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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Awww, the poor guy! 
Here’s what’s worked for me: Every morning I sit on the floor with formerly traumatized guy, gently massage him from head to tail, and talk to him in a soft happy voice. It doesn’t really matter what I say, I just chat away and throw in lots of praise about what a good boy he is. It’s a nice way to start the day for both of us!

A few times during the day I’ll walk up to him and take his head in my hands, look in his eyes and tell him how much I love him, massage his head and shoulders, put my arms around him and gently hold him for several minutes—again while talking and/or singing to him.

What seems most important is that I give him my undivided attention, if only for a few minutes. Good luck with your guy and thank you for saving him!

[/quote]

Agree with this.  I know it's easy to empathetically feel sad for him and sort of do the "poor baby" or "what's the matter?" behavior and voice around him, but at the risk of sounding woo (too late), they really do pick up on our energy when we're with them.  Try to think positive and speak happily to him, even if he is moping.  Be overly excited when youre getting ready to go on a walk, play, etc.  Maybe a day a week of doggie daycare, if you're comfortable with that (and if he likes other dogs)?

But most of all, he just needs time.  He is grieving, and that's a real thing.  It's hard for them, because although we definitely grieve, we also understand.  He doesn't understand.  They loved him, maybe for all his life, and then they're gone, and he doesn't know that they're not coming back.  Maybe you're just a petsitter, which at 10, he's probably experienced before, and they will come back and take him back to his familiar home (they don't have a sense of time, so nine months could be a week in his mind).   Some dogs bounce back surprisingly fast and are like "yayyyyy, I love it here, this new place is awesome," but some are really sensitive.

I love your post.  When I read the title, I was like "oh, no, is this another person during COVID saying that "the dog I adopted during lockdown isn't "connecting" with me or doesn't feel "mine" (real things shelters and rescues are hearing when dogs are returned).  Thank you for sticking by him, even when it probably doesn't feel that rewarding.  I bet one day you'll come home, set your bags down, and he'll come to the door and wag his tail and be happy to see you, and you'll cry.

Good luck to you.[/quote]

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