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What do I need for rescue dog??

13 replies

Abneyandteal19 · 18/03/2022 11:57

Hi
We are potentially getting a rescue dog! So excited. She is medium size prob got some Labrador in her but smaller size. 4 yrs old.
Just doing all checks etc but I just wondered what we actually need! Been a while since we had a dog and a lot seems to have changed!
From pictures it looks like she walks on a harness, and sleeps in a soft sort of cushion basket,
What else do we need to buy?
Basket
Harness
Lead
Food bowls

Please give me your ideas?? Thanks!

OP posts:
ABitBesotted · 18/03/2022 12:05

Pet insurance
A couple of leads- short and strong for streets, long retractable for parks etc
Clicker/ whistle / lots and lots of dog treats for training
Toys (cuddly, hard, balls... my dog loves her squeaky elephant)
A freezer full of chicken, mince, liver etc as a backup to dog food
Collar, ID tag.

I personally dislike crates, but creating some comfy blanketed and screened off areas (perhaps behind furniture) for her to slink off to when she wants peace is a nice thing to do.

Happenchance · 18/03/2022 12:54

I'd use a longline rather than a retractable lead. Does the rescue have an onsite shop? If they do, they should be able to fit her with a harness for you. You could probably purchase a lot of other stuff from there as well.

I would ask the rescue if she eats and/or drinks out of a raised food and/or water bowl because you may need to buy a stand for her. Some dogs are picky about what type of bowls they will use (another question for the rescue).

You'll need something to secure her in your car.

I would also ask the rescue which food toys she likes and understands how to use, and purchase them. These can help keep her entertained if you're not planning on walking her for the first few days, whilst she settles in.

If you're planning on feeding her something different to what she eats at the rescue, I would buy some of her current food and gradually change her over to the new food, to try and prevent her from getting an upset stomach.

I'd purchase grooming tools: an appropriate brush and shampoo, e.g. fox poo shampoo if she's prone to rolling in it Grin

A cover for your sofa and/or car seat if she's going to be allowed on them.

Towels for drying her off, if you don't want to share towels with her.

Poo bags, a head torch for night time toilet trips and an enzyme cleaner for any accidents.

I would give the rescue a blanket that smells like you and ask them to keep it in her kennel. She can bring it home with her when she's adopted and take comfort from the fact that it's familiar to her, and smells of both you and her.

Don't be afraid to ask the rescue lots of questions about her likes and dislikes. They'll appreciate it!

Happenchance · 18/03/2022 13:06

Whilst you're building a bond with her and getting to know her, I would use a double ended lead and clip it onto both her harness and collar. That way, if something startles her and she slips her harness or collar, she'll (hopefully) still be attached to the lead by the other one.

Abneyandteal19 · 18/03/2022 18:44

Thanks all that's helpful.

What do you need for the car? I've not heard of this?

Thanks for ideas re food- yes we will keep the same. She is fostered so no rescue center shop etc but I will ask what kinds of harnesses etc and her same/similar ones.
Also good ideas about blankets- I will bring one when we visit her.

I don't think we will crate- she is apparently very chilled and relaxed and happy to sleep alone.

OP posts:
yorkshireteaspoonie · 18/03/2022 18:53

Patience and routine! If they have been in kennels there's not much separation between eating and pooping space. They may be used to going on concrete so don't differentiate hard surfaces (wood floor for example)

We had to encourage them onto grass and not the patio to toilet along with a routine of first thing/ last thing at night/ after meals etc

hellcatspangle · 18/03/2022 18:56

What sort of car do you have? If you have a hatchback and want her to go in the boot space you'll need a guard (you can get fairly cheap ones that fit around the head rests. If you want to put her in the back seat you'll need a car harness and I'd recommend a seat cover (again, Amazon sell those, we bought a rhino brand one that's really good)

LostForWords2021 · 18/03/2022 19:05

I bought this one with a built in car seat belt.

Do you have a garden? I would skip walks for a while and let her get used to her new home first. Then walk in the evening when it's quieter.

What do I need for rescue dog??
Abneyandteal19 · 18/03/2022 19:14

@yorkshireteaspoonie

Patience and routine! If they have been in kennels there's not much separation between eating and pooping space. They may be used to going on concrete so don't differentiate hard surfaces (wood floor for example)

We had to encourage them onto grass and not the patio to toilet along with a routine of first thing/ last thing at night/ after meals etc

Thank you- great tips there. She's actually fostered in someone home at the mo but good to think of that in a new setting.
OP posts:
Mrsbunton · 18/03/2022 19:15

What you need more than anything is as full a history as possible of the dog you are considering and an extremely realistic expectation of what a rescue dog can entail. These can be very damaged little creatures with a lot of issues that you may not be fully aware of.

It’s often like starting a book at chapter 3; you have no idea what the dog has missed, such as vital building blocks.

You will need an extreme amount of patience and kindness. Good luck.

Abneyandteal19 · 18/03/2022 19:16

@hellcatspangle

What sort of car do you have? If you have a hatchback and want her to go in the boot space you'll need a guard (you can get fairly cheap ones that fit around the head rests. If you want to put her in the back seat you'll need a car harness and I'd recommend a seat cover (again, Amazon sell those, we bought a rhino brand one that's really good)
Ah ok thank you- we have a 4x4 and she would go in the boot as the kids will Be in back seat! Will look into the guards although I don't think there would be enough space for her to jump into the back?
OP posts:
Happenchance · 18/03/2022 20:40

Assuming you're in the UK, Rule 57 of the Highway Code says:
When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.

The rescue may not allow you to take her if they don't think it is safe for her to travel in your car.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 18/03/2022 20:45

3 days
3 weeks
3 months

Happenchance · 18/03/2022 20:46

If you have a 4x4, I would get a ramp or stairs for her to use to get out of it, so that she doesn't damage her joints.

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