'Saving them is only the beginning’: Rescuers reveal what it really means to adopt a traumatised dog
For Tim Giles, helping rescue dog Dash feel safe means giving him space, offering treats and accepting that friendship cannot be rushed.
After suffering mistreatment at the hands of men, the frightened pup is deeply uncomfortable around him.
But Tim, who runs disabled animal charity Broken Biscuits with his partner Cassie Carney, understands that Dash has every reason to be wary.
The couple have recently welcomed dogs rescued from China’s meat trade and puppy farming into their Lincolnshire sanctuary. Many need surgery, rehabilitation and they all need lifelong support for disabilities.
Now they are sharing the realities behind the heartwarming rescue pictures, explaining why bringing a dog to safety is only the beginning of their recovery.
Tim said: “Dash has been mistreated by men, so at the moment he finds being around me very difficult. I have to respect that.
“I’m giving him plenty of space and time, and offering treats without putting pressure on him to come closer. He needs to learn that being near me can be safe, and that he has a choice.
“Of course I would love him to trust me, but that has to happen at his pace. My job is to keep showing him that I’m someone he doesn’t need to fear.”
For the dogs arriving at Broken Biscuits, the future offers them a chance to finally enjoy life. Some will eventually be adopted into carefully matched homes. Others will remain at the sanctuary, where the couple say they will never be given up on.
And the couple stress that emotional baggage is not confined to dogs rescued overseas. Many UK rescue dogs also arrive with experiences which take time to unpack, from neglect and mistreatment to upheaval and the loss of familiar people or surroundings.
Cassie said: “It isn’t just dogs from China who can carry trauma. Dogs rescued here in the UK can come with baggage too, and it can take a while to unpack it.
"Dogs can also suffer a trauma even while they are a beloved and well cared for pet, and that needs understanding is a change in their behaviour happens.
“We all want that lovely moment when a rescued dog realises they are safe, but it doesn’t always happen straight away.
“They may be frightened of you, frightened of their surroundings or unsure what is going to happen next. You need a lot of patience, and you need to recognise the needs of the individual dog.
“The most important thing is to build trust. That means listening to what they are telling you, including when they need you to step back.”
Among the recent arrivals is Summer, an eight-year-old Labrador rescued from the meat trade who cannot walk and is expected to need orthopaedic treatment and wheelchair support.
Tiny Pickle, a paralysed senior poodle, needs rehabilitation alongside help to feel secure around people and other dogs.
Sparkle, a blind, three-legged Chihuahua-terrier cross, is also learning that her new surroundings are safe.
Dash faces lifelong mobility support as well as the emotional consequences of his past.
Their care involves understanding both their physical limitations and their fears, with medical, behavioural and emotional assessments helping determine what each dog needs before rehoming is considered.
Broken Biscuits specialises in supporting disabled dogs, including those living with spinal, orthopaedic and neurological conditions.
Its Lincolnshire facilities include a disabled dog park, an all-weather Play Barn and a Doggie Driving School, where dogs can learn to use mobility equipment and discover new ways to explore.
But the couple say emotional recovery deserves just as much attention as physical rehabilitation and that sometimes a change that looks like “bad behaviour” can actually signal that a dog is beginning to emerge from fear.
Cassie said: “A dog who has been very shut down may initially seem quiet and easy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are comfortable.
“As they begin to feel safer, you may start seeing more of their personality and more of their feelings. Sometimes what we would ordinarily see as bad behaviour can actually be a sign of progress.
“That doesn’t mean every difficult behaviour is a positive sign, or that you ignore it. It means looking at the whole dog and asking what has changed and what they need, rather than immediately deciding they are being naughty.”
The consequences of misunderstood behaviour can be serious. A 2021 study by researchers at Woodgreen, The Animals Charity, and Hartpury University examined ways to reduce dogs being given up because of behavioural problems.
Its introduction cited earlier UK research which found that 34.2 per cent of dogs relinquished to rescue centres were surrendered because their owners perceived them to have behavioural problems.
For Cassie and Tim, preparing adopters for the work involved is an essential part of securing a lasting home.
That can mean adjusting expectations and accepting that affection may not be welcomed immediately.
It also means recognising when veterinary care or qualified behavioural support is needed, particularly for dogs whose pain, disabilities and fear may overlap.
Tim said: “You can’t expect a dog who has experienced cruelty to understand immediately that everything has changed.
“We know we want to help them, but they don’t know our intentions yet. Trust comes from what we do consistently, day after day.
“Sometimes progress is a dog choosing to stay nearby, taking a treat or resting while you are in the room. Those little moments can mean an enormous amount.”
The couple want prospective adopters to understand the commitment without losing sight of the joy that can follow.
A dog who needs a wheelchair can still play. A blind dog can still explore. A frightened dog can gradually discover companionship, comfort and the freedom to make choices.
Cassie said: “Every dog is different. There isn’t one timetable or one approach that works for all of them.
“We want people to see the happiness these dogs can have, but also understand the patience and care that help them get there.
“These dogs have already been let down terribly. Broken Biscuits will never give up on them. Whether they find an adoptive home or stay with us, they will have somewhere they belong.”
Cassie and Tim’s five top tips for welcoming a traumatised rescue dog
1. Let the dog set the pace. Give them time to settle without expecting immediate cuddles, play or confidence. Allow them to approach when they feel ready, with somewhere quiet to retreat.
2. Build trust through everyday kindness. Keep interactions calm and predictable. Offer treats without using them to draw the dog into contact they find frightening, and respect their need for distance.
3. Look behind the behaviour. Hiding, barking or avoiding someone can communicate fear or discomfort. Changes in behaviour may also emerge as a previously shut-down dog gains confidence. Consider the context and seek help when needed.
4. Treat every dog as an individual. Their history, health, disabilities and personality all matter. Avoid comparing their progress with another dog’s or assuming they should have settled by a particular date.
5. Be patient and get support early. Celebrate small steps and accept that progress may fluctuate. Speak to the rescue, a vet or a qualified behaviour professional if you are struggling, so the dog’s physical and emotional needs can be addressed.
Find out more at www.brokenbiscuits.org
