something, I'd go to him and lay it by him and play with him.? Eventually, there wouldn't he anymore fear towards that object.? It might of took several times of repeating, but eventually the object created no more fear. Example:? He showed fear towards a rake, I brought the rake by him played with him, rolled around on the ground, I used the rake to make a leaf pile and we played in the pile.? I repeated this each day for a week and pretty soon the rake represented a fun game.? He was happy to see me take the rake out, because we were gonna make piles and play.

That dog and I tied for 1st at the 4H state dog show (obedience).? We hunted together, and loved each other.? He past away a few years back.? It was the best dog I have ever owned.? We got past the fears.? So, there is always hope.

[jigglestick]

very cool O.J. nicely done.

[JD]

Thanks for all the info, you all have given me some good points to use.  I hope that she will get over some of this fear.  I also pray that the pri-- that did this to her will pay someday.  She is the best dog that i've ever had and so well mannered.