A rescue dog brings challenges, but great rewards as well.
Adopting rescue dogs, while challenging, can be very rewarding. Correcting behavioral problems can be frustrating, since the animal's history is often unknown. Success comes from asking for help, following advice tempered by your own instincts and a lot of patience.
Delays in rehabilitation can be good, as the rescue dog may calm down and accept her new home on her own. Or delays can be bad, and the dog may think her aberrant behavior is OK. Or, you could experience a combination of the two. The most important thing is to not give up on your skittish rescue dog. Keep working and be patient.
Instructions
1. Start with a clean slate. You need to realize you may never know why a dog ended up in a rescue situation and you won't be able to predict the behavior of the dog based on past experience. This is especially pertinent because many owners lie when giving a dog up for adoption at the pound. The dog you rescue may also have been running at large for an unknown period of time. The dog's behavior in the pound or shelter may also not be indicative of its behavior in your home. Try not to be too rigid in your expectations or need for explanations.
2. Promote dog bonding with your established pets. Allow your new dog to get the feel of his new home and if you have other dogs, allow the dogs to socialize without too much input from you. Too much attention or protection could cause jealousy. Watch carefully from the sidelines and try to not show favoritism. Your dogs should establish their family first. Dogs have pack rules and structures to establish. You may see your dogs assist in training the new dog and teach him the house rules. If you have no other dogs, just minimize your influence. Allow the new dog to explore, find a favorite place and learn what is what in your home.
3. Don't overreact to accidents or odd behavior. Don't respond to anything too quickly. Your established dogs may respond well to a sharp "no!" but this could adversely affect the new dog, if it has emotional trauma issues. You may even have to let a few things slide. If you yell at one dog, the new, skittish one may run, cower and shake. Rescues may exhibit nervous peeing or defecating. Try to be calm, clean up and move on. If you don't see it as a catastrophe, your new dog will get over it faster.
Sadly, the only attention some dogs ever get from their owners is punishment. Dogs are social and they will do what it takes for some human interaction. Your new dog may have learned that accidents mean attention, so you'll need to show her that she only gets attention from good behavior.
4. Recognize your dog's body language. Yawning and licking lips can be signs of nervousness. Your skittish dog might sit off to the side while you read the paper, keeping an eye on you while yawning and licking her lips. Ignore her behavior at first. After a few weeks, smile at her and say her name in a soothing voice. Calming her and helping her feel safe is important in helping her heal.
5. Give your dog some space, but also make a little "us" time. It is important to gain your dog's trust so you can physically examine him when the need arises, such as if you need to look for injuries or ticks. You need to show him that you will not hurt him when you touch him. After the morning walk, spend some "us" time with your skittish dog. A small space feels safer to a dog who spent years in a crate, and may be similar to the den a dog would dig in the wild. Keep the leash on and take her into the bathroom. Start with simply sitting with her on the floor, on her level. As soon as she is comfortable at this level, stroke her head and say her name, working up to a gentle body massage and tummy scratching. Be patient and don't take it personally if she acts as if she doesn't want the attention. Give her time.
6. Ignore bathroom accidents at first. Take the dog out on a leash several times a day, and praise her and act pleased when she does her business. Give her a treat afterward. Sliced hotdogs make irresistible treats for even the most jaded dog. Do not react to an accident; simply clean it up and ignore the culprit. Dogs love positive reinforcement, and even the most damaged dog looks forward to pleasing you -- after all, you are giver of treats, food and attention.
Once the rescue dog is house-broken, she or one of the pack may test you with an occasional accident. If they have been good for a long time, you will know this is an intentional test. Say a firm "No" or "Bad," but only if you catch them in the act, and then ignore them -- no attention, treats or belly rubs for a while. You may also close off that particular room to them. This is difficult to master, so don't be hard on yourself if you react in anger initially. Be mindful of your reaction, though, and work toward it.
7. Welcome the courtship. There will come a time when the rescue dog attempts to bond with you. You may notice her standing in the doorway watching you. Smile, say her name and give her a treat. She may sit in the kitchen while you cook supper -- give her a treat. Go with your intuition. This is a courtship, so be gentle and patient.
8. Be forgiving. There will be setbacks -- many, in fact. You will make mistakes. Stepping in something with your bare feet could cause you to swear or yell at the dog. Seeing a favorite keepsake broken or discovering someone stole a loaf of bread can make you snap. Allow the dog to witness you calming down, sigh deeply and when you are calm, say you are sorry. Then get over it and move on. Forgive your dog easily and forgive yourself with as much compassion.
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