Tips for helping a rescue dog to feel at home

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

We're likely to be adopting a rescue lurcher in a couple of weeks (very excited!) This will actually be our third rescue dog - the first two both developed cancer and had to be pts. They both seemed to settle in OK, but we very much made it up as we went along. I know the basics, calm environment, good walk on the first day etc, but are there any other magic tricks that worked for you?

Classic FM on the radio down low overnight for our rescue greyhound. Turns out this was played overnight in the kennels where she had been before us.

Fresh great idea, thanks. I can see how it would be a bit of a shock going from the racket in kennels to a completely silent home.

I think the best advice is to 'act normal ' - don't make a big fuss of the dog, don't invite people round to meet him, go about your normal business and let the dog observe you.
It sounds harsh, but in a way the more you ignore him the quicker he will settle.
Good routine, regular feeding and walks and in a few days you'll feel like he's always been there

When they come home, take them straight out in the garden and wait for them to have a wee so that they know straightaway where the right place is.
It's exciting having a new dog, but keep things quiet for a few days without loads of visitors.
Make sure the dog has somewhere they can take themselves off to - either crate or bed in a quiet spot.

Use two leads - one on a martingale collar, one on a harness on initial walks until you know what they are like and you don't get caught out.

Great, thank you! We have a 6yo DS, so will definitely be implementing a no-go zone for him, so the dog has somewhere to retreat to.

Hi Jesus. We found chicken to be a good ice breaker

Our rescue was petrified of us and her new home and would just sit on the floor sighing/grumbling with fear, it was beyond heartbreaking.

She did the odd poo/wee on the floor overnight and we dealt with it very quickly and without making her feel bad. The front door to garden was (still is) open all the time so she can lie in the sun, sniff the grass, hear people coming and going, and chew sticks and pine cones.

We went about our usual routine and she'd just follow us about. DH works from home, i took a couple of weeks off to help with woof. I'd sit and sew all day and she'd lay beside me. Both DH and i - and DS - had a pot of small bits of boiled chicken that we would give her (not enough to give her a dicky bum) to help us bond.

It took a good six months for her to trust us (she'd been mistreated and dumped in an industrial eastate for i don't know how long. She was 11mo when we adopted her). 15 months on and she still hates the car - backseat or boot - and she isn't happy putting on her harness for the backseat.

She has settled now, though, and loves her walks, her garden and sleeping on our bed

elQuinto That's so lovely, QuintoDog sounds like a lucky girl! The girl we're hoping to adopt was dumped too, by the side of a dual carriageway. She's very friendly and trusting though, and so gentle.

We adopted our lurcher last year. She was very quiet for the first few weeks. We didn’t make a huge fuss of her, just let her settle in. Initially we put her bed in the kitchen and used to leave her in the kitchen when we went out. She hated being shut in one room and used to do the toilet every time we left her. She also ripped up my kitchen floor when I left her for an hour. Discovered that she was much happier with free run of the house, no accidents at all, no destruction and she now sleeps in our bedroom! She just wants to be near us.
She was also dumped by someone. She’s still very nervous of sudden movements and hits the ground like she’s expecting to be hit, breaks my heart when she does it. But it’s been the most rewarding thing, she is so affectionate and loves nothing more than cuddles. Her zoomies are the highlight of my day, my mum said if you’re ever feeling sad just watch littlewoo’s dog playing and it can’t fail to cheer you up.
It’s just taking things slowly for the dog, and lots of treats!
Enjoy your lovely lurcher, they’re the best.

Helping me sew

Aww so content

Awww! We're going to have a full family introduction to our girl tomorrow, will let you know how it goes...

Yay! And... Photos are a must!

Met her properly for the first time today. She is beautiful! Such a gentle girl, and we had to keep stopping our walk because she wanted cuddles. Even when not being fussed she was constantly looking at us to check everything was OK. Don't know how to do photos, sorry, but she's very whippet like in appearance. She's white with brindle patches, and black stripes along her 'cheekbones'. A very striking girl and we all fell in love with her.

Only problem is, they take up to three applications for each dog, and give the dog to the applicant who looks best on paper. They told us today that someone else had put an application in yesterday So I'm stressing now. We find out on Monday..........

My parents' lurcher had never even been in a house - they had to tempt her in with bits of kibble.

However didn't take her long to figure out she was on to a good thing

A plentiful supply of pigs ears helped as did figuring out that she got hungry mid-afternoon and liked a ham sandwich to keep her going.

Anna Have yet to meet a pointy dog who couldn't be won over by food

Been to see her again today, and given them an additional side of A4 listing reasons why they should pick us. And sent 3 emails. Come Monday I'll either have a dog or a restraining order.

Set his bed and water bowl up ready for him to see when he comes into you home. Have a snack with you for the dog to eat on the journey home. Take him for a nice walk in the park or similar before you take him into his new house, it will help him relax, he can have a wee etc and he will love it as prob hasn't had much of that in rescue centre. Don't fuss or crowd him, let him have a good sniff and explore and be calm and relaxed around him. Don't handle him but let him come to you.

All fingers and toes crossed for you in the elQuinto house

Fingers crossed you get your girl 🐶

She's ours!! And we've got to go and get her tomorrow! So we've just got back from a mad trolley dash round Pets at Home. Argh, this is the bit where you remember how expensive they are, £154 for bed, food, coat, collar, the works We gave everything away after our last boy died because we were so sure we'd never have another. Wish you could have seen DS's face when we told him - he is now utterly manic

Anyone got any good names for a whippety lurcher? Her temporary name is Phoebe, but we've been thinking about Daisy... Not sure now.

Yay! So pleased for you.

Lovely news.

My neighbour had a Whippit called Windy. Always made me laugh.
I like Bessie or Tillie

Windy Well, she's Phoebe now because that's what's on all the paperwork and I cba to change it. Typing this with one hand because she is lying on my arm. Settled fine, couple of accidents on first night but she is clearly house trained, which is a bonus.. Still got that shell-shocked feeling I remember from our other two (and from when DS was a newborn). Might actually start a rescue survival thread to go with the puppy one.