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Book recommendation for Rescue dog

20 replies

rockcakesrock · 21/11/2017 12:20

We are considering getting a rescue dog in the New Year. We are both retired and have been talking about this for many years.

I wonder if anyone could recommend a good book, which will deal helping the dog to settle and training etc.

Also anyone’s own experience would be really helpful.

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ProseccoMamam · 21/11/2017 12:33

I don't have any book recommendations I'm afraid but lots of experience with dogs.

I'd assume a rescue dog would be quite nervous, is there a place in the house that's 'out of the way' to put the bed? Make sure nobody goes to that place so the dog knows that if things get too much they have a safe place to go and won't be disturbed. This can help massively with reassuring the dog and helping with anxiety.

Training will be helped lots with treats. There are so many videos online to help with ways to train dogs. Only thing I would recommend is to have a vocal and physical connotation for each thing. E.g a raised hand & the word sit means the dog has to sit down. A fist & the word lie means to lie down ect. This just helps a lot if the dog ever goes blind or deaf, and can make it easier for children to gain control of the dog too.

Try to interact with lots and lots of people and lots of animals. It's very very important to socialise your dog otherwise you will make the dog very anxious and scared of everything.

Make loud noises, play music, pass busy traffic areas ect and always reassure the dog if he/she looks uncomfortable with something. They will be scared of noises at first but once they hear the same noises over and over and are reassured it's nothing to worry about they will calm down quite quickly.

Give a treat to all your visitors or people you walk past in the street at first to give to the dog to show that people aren't a threat and visitors are a good thing.

Plenty of exercise can help with hyperness.

Body language is a really big thing so if there is any behaviour you don't want such as mouthing or jumping up, turn your whole body away with your arms crossed and refuse eye contact until dog has calmed down.

If there's anything else in particular you'd like help with feel free to ask Smile hope this helps x

rockcakesrock · 21/11/2017 12:50

Thank you for your ideas. I had a dog before I was married, but my DH has never owned a dog. Our house is very quiet and the dog will have lots of space and lots of walks. We don’t have many visitors and our grandchildren all have their own dogs/cats. I really want to make sure he is fully prepared, because I have wanted a dog my whole life, but would only have one if we were both in agreement. He has now said, without prompting that he would like a dog.

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CMOTDibbler · 21/11/2017 13:22

I think the advice you need will depend on the dog tbh. Some rescue dogs are very confident, some incredibly withdrawn. Some are over attached to people and you need to wean them off it. Some are terrified of men, some have never been walked on a lead - its massively varied.

But the rescue should talk to you about the dog and their needs, and what to do going forward - and they should be there for you at any time if you have issues.

What sort of dog are you thinking of? The rescue I foster for have some lovely dogs Smile

Wolfiefan · 21/11/2017 13:24

There's a great FB page called dog training advice and support. They have info on settling a new dog.
Worth looking out an actual RL trainer too. Someone APDT. Run a mile from anyone peddling dominance theory n

rockcakesrock · 21/11/2017 13:58

CMOT we don’t really have many preconceived ideas .
Definitely not a puppy
Not tiny/pretty dog
Size of a beagle/terrier.
Not a dog that pulls. I am quite small so I need to be able to control it.

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mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 21/11/2017 17:19

I've had 2 rescue dogs. The current one was quite anxious but friendly. I would say, just let them settle in and don't expect much of them at first or they may get a bit stressed. I'd avoid loud noises in the home while they get used to you and your family as it might add to the stress. Don't assume they are OK with everything. After 2 weeks I discovered mine was petrified of children which was not obvious unless you were looking for the signs. The first I knew of it was when a child ran up to her to see her and she lunged snapping at him. Now I know, I can see her tensing up when a small child gets closer than she wants or seems to be heading directly for her and we take avoiding action. It is clear, now I 've had her a while, she will never, ever be able to tolerate children near her as she is really, really frightened. She's quite happy to pass them quickly on the pavement as long as they aren't going to talk to her/approach her and we are out of their reach. This was quite a big aspect of her that I had not been warned about - I can only assume the rescue did not have an opportunity to try her behaviour with children - they knew she was a fearful dog generally (stressed in kennels) and had said she was looking for a quiet home and, if children, teenage or over. That didn't really tell me things would be quite as they were. Other that that one, forgivable thing (as she must have had a lot of cruelty from children before I got her but her history was unknown to the rescue as she was a stray), she has been an absolutely splendid dog and is very affectionate, cuddly and obedient. Given time, she has become much more relaxed and sociable - she's fine with other dogs and adults.

With regard to sort of dog you are after- be aware that a terrier has a high prey drive and is likely to suddenly run and pull the lead if it sees a squirrel or rabbit so you will get pulled then (and it is very painful on the elbow ligaments if you aren't expecting it).

Wolfiefan · 21/11/2017 18:01

Also think about how much walking and grooming you want to do. My huge dog is much easier in a lot of ways than some smaller, hairier and higher energy breeds!

rockcakesrock · 21/11/2017 19:42

Thank you, I have ordered it. It seems just what I am looking for.

