Expert: Jannie Balliett - 12/8/2009

Question
We have 4 boxers and I have used  your site before. We rescued a
1 year old boxer from the SPCA last summer. He was a year old at the time. He was very timid and scared at first but warmed up to us like the sweet boxer boy he is. However, he whines constantly. Sometimes it's obvious he's asking for something but the whining is continuous and he seems threatened and retreats if we try to correct him to get him to stop whining. Can you tell us what we can do and why he may be whining. He has some underlying scars under his fur that look like they could have been whip marks. We are afraid he was abused and ignored. Could that have something to do with it?

Thanks

Answer
The scars are signs of abuse and he is insecure and scared.

All you can do with an abused dog is love him and comfort him even if he retreats. He is afraid and things trigger his memories.

Love him and talk to him in a calm and reassuring tone of voice and love and pet him. Give him a treat- show security and comfort him. He will learn he is safe.