Rescue dog - what do I need

[coffeetime1]

Hi, we've been approved for a rescue dog and are going to meet one this weekend. We're looking at something along the lines of a labrador/a medium sized dog who is quite active. I've done a lot of reading around about what we will need and have a list written but I'm just wondering if anyone any tips or recommdations of things they have bought that have been brilliant or whether there are certain brands to keep an eye out for. Thank you 😊

Crate
Bed with removable washable cover
Old towels
Fleece blankets to chuck over the dog bed to cut down on washing.
Collar and lead (I use fleece lined martingale collars that they can't back out of, made to measure by rhapsody collars and rugs on fb)
Biothene long line for recall training (15 meters)
The best lifetime insurance policy you can afford (sainsburys worth a look)
Best quality food, you will need to feed less of a better quality food so lasts ages.
Water bowl, food bowl.
Crate for the car and another bed and more fleeces!
Variety of toys, tuggy toys etc
Treat bag for walks
Wellies and wet weather gear for yourself
Training treats (I use hot dog sausages cut twice lengthwise and 10 times the other way, so you can reward frequently)
Brushes and shampoo
A drying coat
Natural chews like beef trachea/puzzle sticks (look up Natural dog treats, you can get a variety box for about 20 quid, Dudleys dog treats is one I've used)
A Kong to stuff and freeze
Licki mat
Licki bowl (my dogs have their raw breakfast in these, it takes them much longer to eat)
Cows hooves, I stuff with raw and veg mix and freeze,
Head torch for dark winter walks
Cool coat/mat for summer

I've probably missed loads of obvious ones.

Not so much things as just general advice for a new rescue.

Adaptil plug ins - stick them in the day before you pick them up, moving in is stressful for them.

if you’re changing insurers, do it immediately before the free one they come with runs out because the first two weeks are usually excluded.

You want the food they’ve been on to start with stress usually causes mild upset stomachs, you don’t want to make that worse by changing foods straight away and if you are changing do it gradually.

Don’t expect to walk them straight away, you want to give them loads of time to settle in, at the very least you want the first week to be fairly chill and boring for them.

Thank you both so much. A lot of great information and ideas there!

What you need is the knowledge that the dog you have on day 1 is not the dog they will be on day 3, week 3 or month 3.

It can take a few months for a rescue to really settle so be prepared for those changes. Being consistent is what the dog needs.

Good luck, it sounds like you're committed to whatever lucky dog comes to you.

Great list above.
My rescue pooch is not interested in toys except her kong ball and treat dispensing ball (wasted some money on tug and soft toys). Lots of great beds out there but my girl loves her Snuggle Paws bed the most- an XL was £50 inc p&p and they are on Facebook.

I can not emphasise enough the need for wet weather clothing 😩 . Don't bother with brollies just get a waxed hat .

A decent sized bed with blankets you can change. In its own quiet space. Crate if you want one. I’ve had loads of rescues and not needed a crate.
Bowls
A few toys
Collar, harness and lead (not extendable initially)
A dog towel and brush
Food. A bit of what of the dog is currently fed on so you can gradually swap onto what you want to feed.
Vet lined up to register with
insurance
Lots of patience and time to adapt to what happens. I’ve had rescues that walked in and settled immediately and others that took months. Just know that it might not be playful/cuddly/friendly for some time until it feels settled and safe. Have routines. Be kind, but don’t over fuss and spoil them, it can create more issues later. Let the dog sniff around, come to you if it wants, but let it be alone if it wants too.
Oh and a good hoover if it’s a lab!🤣

Good luck. 🙂

Poo bags
Old towels for wet feet, sodden dogs etc
If travel sick puppy pads are brilliant
Crate for the car or a dog restraint that fits over a rear seat headrest
Toys, chews, balls galore

Good luck 🍀, here’s to years of fun and ❤️

The number of a good dog trainer. The sort of person who will happily give you free advice and some training sessions and preferably also does home boarding.

Two reasons. Your dog will probably have some issues to be worked through and you will want to build trust with it.
You will also want your dog to have a relationship and trust with someone else so you can leave them from time to time without anxiety for either of you.

Some brilliant advice here, thank you.