09/12/2023
Dogs who have been abused may develop various survival behaviours in an attempt to avoid or mitigate the threat of further harm:
Hiding or Avoidance: One of the most common survival behaviours is the tendency to hide or avoid certain situations, objects, or people. This can range from specific triggers related to the abuse to more general contexts or individuals.
Flight: Dogs may resort to running away or attempting to escape when confronted with stressful situations. This might become more pronounced if they perceive themselves to be cornered or threatened.
Freezing: In stressful situations, some dogs may freeze, a behaviour often mistaken for obedience or calmness. However, it's actually a fear response, with the dog hoping to be overlooked by posing as a non-threat.
Appeasement Gestures: These are submissive behaviours meant to deflect aggression, such as showing the belly, lowering the body, tail tucking, licking the air, and avoiding direct eye contact.
Aggression: In some cases, previously abused dogs might become aggressive when fearful. It is their way of protecting themselves when they perceive a threat.
Hyper-vigilance: These dogs may constantly monitor their environment for potential threats. This can result in restlessness, difficulty in settling down, and reactions to seemingly minor stimuli.
Resource Guarding: This involves protective behaviour over food, toys, space, or people. This may manifest as growling, snarling, or even biting if someone approaches their 'guarded' object or person.
Understanding these survival behaviours can help in providing a safe, understanding, and supportive environment to help an anxious, abused dog heal and grow more confident. Professional help from a dog behaviourist or trainer experienced in working with traumatised dogs can be immensely beneficial in these cases.
Learn more about the fearful behaviour of dogs through our Canine Fear course: https://www.canineprinciples.com/course/canine-fear-certificate-course
