He's 25-year-old Matt Roberts' first pet with his partner Kellie, who live together in central Victoria.

"We've had him three months tomorrow. He's going really, really well," Mr Roberts said.

"He was fairly withdrawn when we got him, a bit afraid of human contact and we were a bit new to him. But, he was full of energy, he was looking for someone."

Mr Roberts said he had been socialising Boss a lot.

"We meet up with my aunty and my Mum's little dogs and my brother has a seeing eye dog that failed the program," he said.

"Boss is now normalised, but he's still has a bit to go still. He's still wary of kids because they run around a lot. He just wants to play.

"We live on a house block but we're always taking Boss to the local parks and my brother is on a few acres and we go for a run with his labrador."

Mr Roberts said Boss was now extremely affectionate.

"He loves human company. I'm extremely surprised how well he has recovered and it's great to be able to provide a loving environment," he said.

Foster carer Bianca Robinson said she picked up Boss from the RSPCA shelter in Burwood at the end of January.

She has cared for about 15 dogs in the past three years.

"It's upsetting, absolutely heartbreaking to see a dog like that," she said.

"It's disgusting, infuriating. It's why we rely on rescue groups to give these dogs the life they deserve.

"He was on par with the most broken dog I have look after and helped rehabilitate." 

When Ms Robinson said she first saw Boss she described him as being hyper-aware.

"He was in a fragile state, skittish, hyperactive, anxious and unsettled," she said.

"He was very frightened and unsure. He exhibiting anxious behaviour and would not settle. It took him about four weeks to settle down and trust me, my partner and our dog."

Ms Robinson, of Carrum Downs, said it took time and effort to rehabilitate a damaged dog.

"It can be very challenging and takes a lot of resources through Lab Rescue to get each damaged dog to behave like a pet," she said.

"You have to teach him to be a pet. My own dog, who is also a rescued lab, is a  fantastic help. You have to teach them the joys of being a pet, whether that's 2am cuddles, lounging on the couch or running through water outside. 

"That freedom is what Boss really loves. He needed to learnt this was a safe place and he was no longer chained to the clothes line."

Ms Robinson said being able to help a damaged dog was why she was involved.

"It's challenging but the end results are why we foster. It's a big reward - I'm giving away happiness," she said.

Boss’ previous owner, Callum Tanner, 37, of Mahoneys Ford Road, Naringal, was found guilty of three animal cruelty charges in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court earlier this week.

He was convicted, fined $2000, ordered to pay veterinarian costs of $822.20 and banned from owning an animal for five years.

Georgia McKane, 23, of Wanstead Street, Warrnambool, was found guilty of one offence and was convicted, fined $2500, ordered to pay vet bills of $609.80 and also banned for five years.

The maximum ban applicable was 10 years.