Rescue Collective - RESCUE / REHOME / COMMUNITY

Bringing your Rescued Dog Home

If you have adopted a dog from a shelter, congratulations and Thank You for giving her a chance at life and love.

Remember when you first bring her in your home to keep her on the leash and “introduce” her to the people, the rooms and the new environment she will be living in. Show her the
backyard, “her” things and let her smell her new world. If she seems fearful,
reassure her and continue the tour until she seems comfortable. Remember, it
could take about a week to a month before she realizes that she is home and fully believes this is her house.

Help your new dog feel welcome in his new home by setting aside a place in the house that will be his own. A quiet corner can allow him to be out of the lane of traffic, yet let him see what is going on. Have a dog bed
or crate ready for him where he can keep all his toys. Show him his food and
water bowls. Stainless steel or ceramic are better as they are easy to clean,
durable and do not harbor germs as easily as plastic. Of course, you should already
have a collar or harness and leash, to take him on walks.

It is very important to always, keep her leashed when she is outside the house in a non-fenced in area, especially for the first few months. It is very common in the first days for a dog to “bolt” from a new home that
she has not bonded to yet. Sadly, many of these dogs are never found or worse.
Remember that she cannot have enough identification, especially in the
beginning. A tattoo or microchip is an excellent permanent ID but a tag with
your phone number will get her home to you even faster. Make sure you keep the
registry current when you move or get a new number.

What to Feed?

There are several schools of thought as to what you should feed your new dog, including this site. You might want to spend some time reading the discussions in What’s for Dinner? Something you might want to keep
in mind when you first bring him home is that he probably was not eating Filet
Mignon at the shelter and abrupt changes in diet could cause stomach upset.
Find out what he was eating at the shelter then introduce new food gradually
over several days.

You also want to choose a food that is age appropriate. Puppies have different nutrient needs like more protein and calories, as is found in growth formulas, whereas senior dogs need much less of both to maintain
youthful health. Spend some time and do some research on canine nutrition
before you decide what you will feed you canine companion.

What to do Next?

One of the first things you should do when you bring your new dog home, is schedule a visit to the veterinarian. Make sure you bring any medical records with you as well as a fresh stool sample. Make it a spa day by
having a check-up, grooming and a nail clipping. Make sure you discuss spay or
neuter with your vet. Spaying your dog will not only prevent unwanted
pregnancies but it will also protect your dog from mammary tumors and uterine
infections. Neutering your male dog will protect him from testicular cancer and
prostate problems. These procedures are safe and give your dog a longer,
healthier life.

You might want to enroll your puppy in “puppy kindergarten” classes at 11 to 20 weeks to get a start on socialization and behavior training. Enroll in obedience or socialization classes for your older pooch to
set the tone for appropriate behavior. These classes will give you a chance to
bond with each other and if you can work at it with the children, it will teach
them how to behave near their new family member, too.

Remember that every dog needs plenty of toys to keep boredom from leading to chewing on the wrong things or constant barking. Allowing him to chew, tug, carry, shake, toss and “kill” toys is an important way to keep
things interesting and him out of trouble. Rotating toys can also keep things
interesting and exciting.

Remember, that with patience, time and love your rescued dog will be the most loving family member.

Lynne Fowler

RRC Admin.

Tags: collective, days, doodle, first, home, oodlesofdoodles.org, rescue, rescuecollective.com, rescued, what-to-do

2 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joan K Vachon on July 30, 2011 at 11:03am

We just rescued a Labradoodle who is 7 months old; he's been with us for 11 days now (he was in a high kill shelter in GA and rescued by FPR in Florida and they had him for 2 weeks before we adopted him). He's a love but we have a long way to go with behavior. 80% of the time he is sweet and quiet---20% he is doing what we refer to as "actively rejoicing that he is free and has a nice home"! He's all mouth and very playful and knows nothing behavior wise, so we have a long way to go. We've always had Labs from puppyhood so we are prepared for training and will soon start with a trainer. I must say the jumping and leaping and lunging is new to us--he's like a 2 month old pup in a 7 month old body--is that the "poodle" in the mix?

▶ Reply

AdminPermalink Reply by Lynne Fowler - Admin on July 30, 2011 at 11:23am

Sounds like it's the puppy in the mix. He is still a baby and if he was caged for some or all of that time, you are probably right, he is rejoicing that he gets to do what he missed out on. A trainer will help but lots and lots of exercise will also help. You want to wear him out as much as possible to get out that pent up energy. Reward him when he is doing the right things and turn your back on him when he mouths or jumps. Once he stops, then give him your attention and a reward. You have to think of him as a toddler for another few months, I'm afraid. Only time, patience and love will teach him his manners. Make sure you get a trainer who uses positive training methods or you will have a more unruly pup on your hands. Let us know how it goes.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joan K Vachon on July 30, 2011 at 11:39am

Thanks--it helps to know we are on the right track. When he gets crazy and starts jumping and grabbing us we do turn our backs but then he leaps at our backs too and stays mouthy---do we just stay turned and endure til he stops? We try to have toys planted around the house so as to be able to put something in his mouth when he gets crazy, but don't always succeed which is painful with his teeth and paws on us. We have lots of time and patience fortunately; we are retired now and most times someone is home and we crate when we leave; he has really adjusted to his crate which he didn't want at all (can't blame him after being caged for so long)....a treat made that be a non-issue very quickly. Although he's 60 pounds we visualize him as a puppy and expect no more. Thanks for the response!

▶ Reply

AdminPermalink Reply by Lynne Fowler - Admin on July 30, 2011 at 12:12pm

Most of it will change with age and time but you have to be consistent. I have a "BIG" jumper, (105 lbs) and he actually knocked me down when I first got him and put a couple bite marks on me, the first few times. He mostly did it when I was coming in from work (I don't crate). What worked with him was to have a "cookie" or jerky treat with me when I came in the door and I would stick it in his mouth when he stopped jumping. I would keep repeating "SIT" and as soon as he sat, he'd get it. But it did take a few times, until he put 2 and 2 together. Another trick you could try is a water gun, for some dogs it is enough to get their attention diverted to something else. A clicker or whistle, also might get his attention. But what works with one, won't with another. My big boy likes bring squirted with the water gun but my foster schnoodle hates it and will immediately stop whatever he's doing. When I have a lot of foster dogs here, I will carry a broom. Not to hit them, but smacking it on the ground or something, will also create that surprise noise, to get their attention. Making sure he gets lots and lots of exercise will help the most. Just remember, in a few months all this will be behind you. Hang in there...it gets better.

▶ Reply

‹ Previous
1
2
Next ›

RSS

Welcome to
Oodles of Doodles Rescue Collective

Sign Up
or Sign In

Or sign in with:

Have a Comment or Question?

~~~~~

Donate to the

Doodle Messenger

Order Cards

Click DONATE Button below and place $18 to rescuecollective@gmail.com. In the comments section, please note Doodle Messenger Cards and your shipping address.~~

~ 501(c)(3) Tax Deductible ~

~ There are 50 sets of the limited edition note cards featuring Doods available. The color and quality are great, and of course accompanying envelopes make up the packet.

Oodles of Doodles is handling the ordering process. $15 plus $3 for S/H, available for shipping to U.S. and Canada only. Remember, these are limited edition.