top tips for settling a rescue dog please :)

[ArfurBrain]

Specifically, the first couple of nights.
The dog hasn't been abused or anything, is 6 and pretty well mannered. she is apparently used to sleeping downstairs and we will be getting a crate to help her have a safe space.
Would just like your top tips to help us cope :)

If she's already got her own blanket or something, put it in the crate;
Gentle music settles a lot of dogs;
get her used to the space if possible, so she knows it's her nice place to settle (so practice leaving her there for a little time at a time)

As long as she knows her family are there, and she's physically comfortable, all needs met, there's no reason that nights should be particularly difficult.

Good luck!

Walking, walking and great treats:)

More walking if in doubt!

Not really an answer to your OP, but be prepared for her to have a bit of a rebellion in a couple of weeks.

In my (limited!) experience of rescue dogs, they are angels the first couple of weeks. Once they have their feet under the table they go through a major toddler test the boundaries phase, no matter what their age.

Good luck!

Don't be surprised if you have a few accidents in the first few nights and days. She may well have an upset tummy as a result of the stress of moving, and dogs will often do a wee in a strange house to start with. As soon as she gets the message this is her new home, she'll be OK again.

Also, try not to over-think this or fuss her too much. Calmness, gentleness, and a steady, quiet routine will do the trick. The time for endless fussing,cuddles etc will be later when she is comfortable, settled and feels ready for that. Once she feels like part of the family, you will be pestered for cuddles very often (if ours are anything to go by!).

Also, agree that plenty of exercise is a great idea, but I'd keep her on the lead for a while yet, until you are certain her recall to you is absolutely rock solid, or you have somewhere safe/enclosed.

oh thanks for all this, I'd heard about the 'honeymoon period' - and th ened of it! . How does one handle that?? It won't last long, will it?

Arfur - it depends on the dog.
Mine (given her age, past experience and unsettled past) was quite saintly once she realised that this is home.

If your dog has (minor) 'behavioural issues' (which sound like a huge big deal - better just to say if she gets a bit cheeky...), you won't know if these are a phase until you have hindsight. And as with dealing with other cheekiness that you don't want, you just have to be firm and consistent in setting out your boundaries, making sure training is ongoing, clear, consistent, etc.

Also, though, as with any dogs, the happier, calmer and more relaxed and confident you are, the more secure, confident and calm (and therefore more obedient and easygoing) the dog will be, and so the easier it will be to deal with any issues whilst being confident that you're not consolidating existing ones or creating new ones.

Find out what food she's been given in the rescue centre, and use that to start with. You can gradually switch to a different food later if you want to, but keeping it the same at first reduces the chance of a tummy upset, and keeps things consistent for her.

My tips:
Start leaving her alone for short periods straight away
Get a DAP collar or diffuser if she isn't settling
Don't worry if she wants to stick close to you at first, I ended up sleeping on the sofa with our giant labrador lying on top of me for a fair few nights!

When do you get her?

ah well, we were supposed to get her tomorrow but she is a bit poorly and on antibiotics so they are ringing us next week, with an aim for next friday. We want to go and see her again tomorrow as I am pining :)

what is a DAP collar?

Also, anyone any opinions on whether harness lead better than a normal one? I went a bit rabbit in headlight in the pet shot yesterday - too much fecking choice
we have appropriate sized crate, dog bed, bowls for food and water, a couple of toys (inlcuding one to hide treats in to keep her occupied when we foirst leave her)
a name tag as per the law
what else do we need?
The charity are giving us a sack of the dry food she is used to.