Is a Rescue Dog Right for you?

Adopting a rescue dog involves time and commitment.

Adopting a rescue dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience:

The process of providing a loving and safe home to a dog who needs it creates a strong bond that has positive effects for both the owner and the dog.

Finding a suitable dog, helping them adjust to a new life, and dealing with setbacks and surprises can be frustrating.

When adoption goes well it is positive for everyone, but when it goes badly it can be disastrous for dogs and people.

Although there are lots of pieces of advice, a good place to start is the 3-3-3 rule:

Suggestions for what to aim for with your rescue dog in the first 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months after adoption:

3 DAYS

For the first few days, just let your rescue dog get used to a limited safe space- no walks or visitors. One or two toys may help him settle.

3 WEEKS

Start to explore the rest of the house and the garden. Introduce new games and toys slowly.

Avoid visitors, walks and new places until your dog has settled in.

3 MONTHS

Now that you’re gaining your dog’s trust you may start to go for short walks or let them meet a few carefully chosen people or dogs and visit new places.

The first 3 days

Every rescue dog has a back story. Speak to rescue centre staff to find out what they know about where your dog came from and how they ended up in rescue.

Have they lived in a house before?

Rescue staff will also usually have watched the dog and assessed them in different situations.

Ask whether they are OK with people, other dogs, walking on a lead etc.

When you bring your rescue dog home, be aware that they’ll need time and space to settle in.

Even if they appear relaxed, they will probably be feeling at least a little stressed and anxious.

Stay calm and let them explore at their own pace.

Even though you may want to play with them and give them lots of cuddles, this can be overwhelming for a dog. Instead, sit back, and let them come to you.

When they do, give them a pat on the chest or shoulders for a few seconds.

When you stop do they lean in for more, or nudge your hand to keep going?

Avoid patting on the top of the head or leaning over as this can be intimidating for a dog.

It is important to make sure that every family member has the same approach.

Speak to children about the importance of being calm and giving your dog space.

Make sure that your rescue dog has a safe place of his own. A crate or quiet corner of the room work well. You can use blankets and bedding to create a comfy den.

Feeding them in this space and providing calming enrichment toys (lick or snuffle mats, kongs) can help make it a positive place for them.

When your dog is resting in their den do not go in and disturb them- this should be their personal safe place.

The first 3 weeks

This is the time to allow your dog to explore a bit more of his environment.

You may want to give them access to larger area of the house.

Allow them to explore more of the garden.

You can introduce more toys and, if they are happy to interact with you, introduce some calm simple games.

Use this time to start to build a bond with your dog so that they know they can trust you.

Routines are really important to help dogs feel secure.

This is especially true for rescue dogs who are likely to have experienced a lot of change.

During the first three weeks your dog will learn their routine.

It is important to be really consistent with waking times, feeding times etc and to be predictable in how you interact with your dog.

In the first three weeks your dog may be more than ready to start exploring their environment and venturing further afield, but rescue dogs that haven’t been well-socialised, who have experienced trauma, or dogs who are especially anxious may need to take things more slowly.

They may need more time to decompress.

If at any point your rescue dog shows sings of being nervous or worried about a new step then don’t be afraid to slow it down and take a step back.

Go slowly and use lots of positive reward-based training.

Slowing things down is never the wrong thing to do!

The first 3 months

Once your rescue dog is confident in your home and garden and they are used to their routine, then you can start to make their world even bigger.

Start to explore the local park or beach, meet new dogs and people, and go to new places.

Not all dogs will be ready at the same time, so pay attention to your own dog’s needs and worries and take things at your own pace.

Too much too soon can cause anxiety and fear so introduce new things gradually and in stages:

Check out the park for the first time when it’s quiet and let them have a quick sniff, before visiting again when it may be busier or staying longer

Introduce new people one at a time rather than jumping straight into a family party.

Aim to set your dog up to succeed.

If theres a situation that you know they will struggle with then where possible avoid it until you’ve put the training in place to help them cope.

As always, use lots of positive rewards and reinforcement. If they seem stressed or worried then don’t push it; take a step back instead.

Slow and steady wins the race!

Taking the time early on to help your rescue dog feel safe and secure and to build the trust between you will pay dividends in future and set you both up for long happy relationship.

FOREIGN RESCUES: STRAIGHT FROM THE STREETS

Ex-street dogs are a special case, even within rescue pets.

These guys have had a far longer and more stressful journey to you than the average shelter dog in the UK.

To start with they may have never lived in a home before, or had regular positive human interaction.

Just to reach you they will have been on a very long journey- literally and metaphorically.

All of this can cause long-lived anxiety and fear- driven behaviour.

Everything needs to be taken extra slowly, every change made with tiny gradual steps.

Ex-street dogs are all different, and some will adapt to family life and people much more readily than others.

Be realistic in your expectations, especially with adult dogs.

You may need to show your love by taking a step back from them until they are ready to come closer.

AT THE VETS

Visiting the vet can be a worrying experience with a rescue dog, but it is an important thing to try and help your dog get used to.

Having said that, the first thing is to not rush it!

Where possible, let your rescue dog get used to their new life and start to bond with you before you take them to the vets.

When you do visit the vets, try and make it a positive experience.

Pop in regularly just to say hi, have a biscuit, or sit on the scales.

This will help your dog associate the practice with GOOD things, rather than always having an injection or temperature check!

If your dog is bonded to you then try and avoid being separated at the vets. If they need a blood test or injection, ask if it can be done in the room with you present.

This won’t be appropriate in all situations, but can usually be accommodated and it will help your rescue dog feel safer.

WHAT IF THINGS DON’T GO TO PLAN?

Sometimes a dog may not adjust as well as we hope, or a behaviour issue may only become apparent once a dog has begun to settle in.

If things aren’t going perfectly, you’re not alone!

Behaviour issues such as fearfulness, separation anxiety, and even aggression are really common and they don’t just develop in rescue dogs.

The first thing to do is to ASK FOR HELP.

Speak to your vet, the rescue centre you adopted your dog from or your local training centre and ask to be put in touch with a behaviourist.

It’s better to ask for help as soon as you notice a problem developing as it will be easier to manage before things escalate.

Many rescues will be able to arrange sessions with a behaviourist or trainer as part of their adoption plan.

As always, avoid negative training which may damage your developing relationship and focus instead on a positive, reward-based approach which will help your dog feel secure and help to cement his bond with you..

Do your research… and don’t judge a book by it’s cover!

Before you contact or visit a rescue, consider what type of dog will suit your lifestyle.

Even if you have an image in your mind of which dog is “right” for you, keep an open mind.

You might have your heart set on a large shaggy dog, but the little scruffy guy’s personality may be a better match for your lifestyle.

Be prepared.

Before you bring your rescue dog home, make sure you have everything they need: food bowls, collar and lead, toys, bedding, and insurance.

Start as you mean to go on.

Consistency is key to training any dog, but especially for rescue dogs, who may have experienced lots of change.

Be predictable and consistent from the day your rescue dog comes home in terms of where they are allowed, where they sleep etc.

It will be easier to teach them now than to backtrack later on.