I recently adopted a 3 year old doberman. I believe he was beaten by his previous owner he cowars and won't eat. I bought the same feed the prvious owner used he will only eat wet food and if I walk away out of his sight I am really worried about his health I won't him to be happy with me. Thank you for your time

It's going to take a lot of time and a lot of patience.
Make constant cooing and soft sweet noises, especially 'good dog, good boy, good his name.' Move slowly. Feed him the wet food he likes, but mix it with dry kibble, and buy the best brand you can find (you do get what you pay for - cheap stuff is nothing but filler, and comes out as extra poop). Put it in the same place next to his water so he knows where that will be. Walk away but stay in the room, maybe 8' away, and make soft sounds. When he starts eating, say 'good dog' over and over, still softly.
Walk him at the same times at least 3 times a day. He'll need to go more being nervous.
When he isn't eating, find out where he likes to be scratched and patted and massaged, around his ears, his tummy, and so on. He'll let you know eventually.
Get him a plush toy to sleep with or carry around, and some chew toys, and a bed or blanket next to your bed, if he doesn't need a crate.
It will be so wonderful when he shows signs of loving you.

Awe! G' Bless you for adopting him. Have you taken him to a vet yet to get checked out?

Yes, they will act as you say "cowar" if they have been abused previously. That is a shame but now he is with you. It's a very good thing that he is eating the wet food. Any is good. Since you say you have tried feeding him the same food as the previous owner did, it makes me wonder if there is any connection?

On the other hand though, sometimes when an animal enters a new home, it can take time for them to become adjusted. There are things you can do to make him comfortable. You are already doing some of them. Just be patient and he should adjust before you know it. If you really are worried about letting him out of your sight, then don't for now if you are able. In the meantime, can you get him to a vet just to get checked out? For your new pooch but also for your own peace of mind.

I'm not sure if he was definitely abused or not but it would take a little bit more time for him to come around. I have dealt with an abused pet. It was very heartbreaking but she does now know how much I love her. Luckily, she finally is pretty affectionate with me. Something I thought would never happen. There is another but she just seems to know I love her but I cannot touch her. Not yet anyway.

He IS going to be happy with you if not already. I am almost 100% sure of it. It's because you want him to be. That shows how much you care and what a great heart you have!

How long have you had him? Have you had him checked by a vet, yet? Is he taking treats?
It may be he likes the wet food. It may also be that his health was ignored and he may dental issues.

Is this your first Doberman?

Dobermans are very intelligent creatures and have huge hearts. When their trust has been damaged it can take a lot of work and patience to regain/gain it. Don't give up because you think he should be progressing faster than he is. Watch him and pay attention to his signals. He will do a lot of talking if are listening. Ears, tail, body and his mouth (when some Dobies get excited they will chatter their teeth) are all part of the communication system.

It can also take them a few days to fully learn their new home. So he may seem timid simply because he doesn't know the rules of the house.

Talk to him as though he is a human. Let him get used to your voice and mannerisms. Keep up any obedience training he already has. Give him praise and treats when he does well. Give him a short sharp 'no', 'leave it' or a simple 'eh' when he doesn't. I suggest limiting the use of the word 'no' because over use can lead to confusion. Do not allow him to get away with anything now that you are not going to let him do when any 'pity' you might feel fades. Remember that obedience training is 24/7. Work his brain as well as his body. The more he works and gets things right the more confident he will be. Even as pets, they are a working breed.

If you think he has been abused, be careful about making sudden movements that might mimicking hitting. Do get down on the floor with him. Make sure you have toys for him that can withstand the scissors in his mouth. They can pretty precise when they are dismantling a toy. When he comes up to you pet and praise. If he comes when called add a treat.

Do not make quick changes to his food. A Dobie's stomach can be very sensitive to change and the resulting flatulence can be almost deadly. For dental health, he needs dry food to keep his teeth clean. Adding it to wet food and is a god idea. You can also use warm water to soften it. Avoid letting him have human food. If he doesn't want to eat with you the room, that is okay. You shouldn't be standing over him while he eats. Are there any reasons such as other animals in the house that you are concerned about trying to take his food?

Feed him twice a day. Half in the morning, half in the evening. Give him 20 minutes. He doesn't eat, take the bowl away. Be very careful about over feeding. Dobies may look thin, but they are all muscle. Extra fat increases pressure on their joints that they do not need. They enough issues already. Remember when determining how much to feed that treats are part of the food they get. You might even do like I do and use their food as treats.

You will not be doing him any good if you treat him like an invalid or feel sorry for him. Try to keep his environment as normal as you can.

As one Dobie Parent to another, you have brought into your home what can be one of the greatest friends you will ever have. Once he gets used to his new people and home, you will learn why they are called Velcro dogs. May you have many happy years together.