Abuse and neglect can leave a lasting mark on the dogs affected by it. Not only can it leave them scarred, but they can also show signs of abuse through their actions.

Fortunately, many owners who adopt a dog that has been abused or neglected can work with them to overcome their fears and live a life free of the pain from their past.

Blaine adopts an abused dog

A man named Blaine knew he had his work cut out for him when he adopted a pit bull named Penni. Penni had been found in bad shape in the basement of a drug house. When he first adopted her, he noticed how she would never look him in the eyes.

She would sit in the corner and refuse to even go on walks. Blaine had never met a dog so scared in his life.

Penni finds her true passion in life

Penni’s fear was eased when the pair moved from New Jersey to Las Vegas, Nevada. Blaine started taking her on hikes with him, and soon he discovered her true passion in life.

Little by little, her demeanor started to change as she finally began to come out of her shell. And while she still showed signs of anxiety, her life had changed significantly.

Penni became like a new dog

She was no longer afraid to interact with the people around her. She had found her true calling and now goes places with her dad whenever she can. As for Blaine, he wouldn’t trade her for anything, and he even posts pictures of their adventures together on Penni’s Instagram page.

How to handle a dog that has been neglected or abused

If you plan on adopting a dog that has suffered from neglect or abuse, you should keep a few things in mind. First, you will more than likely have to work to gain their trust. In many cases, the animal shelter or foster home where you got them from probably tried to rehabilitate them as best as they could, but trust is something earned and usually not given right away.

You should also give them the space they need if they become overwhelmed or scared. If your dog acts afraid, it’s not a reflection on you, but it is a sign of the pain they have gone through. By giving them the space and love they need, you help ensure that they can learn to love and trust in return.

Once you have gained the trust of an abused or neglected dog, you need to work with them to convince them that they have nothing to fear from you. Teach them that they can actually have a happy life. In some cases, this might require additional behavioral therapy.

But by remaining patient and calm with your dog, you can give them the strength they need to recover from their abusive life before they met you.

For more on Blaine and Penni and their mutual love for hiking, check out the video below.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Facebook/The Dodo

H/T: Paw My Gosh, The Dodo, PetMD