Abused Dog

You are probably going to have to step back and let your *wife* be the primary caregiver.  Let her feed this dog (often one kibble at time works wonders). 

There may also be personality differences -- how do *you* reinforce this dog?  Are you effusive or quiet?  She'd do well to mimic you a bit. 

Essentially you are the "key" -- if you're there most everything is ok.  But your wife needs to replace you in that for a while. 

Suggestion:  when you aren't there, have your wife lie down on the floor next to the dog.  That's a strategic "I'm no threat to you pose particularly if she's on her back.  But just spending time talking to this dog and quietly reinforcing "I"m ok too".

But the other thing is to do some obedience with this dog.  Honestly it can be marvelous because it can literally help them come out of their shelll -- "Wow, you mean I can do this RIGHT?  You LIKE this??"

IN other words, don't let her get away with just avoiding everyone. 

Another really nice trick is to sit on a chair close to where the dog is.  Have your wife hold a treat in each hand.  Then simply call the dog's name.  The first flicker of the eyes towards your wife -- pop the treat in her mouth.  You can vary this game -- calling her name from across the room and TOSSING a treat to her (this isn't "come" -- this is just a reward for giving eye contact).  But essentially let this dog think that her name on your wife's lips is THE BEST thing ever.

My dog Kenya is very similar (for the record she has never been abused, but she does have a much more aloof and discerning temperament).  She doesn't care for anyone but me, her "person".  When I am around she will be social, but when I'm not around she sits under my desk.  After three and a half years she is still the same.  We have done everything - have my husband ignore her at first and just drop treats in her presence, hand-feed her, have me ignore her or even go away for a week so he is the primary caregiver, she's taken obedience class with him... to be honest nothing has changed it even a little.  Some dogs/breeds are just like this, the bond with one person and merely tolerate everyone else.  We basically stopped trying.  *shrug*

 Thank you for the replies.

I'm just looking for her to be comfortable when I'm not there.  It's strange, because when I am there the dog just adores my wife, the dog literally freak out for her, it's funny to watch.  What I think is going on is that she feels safe when I'm there, she knows nothing will happen when I'm around but when I'm gone that security blanket is gone.

 Since I found her almost 3 years ago (she was about 6 months when I found her) she has improved a ton.  Now she's more tolerable of strangers and people coming to the house.  

i like that idea about my wife getting on the ground with the dog when I'm not there.  Maybe that will help her feel a bit better.

Again thanks for the feedback.

 R.

In this case you KNOW there was trauma and/or abuse.  (And it could easily have been that the skull was fractured BEFORE the car ride and "dumping" if they didn't want the neighbors to know there was a "dead animal" if they thot she'd die??  I've seen THAT happen too)

Tiny steps.  Just keep trying.  Feel free to email me.  I've rehabbed several abused dogs -- there are tricks to use.