Getting a 7 month old rescue in a month - what do we need?

[EarlessToothlessVagabond]

She is a whippet/staffy cross. She'll have been spayed, vaccinated, chipped etc. Crate-trained so we'll get a crate although will hopefully phase it out eventually (We have 2 cats so it will be useful). We're planning to have the crate in the bedroom to give the cats free range at night and also we're getting stair gates. She's not been walked and is very nervous outside so will need confidence building - are harnesses generally better than lead and collar? Planning on plenty of toys. What else? We're really excited and want to be good owners and get it right for her (she'd been passed around a lot apparently). I'm also looking into positive reinforcement training classes and will get her insured.

Any other words of wisdom appreciated!

[ihatetosay]

how exciting - definatly get a harness and make sure it fits properly.
make sure she cant get out of the garden make extra sure it is safe that she cant get out and no one can get in (too many dog thieves about) are there any socialising classes at your vets where she can meet other dogs or a doggy day care type place
just give her plenty of time to settle in - if you have a friend with a dog it would be good for them to come round to yours for them to meet.

good luck hope it goes well. just dont rush her as it sounds like she will need time but it will be well worth it in the end.

[FittyPheasant]

I have recently adopted a very nervous 10 month old terrier. The best advice I have had so far is to just let him find himself. My pup is simply badly socialised and then badly handled when his insecurities became apparent and difficult to manage. I have been told to not bother with training as such for a good month or so. We only walk where I know he can cope and only ask him to do things I know he can handle (precious little at the moment). Its a bit dull but it is paying off - so far he has started to actually eat which is a huge relief, he is happy to come in from the garden if I stand away from the door, he will ask for fuss and rubs. You get the picture, its a case of very baby steps.

A harness is better than a collar (just put some pressure on your own trachea and feel how the panic starts to rise, now imagine you have no control over that pressure) but she may need to learn about a harness if she has never had one. I use a Perfect Fit harness as I don't have to put it over my pups head and it fits him well enough that he can't wriggle out of it in a panic.

I was also advised to google T Touch and this is what I came up with. My boy loves these techniques.

You will make great owners just don't expect great things immediately.

[Rescuedontbuy]

How exciting for you all.When we got our rescue boy we used a crate (left the door open all day) and because we have 2 young and excited children plus moggies this was his safe haven so to speak.We told the kids that when he went to his crate they were to leave him alone as he has gone there to rest and have a bit of time out from us all. This worked really well for him and also made the kids respect his space.After a few weeks he no longer needed the crate but it did allow him time to settle in and get used to us all. Definitely go with a harness for walking and also get the puppy used to going out and about in the car aswell.If your chosen vet does a monthly pet plan they are also a good idea as it covers things like kennel cough vaccination,annual vaccinations,flea and worming treatment plus various health checks etc and it means you don't have to shell a big chunk of cash out as it's paid for monthly,this is aswell as insurance though NOT instead of.Hope this helps a bit.

[EarlessToothlessVagabond]

Thank you both. I have been doing a bit of reading up and am realising we will have to take it slow definitely. So it may take a few weeks to get her comfortable out walking around local streets before we'll be off gallavanting around the local park. Would it be good to get her used to other dog friendly places like our local pub (!)

That's a good point about not rushing straight into training classes and makes compete sense. She will just need to settle and get used to us, our house and routine etc. We will have to work on getting her used to being left on her own pretty quickly as I work part time. She's already being left for a couple of hours at a time and coping well with it.

[EarlessToothlessVagabond]

Oh and thanks to you to Rescue! Your reply just appeared after I posted! Good point about crate being safe haven. Kids are 10 and 13 and pretty sensible around animals.