Shelter Dog Rescue – Use your head not your heart when rescuing a dog.
If you are looking at getting a new dog and are thinking of rescuing from a shelter, please ensure you are prepared for the challenges it may present.
In the last few months I’ve seen quite a few clients that are having issues with their new addition to the family. Rescuing a dog is a great option and a great way of getting a new dog but it’s important you ensure you are the right person for the dog. Please also ensure you can fulfil the dog’s needs. Unfortunately, physically removing a dog from the pound isn’t enough if you truly want to rescue a dog. It’s critical to the dog that you rescue the mind too. Most dogs are in shelters for a reason. It’s not very often you will see someone surrender their dog if it’s well behaved. Most, not all but most dogs from a shelter will come with behavioural problems, assuming you can fix them by providing a loving home may result in you returning the dog to the shelter.
Ask yourself why you want a dog, if it’s to satisfy your own needs or because you feel sorry for the dog these are the wrong reasons. I understand that people’s hearts are in the right place but sadly that doesn’t help the dog.
Before you take on a rescue dog please ensure you find out as much as you can about the dog. See if you can take it for a walk, what’s it like around other dogs? Does it growl or bite if you touch its paws and so on. These are the sorts of things you must know before you take her home.
Be sure to only take on a dog you can manage. You need to dedicate at least 1 hour a day for physical exercise and burn out the mind by setting up your home with proper rules and boundaries, establishing leadership straight away is essential. It’s vital you ensure you can match the energy level of the dog, if you are a low energy person and you adopt a high energy dog, you will experience behavioural problems.
If you rescue a nervous, anxious or timid dog be careful not to nurture him. Because we feel sorry for the dog and we know it’s had a hard life we tend to over compensate which actually makes the dog worse. We always make excuses for rescue dogs but in truth, we are the ones that hold the dog back. Remember, dogs live in the moment and with your guidance there is no reason why your dog cannot move forward and improve its self-esteem and confidence.
Ideally, seek professional advice as soon as you adopt the dog. Don’t wait for problems to occur.
