Tips in Dealing With Rescue Dogs

[jude09]

This topic was a request made by Pippy, a member of our dog help forum.

So, if you have experiences in taking care, re-training, introducing or anything that involves rescue dogs please feel free to post it here.

[Sarah]

Rescuing a dog, adopting a puppy, buying from a breeder is all the same. Know the breed. If you are rescuing an older dog, say 2 year onward, find out as much as you can about what happened to them. It will explain a lot of their habits and behaviour. Treat your rescue dog as brand new puppy but with an attitude. lol What I mean is, do not let your rescue get away with anything for at least the first month. You need to work on trust immediately. I also suggest Obedience Training immediately. If you find that your older rescue has some aggression behaviour ask for private lessons. It's important that any dog, rescue or not, know what their boundaries and limitations are. If you find that your older rescue may need a muzzle so be it, it doesn't mean that it's for life time. It just means that the prior owners were not the Alpha, or this dog was abused.

If you find that your rescue is depressed, "lifeless" this is a good example of seeking a holistic Vet. Energy cleansing and acupuncture would be terrific for this type of dog.

I have rescued all of my Rottweilers and some were fighters and deemed vicious and were going to be put down. Training was really key, and I had a professional trainer. One of them could not be around other dogs, and that was fine, I knew that going on. She had a wonderful life. My last one I adopted from the pound. He was found wondering the street with an open wound on his back. We figured that his owners were trying to make a fighter and he wasn't aggressive enough. I got him at 1 years old, and I trained him myself. He was very sociable, loving and grateful. Willing to do anything for me. He use to ride the merry go round with my nephew, and go down the slides. He was funny.

Dogs are not borne aggressive, people make them that way.

All dogs want to follow, not lead!

I hope this helps!

[jude09]

thanks for the tips Sarah, really appreciate it.

[karmapug]

I say start with the dog in front of you and don't generalize. Not all "rescue dogs" even have problems. I got one pug from a rescue organization and he was given up because he shed too much (only typical for the breed) and you would never know he was a "rescue dog." No idiosyncrasies at all except he was very attentive when a baby cried on TV which makes me think that there was a baby at his old house and that may be the reason he was really given up --- they got a REAL child.

On the other hand, my Mom adopted a real handful -- Mickey -- a puppy mill dog who had been in a cage all his life and was scared of everything when she got him. He was terrified to go outside because even the wind ruffling his fur was new to him. He spent another year at an "no kill" shelter because he didn't interview well he was so timid. When he was adopted out, the first woman brought him back to the shelter, he was too much to handle. But my Mom was patient enough with him, exposed him to new things slowly enough and let him have his safe place that he found on an old couch (where two sides were protected and he saw what was coming toward him) that he became one of her favorite pets ever. He walked on a leash, went for rides in the car, played fetch and tag in the backyard and rolled on his back in the sunshine like he enjoyed his freedom more than any other creature ever could. It didn't take years but months for this progression, but it did take patience and she didn't even have a trainer work with him, although I'm sure that would have helped as Sarah said above.

Find out as much as you can about what the dog has been through, as Sarah said, and be patient and your patience will be rewarded.

I fear that people won't take "rescue dogs" because they will all get a reputation as being very difficult when not all of them have emotional scars like Mickey. Some may be somewhat depressed due to separation from their original family who lost their home and had to give up their beloved pet, but the dog may not have ever been abused and can bounce back quickly with love and good boundaries. Please give a "rescue dog" a chance. There are so many who need good homes.

Frances

[newbear]

Here is a youtube video that I have found on the suggestions and success with rescued dogs.

YouTube - Rescue Dogs - Tips and Advice

Hope it helps!

[Sarah]

I agree with you Frances whole heartily....

[Deaf Dogs]

I currently have 5 rescue dogs, and had 2 prior to that. Not all rescues have issues, infact most are abandoned through no fault of their own... there are no bad dogs, just bad owners. My 5 all have some sort of issue or another, but I prefer that.... I'd be bored with a perfect dog! LOL

My advice to people when rescuing:

1- KNOW YOUR LIMITS What are you willing to work with? What kind of behaviours are acceptable to deal with and rehab/re-train. Are you willing to work with a dog who's fear aggressive? Dog aggressive? cat/small animal aggressive? Disabled? not housetrained? sick? big? has no manners? resource guards? If not, then make sure you choose a dog accordingly

2-know the dog spend time getting to know the dog, do NOT adopt on impulse. it is really unfair to the dog if you have to send him back because he's not what you were looking for.

3-take him to obedience classes you will get alot out of classes, including a stronger bond. You will get to know your dogs personality better, understand his wants better, and he will understand yours.

4-history is not important dont feel sorry for the dog. treat him as normally as you can, if you adopt a dog with issues you need to take that into account, but dont let his issues hold you back

.
5- and finally be prepared to be loved rescues love like no other, they give you such satisfaction in knowing you gave a home to a dog in need.

[Deaf Dogs]

here is a youtube video that i have found on the suggestions and success with rescued dogs.

youtube - rescue dogs - tips and advice

hope it helps!

awesome video!!!!!

[PoodlePoodie]

Rescuing and adopting a dog is better than buying one. Why?

1. Adopting pets give animals a second chance at life and a lot of shelters struggle to keep animals over a long period of time (which sometimes lead to euthanasia). So adopting helps everyone and makes you feel better too for knowing you've done a good thing by saving a dog's life.
2. Also some pets who are bred for sale may have been in poor circumstances purely for increased profits. I'm not saying all animal traders are bad because some are good but some can exploit an animal and if there proves to be a market in the sales of animals than they will continue.