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allfurcoatnoknickers · 21/11/2017 20:04

Second what @Wolfiefan says. I have two small, hairy hyperactive terriers, and regularly threaten to trade them in for a Great Dane/greyhound because it would be less hassle.

(I never would though, I love them really even though grooming costs a fortune and they’re NEVER TIRED)

Wolfiefan · 21/11/2017 21:07

Ha. Mine is snoring her head off right now. We did a very short walk on the school run, training session and she had a brief play in the garden!

Mupflup · 21/11/2017 21:32

As the owner of a very nervous, very reactive rescue dog who is fear aggressive to other dogs and terrified of humans she doesn't know, my tip would be that you need to be prepared for it perhaps not to pan out how you expect. As a PP said, how they are in rescue isn't always a true indicator of the issues they might have as they shut down and the issues only become evident after a few months, which is what happened with ours.

We got her envisioning her running free on the beach on Sundays, going on walks with doggy friends, her snoozing happily at our feet in the pub, leaving her with family or friends whilst we go on hols. Right now we are miles from a lot of that (but working on it!) and have only had 2 nights out together in 8 months!

That said she is the absolute light of our lives, she's funny and loving, so trusting of us and and brings us so much joy.

It's been hard and not what we expected but so rewarding and she gives back so much just by being part of our family. Getting her was the best decision we ever made.

rockcakesrock · 22/11/2017 11:48

Can anyone describe the process once vetted? Did the centre match you to a dog for example? Were you able to spend any time with the dog, before you brought it home.

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Wolfiefan · 22/11/2017 12:13

Depends on the dog and the rescue. Some bring out various ones for you to meet rather than letting you wander round. Some will have dogs in foster homes. If dogs are nervous etc many places would insist on several visits to get you used to each other.

NoSquirrels · 22/11/2017 12:36

It depends on the rescue place as Wolfie says. For you and your DH, as it will be his first dog ever and he's only come around to the idea, I'd say it would be a good plan to visit your local rescue (great if you have a small independent one nearby, say) and talk through what you need, how you live etc. If you visit regularly, they will be delighted to help you - and the dogs in kennels always need walking so you can meet lots of them. site often a lot of home-to-home adoptions or foster-to-adopt dogs are never advertised but the rescue will put you in line.

I'd advise an adult dog not a pup for you, as personality is fixed and training a puppy is a lot of work!

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 22/11/2017 12:59

I went to the RSPCA and looked at all their dogs up for adoption in the kennels - you could ask the kennelmaids about them. I then registered with them and discussed dogs I had seen. I was encouraged to walk any that I was interested in (there and then) round a large field. They talked me out of the two I was slightly interested in as they said they would be unsuitable for my lifestyle (not sure I entirely agree with that). They were really keen for me to settle on something so I agreed to walk a lovely lurcher which would have been really unsuitable for my lifestyle (tiny wee garden, flat nowhere to run off the lead). Battersea were great for me - you had to register to use them properly - having done so, you are supposed to call them regularly to see if they've got anything suitable for you (there are more available than feature on their website) or, if you see one you like on the website you can instantly reserve it and go along to meet it and spend time with it in their meeting room. I read that some prospective owners visited a dog several times and spent 1-2 hours with them while deciding. My dog walked in and that was it, I knew she was the right one.

CMOTDibbler · 22/11/2017 14:44

The rescue I foster for, you see a dog you are interested in online, and ring the rescue chair. She does the discussion about you and your lifestyle, and if suitable for the dog, passes you onto the foster co-ordinator. She knows more about the dogs in detail, and if she thinks it is a good match, you get to speak to the fosterer. All being well, you then visit the dog and spend time with them. We send people off for a walk with them after a chat (and seeing how the whole family interact with the dog). If the dog has some bigger issues than usual, we might do several visits before they choose to reserve. For some dogs we may have a discussion about who would be the absolute best choice for a particular dog.
Then a home check is done - and thats because we may need to look at things differently depending on the dog. My last one could jump vertically to 5 foot, so fencing was a massive check point!
Then the dog can go home.
It's a long process, but it's about trying to make sure that people are the right ones for a particular dog, that the truth about work etc is being told (you'd be amazed on this, esp with puppies), and that the whole family is totally on board with the choice.

rockcakesrock · 22/11/2017 14:48

CMOT would you be willing to say whereabouts in the country your Rescue Centre is located

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CMOTDibbler · 22/11/2017 15:16

We don't have a centre, all the dogs are in foster homes, and are spread over the country. Most of us are in Worcestershire.
We mostly have lurchers - EGLR is a specialist group - though some like little Ethel (minature yorkie) slip in!

CornflakeHomunculus · 22/11/2017 15:32

I'd highly recommend Train the Dog in Front of You by Denise Fenzi, it's absolutely brilliant.

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