Poor dogs. I'd recommend working with a positive reinforcement -based trainer to gently desensitize the dog.

Proper desensitization works for a number of behavioral issues with dogs, including separation anxiety, some kinds of dog aggression, etc.

A number of the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's property had lived their entire lives chained to trees and had never experienced such everyday activities as going for a walk or riding in a car. Some of the more resiliant dogs were easily acclimated to the real world and now live normal lives in homes with with families and other animals (5 are now certified therapy dogs!). The ones who were more damaged are being cared for at Best Friends Animal Society, where they are being gently introduced to the big wide world.

Sorry for the tangent, but I think it's important to realize how adaptable dogs are, given proper encouragement.

Some updates on the V-dogs:

http://www.ourpack.org/leo.html
http://www.badrap.org/rescue/

http://www.bestfriends.org/dogtown/index.cfm?csid=3799&csii=3800&csit=Set
Source(s):
http://www.ourpack.org/leo.html
http://www.badrap.org/rescue/

http://www.bestfriends.org/


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