Training a dog takes patience and dedication. A rescued dog will require double the patience and dedication to achieve the desired results. It’s a lot of work, but in the end it will be worth the effort.
Unplanned litters continue to be common even though the practice of spaying and neutering has been around for decades. As a result of this there are just not enough homes for all of the puppies that are born. When we add the number of dogs that get lost or wander away, rescue missions and shelters everywhere are filled to capacity. For many of these dogs being euthanized will be the sad reality.
Some of the lucky ones will get a second chance. They could be adopted from shelters or missions or taken in off of the street and into the care of a willing family. The new owners, however, are often not quite sure how best to deal with the rescued dog.
By the time dogs find their way to a shelter they are usually in poor shape. It is not uncommon for them to be victims of neglect, abuse of even terrible living conditions. Other times, for a number of different reasons, these dogs were released into the wild to fend for themselves.
In nature a dog is a pack animal. Even wild dogs don’t do well on their own. A domesticated dog that has been released into the wild and no longer has human or animal interaction do poorly. However, with some training, these ‘wild’ dogs can learn to tolerate human touch and stop barking at the smallest noise.
The first thing you should do after you have rescued a dog is to get a full health examination. You will not be able to start training your new dog if he is sick or in pain. It’s crucial to give them enough time regain their health.
If possible try to get any information regarding the dog’s history. Your training efforts will be helped if you have information on the dog’s past abuse or medical history.
It is important to establish trust with a rescued dog slowly. Try to avoid imposing yourself on the dog. The dog needs to learn to trust you and will then seek you out. The use of treats is a good way to build trust. Try stepping back a bit after putting a treat on the floor. Staring directly at the dog should be avoided at this point. It is important to praise them once they take the treat.
A few dogs that are rescued look for physical interaction from the beginning. Some can take weeks or more. But once you have got it you may want to attempt to gently lay the dog on its back and put your hands on its chest. You can expect that the dog will either resist if they tend to be aggressive or a fearful dog will accept. Neither behavior is good. Forcing an aggressive dog into a submissive position is done under normal training. This technique typically does not work for rescued dogs. Establishing trust will take time. Make sure that a fearful dog understands that being on its back is not a punishment by given it a belly rub and talking in a calm voice.
You may find that the training is slower and more difficult with a rescued dog. They are often older dogs, mixed, and with difficult temperaments which makes training more challenging. Don’t give up. The dog will reward you for your perseverance.
Avoid at all cost feeling sorry for the dog. This is counter-productive and will only hinder the training. You will want to be loving and caring when appropriate but still be in control. You must establish your position as a leader and let the rescued dog understand that you are the alpha of the pack.
It’s a lot of sweet and hard work but you will have a companion for life.
Stefan Hyross is a writer for All About Dogs ‘N Puppies. Correct common dog behavior problems and other issues. Also visit the site for tips on puppy
potty training and other lessons for dogs.
Mail this post
Recent Comments