Anyone who has ever adopted a pet from a local shelter knows they come with baggage. You don't know where they have been or what they have been through. You aren't sure how they will react to activities, people or other pets in your home. Most shelter dogs adapt quickly though and become part of the family in a few days

Some dogs have been so traumatized that they develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Yes, dogs can have this too. These pets need special care and very patient caregivers. I have one of these dogs. Macabee is a great dog, but he has a few problems. From this experience, I developed a list for future pet parents.

First, take your dog to a good veterinarian. A vet that has experience working with shelter dogs is a good choice. Get a very thorough checkup.

At your first visit, see if you can get your dog tested for drugs. You would be amazed at what the previous owners might have given your dog. Sedatives are common in hyper breeds like labs.

Next, ask the vet to check the dog's eyes. Some drugs can damage a dog's eyes over time. This can change the way your dog sees and perceives things. Mac would run into walls because he couldn't judge distances. He still has trouble with distances and fast movements.

Once you have the vet's ok, you can start training. Do a little research on the breed of dog you have and start training slowly. Observe how your dog reacts in different situations. Dogs with PTSD can react badly to things that are a normal part of everyday life. Loud sounds, playing children, storms, other dogs and moving objects may scare your pet so much that they may forget their training and manners. Dogs who are afraid may lash out at what scares them. So, find out what upsets your pet before you take them out in public

Use only positive training methods with PTSD dogs. Let him know you are the boss without trying to force obedience. The obedience will come with trust and the positive training methods will help develop that trust. This is just a matter of time.

Try to avoid situations that you know will scare your dog. Introduce new things, people and animals slowly in an environment in which your pet feels safe. This will get better with time if you keep training consistently.

Nutrition is very important too. Try to get the best dog food you can afford. Premium dog foods are a great choice if you can afford them. You can add people food to your dog's food in a ratio of ¼ people food to 3/4 dog food with water.