Dogs who have been uprooted from their happy homes or have not had the best start in life are more likely to bond very completely and deeply with their new people. Those who have lost their families through death, divorce or lifestyle change go through a terrible mourning process. But, once attached to a new loving family, they seem to want to please as much as possible to make sure they are never homeless again. Those dogs that are just learning about the good life and good people seem to bond even deeper. They know what life on the streets, life on the end of a chain, or worse is all about, and they revel and blossom in a nurturing, loving environment. Most rescues make exceptionally affectionate and tentative pets and extremely loyal companions.

What is a Rescue Dog?

If you’re sure a dog is the pet for you, you may be thinking about taking on a rescue dog. This isn’t a dog who has dragged someone out of a frozen pond or burning building, but one that has had another owner before you. They are also sometimes called re-homed dogs or shelter dogs.

Saying a dog has been "rescued" may sound as if he has been cruelly treated, but dogs are also re-homed for other reasons. Sometimes the reason lies with the dog’s original owner (allergies, lack of commitment or a change in personal circumstances) but sometimes it lies with the dog himself (behavior problems like running off, chewing or barking).

Rescue dogs may come to you directly from their previous owner, from a shelter or a Rescue Society. They may be advertised in shops and newspapers, or you can ask around dog owners and Vets to find a reliable local Rescue Society with a good reputation.  Shelters can be contacted through your council, and a list of national Breed Rescue Societies is available from the Kennel Club.

Puppies are sometimes available in Rescue Societies, but usually most of the dogs looking for new homes are adult.

An adult dog who is past the overly enthusiastic, tear-away puppy stage may be easier for you and your family to live with! His looks, personality and size are known and he may be wholly or partly trained.

You may know about any problems he has and be prepared to deal with them, though sometimes this can be more difficult than you expected. On the other hand, you may know nothing at all about him or his last owners may not have been honest about their reasons for parting with him. Difficult or unusual behavior from his past may arise when you least expect it.

Giving a home to an unwanted dog can be emotionally, physically and financially challenging! It can also be very rewarding and the home you offer may help to convert a canine delinquent into the perfect pet!

What Should I Know Before I Offer A Dog A Home?
Find out whatever you can; how many previous homes has he had? why did he leave them? why is he being re-homed now? ("genuine reason for sale" tells you nothing!) how old is he? is he house trained? is he used to car travel, children or other pets? is he neutered, wormed or inoculated? does he have on-going health or behavior problems? Some of this information depends on the honesty or availability of his previous owners, but a reputable Rescue Society should be able to tell you something based on their own experience and assessment of him.

Try to meet a dog more than once before adopting him. Take him for a walk since he may react differently away from familiar surroundings.

Depending on how long the dog has been at the rescue, he will have established some sort of routine....and a very good rescue will try to match THAT routine when placing him in his forever home. It's not possible to match exactly, but in order to make a smoother transition for the dog, you want to match it as closely as possible!

Try to bring your new family member home when your schedule is light.....for instance, a weekend. He is going to need help during this transition period and you need to be there with him!

Some Rescue dogs are insecure at first and may like to sleep with an old (worn and unwashed) jumper of yours, or some cuddly toys.

It’s better if the house rules don’t keep changing. Establish them kindly but consistently from day on and don’t allow things "just for now".

Dogs who have been kept in kennels a long time may experience problems with housetraining. Treat this and other behavior problems from his past sympathetically but firmly - and immediately. You cannot "make up to him" for previous bad treatment by allowing him to run riot in your home. Positive, reward based training, which encourages him to want to please you, is the most reliable and a training program using these principals is what we offer you.

A dog which has been badly treated may have short or long term health problems, however good the care from the Rescue Society. You may need to work closely with a Vet, so make sure you register with one as soon as possible. Veterinary insurance may be advisable immediately as it maybe difficult to get if he develops long term problems later.

Your dog may seem to settle down with no difficulties, but then develop unexpected behavior problems some time later. See this as part of his adaptation to his new life rather than a personal failure or rejection. Continue your usual training routine and seek advice from your Rescue Society, and make sure to start Obedience Training right away!

Obedience Dynamics will accompany you on a trip to visit the dog and temperament test for you.  This will give you a better understanding of his "outlook on life" and help you be prepared ahead of time.

When you first bring your Rescue home, this will be a very confusing time for him! Even if he was only at the rescue for a week, he was getting used to the routines and now they are changing again. He will be excited and nervous ~ there will be new sounds, new scents....and new rules. And he doesn't know these new rules...

When a dog is feeling anxiety and nervousness it will always be obvious! Some of the signs are: panting, pacing, not making eye contact...it may seem like he is ignoring you... housebreaking accidents, excessive chewing, tummy upset (vomiting, diarrhea, loose stools), crying, whining, jumpiness and barking. Your most important responsibility during this time is to keep things at home relaxed and steady....

After the first few days, you will notice some changes in your dog...he will begin to become more relaxed, but he will still be in a "hesitant" state and probably still behaving rather well.

About a month or so into all of this, he will have figured out the rules of his new home and possibly start challenging you and the order of heirarchy. Some dogs almost become like puppies again and start exhibiting puppy behaviors, like chewing, accidents in the house...that sort of thing. It's important during this stage to stay firm with letting him know the house rules....but with patience. This dog is a RESCUE....his life has been disrupted a few times already and coming into your home was yet another disruption. Make sure to praise LOTS for good behavior - even when he is just laying there quietly....but don't over praise or praise for nothing because he will just get bored of it and eventually tune you out.

When you first get home, before going in the house, spend some time (not much is needed) outside with your dog....walk him around the entire yard and let him sniff away. You are showing him HIS new yard so let him take his time and become comfortable with it. This would also be a good time to show him where you want him to do his business! Start using a phrase with him right now that will eventually mean, "It's time for me to go"! As you are walking him to his new potty place, ask him if he has to potty...chances are he's heard this question before. When you get to the desired spot, start saying something like, "Hurry up"! and continue saying it until he goes - as he's going - until the last drop comes out! As soon as he's done, give LOTS of praise! (Make sure to use his name when you say Hurry Up!)

During the initial "getting comfortable" time, you need to keep your routine simple and quiet. Because he is confused and nervous, he will wear out easily. The more simple you make things for him in the beginning, the faster he will become used to it....you shouldn't even initiate lots of play in the beginning. If he comes to YOU for play, that's okay....otherwise, just let him get used to things in his own way - in his own time.

You will notice that when he starts become comfortable with your/his new routine, he will start becoming more 'normal'. As said at the beginning, dogs are creatures of routine and routine gives them security. So establishing this with him early on is so important. If you continuously do the same things every day - in the same order - he will learn and become comfortable much quicker...and it will be less confusing and upsetting for him.

Above all, be patient with your new love. A few weeks of love and consistency will go a long way into helping him be the dog that you hope he will be. Use lots of praise and positive reinforcement for good behavior....and when accidents or unwanted behavior occur, correct him if you catch him in the act, and praise when the behavior is corrected.