The statistics on animal abuse are alarming. Abuse of dogs can range from dogfights to neglect to physical and emotional mistreatment. Around 1.5 million dogs are rescued from abuse and neglect each year, according to the Animal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASCPA). Animal shelters and rescues work to find these dogs safe and caring homes. Approximately one-fourth of all dogs in homes are adopted from animal rescue centers. Whether you have an abused dog, are considering adopting one, or just love dogs, you may have questions about the psychological effects of abuse on dogs and their memories of mistreatment.
Signs of Physical and Emotional Abuse in Dogs
The signs of abuse can vary depending on whether it is physical or emotional. Physical abuse is more visibly apparent due to visible scars, while emotional abuse impacts a dog’s behavior patterns and responses. Maladaptive behavior patterns, such as food aggression, aggression towards people or animals, separation anxiety, and fear responses, are signs of abuse and neglect. Abused dogs often exhibit fearful, aggressive, unpredictable, or anxious body language. They may growl, snap, show teeth, stare, or guard their food when aggressive. Fearful dogs may hide and avoid people, while neglected puppies may exhibit separation anxiety by crying and destroying things when left alone. Traumatized and abused dogs may also exhibit signs of hiding to protect themselves and may remember abuse through simple triggers like raised hands or the tone of a former owner, resulting in growling or attacks. These dogs may struggle with trust and exhibit fear, startle easily, and display unpredictable behavior. Grooming or introducing them to new people can be challenging.
Body Language
Abused dogs often display the following body language:
– Growling
– Staring
– Guarding
– Shaking
– Cowering
Other Signs
Additional signs of abused dogs may include:
– Unpredictable aggression
– Showing teeth
– Not allowing touch
– Hiding and avoiding other animals or people
– Crying when left alone
– Aversion to specific objects, people, or sounds
The History of Dog Abuse
Animal cruelty is a form of conduct disorder or antisocial personality disorder in which a person abuses animals and people. It often starts at a young age, with studies showing a link between animal cruelty and criminal behaviors. In response to these crimes, laws against animal mistreatment have been established in most states. Animal cruelty is now recognized as a signal of pathology in the person committing the abuse, leading to training for identifying signs of abuse across species. Unfortunately, animal mistreatment is often under-reported, leading to high pet turnover in abusive homes. Children who grow up in homes where pets are abused may repress their kindness towards animals and become abusive themselves. The efforts of humane societies, law enforcement, and communities are crucial in providing education, protection, and hope for the future.
The Science Behind Dog Abuse
The effects of physical abuse are more studied than neglect and psychological abuse. Dogs do not have episodic memories like humans, but they do have long-term memory and can remember positive and negative events. While the exact memories dogs recall from abuse are unknown, their maladaptive behaviors indicate conditioning and memories of the abuse. Emotional abuse has more enduring effects than physical abuse, leading to mistrust, social withdrawal, physical inactivity, and depression.
Training a Formerly-Abused Dog
Abused dogs often have behavior problems that result in them being relinquished to animal shelters. These problems include aggression, fear towards unfamiliar humans and dogs, attention-seeking behavior, hyperactivity, persistent barking, and stereotypic behaviors. With patience, training, and help from a trainer, these problems can be overcome. It is important to attend to the dog’s health needs and make them feel safe. Establishing safe spaces, routines for feeding, and protecting the dog from fears are essential. Gradual introductions to new situations and positive outcomes can help the dog become comfortable. For dogs with separation anxiety, providing activities for when they are alone is beneficial. Working with a trainer can teach clicker training and other signals to communicate with the dog.
Safety Tips for Abused Dogs
– Provide for the dog’s physical needs to keep them healthy.
– Establish a safe space in your home for the dog.
– Teach the dog to accept the leash for their safety and the safety of others.
“Helping abused dogs heal: Understanding the psychological effects and providing the right care.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Recognize the signs of physical and emotional abuse in dogs, such as aggression, fear responses, and separation anxiety. These signs may vary based on the type of abuse and the age of the dog when it was traumatized.
2️⃣ Understand that abused dogs may exhibit certain body language, such as growling, staring, or shaking, to express their distress and protect themselves. They may also show aversion to specific objects, people, or sounds.
3️⃣ When training a formerly abused dog, prioritize their health and safety. Establish safe spaces in your home for the dog to retreat to, establish routines for feeding, and protect them from triggers that cause fear or anxiety. Work with a trainer to learn positive reinforcement techniques like clicker training to help your dog overcome their behavior problems.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. What are some signs of physical and emotional abuse in dogs?
Signs of physical abuse may include visible scars, while signs of emotional abuse can manifest as maladaptive behavior patterns such as food aggression, aggression towards people or animals, separation anxiety, and fear responses.
2. How do abused dogs typically exhibit their distress through body language?
Abused dogs may display body language such as growling, snapping, showing teeth, staring, guarding their food, hiding, avoiding people, and cowering.
3. Is there a link between animal cruelty and abusive behavior towards humans?
Yes, studies have found that individuals who are cruel to animals are also inclined to demonstrate criminal behaviors, suggesting a link between animal cruelty and abuses towards humans.
4. Can dogs remember their abuse?
While dogs do not have episodic memories like humans, there is evidence that they have long-term memory. Dogs can remember positive and negative events, and their maladaptive behaviors are believed to be conditioned responses to their abuse.
5. How can I help a formerly-abused dog overcome behavior problems?
Patience, training, and assistance from a professional trainer are key. It is important to attend to the dog’s health needs, provide a safe space, establish routines, protect them from fears, use positive reinforcement, and gradually introduce them to new situations.
