How to Train a Rescue Dog

Many people say rescue dogs make the best companions because they are grateful. That may or may not be true but rescue dogs certainly deserve a wonderful home and some training. Some have issues but usually it is easier to train a rescue dog than it is to train a puppy.

Instructions

1. How to Train a Rescue Dog

2. Assess your new rescue dog. If you got your dog from a rescue where he spent time in a foster home, the foster owner will be able to tell you a lot about the dog. Usually they know how he is with other dogs, cats, children and his general level of training so you have a head start.

3. If your rescue dog came from a shelter, you will need to watch and learn what, if any, issues he has and what sort of training he needs.

4. Start teaching your dog that people are friendly. Many people think their rescue dog has been “abused” because he acts shy or barks at people. Usually these dogs have not been abused but have not been socialized well so they don’t trust people.

5. Get in the habit of carrying a small bag of yummy treats when your dog is meeting new people. Have people give him a treat and pet him gently under the chin or ears if he seems nervous. Don’t push him into situations he is not comfortable with, give him time to learn to trust.

6. Teach your rescue dog to sit on command if he doesn’t already know how. This is a very useful command for any dog to learn. He can sit while being petted by people instead of jumping up. He can sit at curbs when you’re on walks. Use a treat and lure him by moving it over his head until he sits. Once he has the idea, reinforce it by having him sit for meals, to go in and out the door and for treats. Not only will he be well-mannered but he will realize that you are in charge and he can make good things happen by sitting politely.

7. Get your rescue dog used to a crate. Not every dog needs to be crated while you are away from home of course. But until you know whether he gets anxious, destructive, or won’t potty in the house in your absence, a crate is a wonderful tool. Give him his meals in his crate. If he likes to play fetch or tug, throw the toy into the crate so he associates it with fun things.

8. Be consistent with all your commands and rewards. Use the same words for everything and before you know it your dog will have a big vocabulary. Have words for every action — going in and out, sitting, going to crate, play time, eating, going in the car, going for a walk. If you use the same word each time your dog will quickly make the association and you can then use that word as a command.

9. Take a basic obedience class. Dogs of any age can take basic obedience classes, they are not just for puppies. Group classes are fun and inexpensive and you and your new dog will both learn a lot. As a bonus your dog will learn to pay attention to you around distractions and if he has any issues with other dogs, the trainer will help you work through them.

How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need?

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Although all dogs need some exercise, not all dogs require the same amount. It’s also important to remember that dog exercise comes in a variety of forms not regularly practiced by people.

 Exercise needs have very little to do with size. Instead, breed tends to count the most. For example, Jack Russell Terriers and Shelties often begin to misbehave when given too few exercise opportunities. On the other hand, a mastiff and many other large dogs may be happy with a couple of daily walks in the park or a 15 minute game of catch.

Little dogs quite frequently require more exercise than larger dogs. Many of these needs can be satisfied in an apartment or back yard. If the small dog has adequate toys, or a dog or cat companion, it can generally meet all its own activity needs. However, don’t miss walking thedog on a daily basis too; a walk proves healthy exercise for both the dog and its owner.

Mid-size breeds also vary in their need for exercise. Expect dogs that are natural hunters or herders to require more activity. Beagles, hounds, border collies, Alaskan sled dogs, and Australian shepherds are naturally going to be restless if cooped up. They need time to run around, catch things, chase things, and to walk or jog.

Many of the working dogs benefit from having another dog companion. They also will benefit from visits to dog parks. A 30 minute to one hour visit to a dog park each day frequently gives the dog as much exercise as he needs because playing with other dogs requires exertion. Also expect to walk or jog with these dogs daily.

Some dogs also require mental exercise. Dogs, like people, can get bored. Certain dogs get bored enough to engage in undesirable behaviors like destroying potted plants or eating your shoes and furniture. New toys that require some work to get reward are fantastic for dogs that need a mental challenge. Also, daily interaction with your dog will help satisfy some mental needs.

Since many dogs are mixed breeds, it may be hard to know what type of exercise requirements they have. Once you get a mixed breed dog, observe its behavior. If the dog enjoys basking in the sun most of the day, it probably does not need as much exercise. Conversely, if the dog appears restless and wanders around the house or yard relentlessly, its needs may be better met by more activity. Also, older dogs tend to have fewer daily exercise needs than do younger dogs.

