Help! My Rescue Dog Is Scared of Everyone! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“When Rosco, our one-year-old rescue, sees new people he shakes. With men, he runs away. The other day my nephew was let him out, and when he went to let him back in, Rosco jumped the 4ft fence. The dog will not come to anyone but me and my niece. We got him for her to help with her anxiety. We have one cat that will not come in the house any more because Rosco chases that cat, but not the other. He is getting along with my 4 other dogs. Thinking of giving he back to rescue, though we don’t want to. We have fallen in love with Rosco, but this behavior needs to change if possible. Waiting for help.” – Diane
Quick Info about Rosco
Hi Diane,
Rescue dogs can be a challenge as their past might have scarred their perception of the world. The big challenge with these pups is to teach them to trust, and depending on the history of abuse, some of them might never be totally open to strangers, while others will eventually learn to tolerate them while being wary. Your advantage is you have identified the triggers, strangers, and men. You can start to slowly work on changing Rosco’s perception of men by creating a history of positive associations with men. Find ways to get a man to be familiar with and offer Rosco positive experiences, for example, you can have your nephew serve them dinner from a distance. This would be a great and easy starting point. Give him time to understand that this man means good news before you try to push more proximity.
It is important to note that a rescue dog needs help with his own fear and anxiety and it is not recommended as an emotional support or therapy dog. Those dogs need to be emotionally stable themselves.
Chasing one cat away is a different problem. But reading that he came to a household with other 4 dogs and 2 cats, I think he is doing very well for a rescue dog. You will have to focus on one problem at a time. And remember that rescues take some time to settle in.
Best of Luck!
Dr. Paola