What to do about overly timid dog

Yes, the dog would definitely remember the mistreatment and associate it with the house and people he still lives with.

Most definately...

Animals instincts as they state, are true. They know who likes them and who doesn't, who is boss and who isn't. They don't forget until they are in a different environment and are able to.

My Husky was abused we believe, by the male owner. She was 14 month old. Her legs were shorter than norm and so, they couldn't breed her. The woman you could see, Kia loved... For a couple of years, I couldn't get Kia to bond with a man at all. She would shy away yet, always approach a woman. She's 8 now and for the past two years, she has changed since my fiance entered her life, our lives. She can't wait to see him and now she bonds with any male that walks through the door.

When I do open inspections, the owners, often warn me off the dogs but as I have 3 , the first thing they do is sniff me, then allow me to pat them, they know who loves animals and who doesn't it's a protective mechanism.

Could it be that the girlfriend's father is still abusing the dog?

Call the Dog Whisperer

I agree with the others, animals don’t forget when they have been mistreated, just like they don’t forget when they went hungry. My larger dog Frankie was very thin when the animal shelter found him and I rescued him. I’ve had him for over a year and you can’t put his food in his dish fast enough, he gobbles it up like someone is going to take it away from him.