The first and most important step is to visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. This step is essential to examine the dog and assess its health.
The evolution of the dogs we take in requires recovery, not only physically, but also psychologically - and seeing our dobies begin to trust and believe that there are humans who won't harm them is very rewarding.
Deconstructing the distrust and fears they arrive with and making them believe again that there are good humans, takes time, but when they receive the first "nudges" of "pet me" or when they finally come to touch or start doing crazy things typical of dobermans, we believe in a better world and that the association is on the right path.