How to help a timid rescue dog bond with a child after absence?

You are doing a good job. Some dogs take years to relax with other people. I recommend taking Mindy, with both you and your husband, to a group obedience class. She will gain confidence when she learns commands and it will help her to be around other dogs and people. You can also try the natural supplement Solliquin. It helps reduce anxiety during training and I’ve found with rescue dogs it helps them with adjusting to a new environment. Continue to be patient and don’t force the issue as that may make it worse. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Mindy.

This will take time to overcome. It's best if he ignores her, sits down and doesn't look or talk with her. Over time she will get used to him and hopefully then she will seek him out. I've had success reducing this anxiety with the supplement Solliquin. Taking Evie to an obedience class will expose her to new people and animals and help her gain confidence in different situations. Once she is trained if she enjoys walks you can start walking her on a leash and have your husband come along so she is focused on walking and having fun with him around. I have a dog who is also scared of my husband and it's taken over a year for him to start to relax. He does enjoy waking and will go with my husband willingly when on the leash. Be patient, Evie should relax once she's settled into your household. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Evie.

Use a pheromone product such as the Adaptil collar or DAP plug in diffuser. Either may decrease any anxiety. If your daughter is old enough, have her feed Bambi and offer treats and toys to him. She can play or interact with him for very short periods of time initially. This time can be increased as he acclimates. Always use praise and reward as he progresses. Be patient and be consistent. Do not force him to play or interact. If your daughter is an infant, show her to Bambi for ever increasing periods of time. If she is crying or moving, go slow as this could be scary to him, especially if he's never seen a baby.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and for being brave enough to ask this question. The great news is that Callie is young! The best things I can recommend for bonding are training and play. Training doesn’t have to be rigid or be done for hours a day. Work on fun tricks together and if you feel that you (or Callie) is getting frustrated, stop for a break or try the next day. Training is so positive because it gives Callie clear expectations with predictable consequences and increases her trust in you as she learns to understand that you will react the same each time. Play is also important but obvious avoid any actions that she might be wary of. Eg, be sure to throw things away from her to fetch rather than toward her as she might confuse this with you throwing something AT her. In general, sqautting down to be at her level and keeping your hands mostly palm-up are helpful in avoiding scenarios that might make her anxious. Exercise in any form is good for her mental health and will decrease anxiety in general. I hope this helps and I wish you and Callie all the best in a brand new, wonderful relationship.

The best thing to do is to give her a lot of TLC. I would try to keep things quiet for a little while in the home. I would not force her into any uncomfortable situations like a lot of visitors. I would make sure you give her treats for positive behaviors like going outside or coming to you when called. She will learn that you are her new “person” before long but just be patient with her. I hope this helps!

If you just adopted her yesterday it is still very soon for her to be warmed up to you. It can take a full 2 weeks for dogs to be completely comfortable at a home and with the people that adopted them. I would just give her lots of love and patience. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I would make sure that you take your time with Sabo and do not approach him too quickly. Let him come to you and reward him when he does come to you. A good way to do this is to sit down and call him over to you. When he comes, reward him with petting him and giving him a treat. You can also you things like an Adaptil collar to help make him feel calm and at ease. You can find this product at your local Petco or online. Time and patience will lead to him trusting you more. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.