sudden act of fears

Question
my friends rescued a 1 year old female blk lab her name be royal.upon arrival i went down and evaluated the dog for them (im not a vet just a general person) she seemed very comfartable with new surroundings and such very healthy. we were aasked today to look at some soars on royals neck it looks like it may be a bite or allergy to collar.heres my concern upon arrival royal was under stairs cowering and very nervous and it took some coxing to get her out she did not want anything to do with me but my wife she was more acceptable towards her. the soars are mild and i feel that applying bag balm and a close eye on it she will fair well.she was acting very nervous and scared. abuse? not from these owners no.but we do live in a trailer park could be other kids abusing her sound like im on the right track or should i seek other areas

Answer
Kids plus an unattended dog can be a big problem.  If so, I would put her in a crate inside the trailer when nobody is around to keep an eye on her.  Other dogs may
not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with.  Still your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away.  The dog may be
happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its
den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them
will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic
ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for
dogs to open too.    Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

Accidents and damaged possessions are the fault of whoever was watching the puppy.  When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys.  In a quiet, but firm voice ''Bad dog, its name drop!''.  Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of her toys, or if older, hold eye contact until the puppy drops it.


A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate.