Rescue Dogs

This guide should ensure that your dog is a pleasure to live with and more importantly for the dog, will never be returned to a shelter.

• Entering a new home will be a stressful time for the dog.  Let him settle in for 2 weeks and just ignore a lot of his overtures.  Love him with your voice but try not to over-handle him in the first couple of weeks.
• Don't let children hug the dog tightly around the neck.
• As a family, make your rules for the dog and stick to them.
• Introduce a simple sound that indicates to the dog that what he's doing is wrong, such as BAD (said in a growl).  Always follow up with soft voiced praise when he responds correctly.
• Don't use aggressive body language such as pointing, raising your hand, tapping the dog on the nose, scruffing it, holding it down or grabbing it by the collar.
• Don't hand food to the dog.  Throw it to him and let him catch it.
• Don't growl commands in the same tone that you use for "BAD".  Use only this one word to let the dog know he's doing something wrong.  Keep the rest of your vocal communication with him very soft and gentle.  Use body language to let him know what you want him to do.
• Don't tell your dog off by using his name.
• Don't let the dog assume a resting position above the human members of the pack.  Dogs see height as dominance.
• Give your dog an area of safety, such as a sleeping crate.
• Don't let children disturb him if he's sleeping.
• Teach him to separate.  Don't have him with you all the time.
• If you have to leave him for long periods of time, make sure that he has plenty of fruit and vegetables or raw bones to munch on whilst you're out.
• If you're unsure of his behaviour with other dogs and he's a big dog, temporarily muzzle him until you are sure he won't damage another animal.
• Keep him on a long lunging lead in the park until you're sure he knows who his new pack is and will come back to you each time you call him.
• Have him micro-chipped so that if he becomes lost, you can find him again.
• Feed him outside as well as inside to encourage him to use the garden for toileting purposes.
• Ensure you have a safe garden so that he can spend some time in the fresh air.
• Don't let him answer the doorbell.  You are his minder, don't let him become yours.
• Don't mistake barking at visitors as him being a good watchdog.
• Make sure your dog understands the rules and boundaries of the pack and learn to communicate with him in his own language rather than expecting him to understand your language.

Follow these basic guidelines and there is no reason why you can’t love your dog and have a great relationship with him.  But please do seek professional help if your dog does start to get the better of you.  After all, the last thing either of you wants is for him to end up back in a shelter.