Is it possible to rehabilitate fearful dogs?
It is absolutely possible. The probability depends on a lot of factors. I do this all the time and make decisions all the time on probability and facts. Sometimes I make decisions I wish I did not have to make. But that is a part of it. While eliminating the first steps of getting the call from animal control or a worried owner, I will jump right in to the dog and do my best to go through the steps I take: 1. The first thing I want to do is see the extent of the fear. Does the dog lay in the corner and shiver without any sign of a need for human contact? Does he growl and become aggressive as soon as a human gets near? Does he tremble when alone and caged and then jump and growl when people approach? Has he ever bitten anyone? Has he ever harmed another animal? Is there anyway to know what the dog’s background is so some degree of genetics can be determined? These are the most important factors for me. If the Answer to any of those questions are yes, then I really have to take a hard l