As with people, be wary of providing too much exercise in hot temperatures. During hot months, allow your dog to take breaks and bring along water. Also, schedule activities during the coolest parts of the day, like right before sunrise or right after sunset.

HOW DO I MAKE THIS EASY FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND?

In the past 48 hours I have had some news that has  me confused. I can’t for the life of me figure out why humans do the things they do? Probably why I work with dogs, they are much simpler and easy to understand.

Here is my dilemma, people give up dogs either to me or shelters because the dog is either to much for them to handle,  or they simply chose the wrong breed,  or worse find out that they don’t have the time to spend with the dog to accomplish what the dog needs. This I do understand. I don’t like the reasoning, but I understand. Think before you purchase them, take in account your life style, availability, and finances.

So then WHY do these same people a few weeks later, or a few months later then go and get another dog? If you didn’t have time for the first one or couldn’t afford to train it, spay or neuter it, or have the space for it, then why do you get another one if you haven’t changed anything?  You still can’t afford it, or worse you  got a more difficult breed than the one you gave away? When I asked why did you get another dog the answer I get freaks me out! Because it was cute and needed a home!!!!!!! So you selfishly took away the opportunity for this dog to find a permanent loving home where it would get everything that it needs from training, medical needs, room to run. You know as well as I do in a few short weeks or months your going to be right back in the situation that you were in before and give up yet another dog, only now that this dog is older it’s going to make placing it in a good home that much harder!

The definition of crazy to me is, doing an activity over and over, change nothing, but expect a better result!  CRAZY

This drives me nuts, the irresponsible people who get these dogs and are not willing to do what ever it takes to keep them safe, healthy and happy for the entirety of the dogs life, should stop getting them! You make mine and others jobs much harder than need be. Animals are a commitment! A huge commitment!!

Annual Costs to Care for a Dog

First Year              Each Subsequent Year
Food and treats                               $1200            $1200
Inoculations                                      $300              $150
Worming                                             $ 160             $160
Spaying or neutering                       $300 – $1000 depending on size of dog
Flea/tick/heart worm prevention      $160     $160
Licensing                                               $45        $45
Accessories and toys                        $150   or more  and every year
Grooming                                               $75-400      $ 75-400
Training                                                  $300-500     depends on how well you did the first time training is a life long commitment
TOTAL                                                  $ 4015               $ 2715

These numbers  do not show, health issues, corrective surgery, accidents, etc….. dogs are not cheap!!! There is no such thing as a free dog! If you don’t feel that you can afford this, then don’t get a dog. Dogs like our children deserve to be in homes that can provide at the minimum,  the basics, these numbers are the basics!

Please people think long and hard about owning an animal, our shelters are full, foster homes are full, SPCA is full, most dogs and cats that get dumped in these shelters get put down far more times then they get adopted. Especially if we as humans failed them. If your dog is a large breed, untrained, bad mannered, hyper etc. these dogs are usually the ones to be put down first!! They are considered the UNDESIRABLES !! These dogs never asked to be put here, or have bad owners, they are the innocent victims of our selfish ways!!!! Please, please, I beg you to STOP!!!

I WANT TO HEAR YOUR HONEST OPINION

Okay, so I have a question designed to provoke you! I want you to get angry, in fact I wanna get you right pissed off! After I have you right good and mad I want to hear about it! I have been asked ” what would you do? ” the question was,  what would you do if you found a dog in a car with no air on and windows up on a hot day like today? Well I think most of you know what I would do, this is why I want to know what you would do? There are a lot of big talkers out there but when push comes to shove most of you go silent. I personally have seen the silence in some of you first hand, It pisses me off! I am so sick and tired of all the big talkers saying what they would or wouldn’t do in this situation, but then turn their heads hoping like hell they don’t have too because just  maybe someone else will be there who will! I call BULLSHIT! you can’t tell me in one breath how you are an animal advocate but don’t have the balls to do WHAT EVER it takes to keep them safe! I have had to personally endure the verbal bullshit about how you love these dogs so much and how you feel like they are apart of your family, but then discard them because;  the puppy cuteness wears off!, YOU  realize YOU picked the wrong breed for your family needs, you can’t afford the medical bills, Your moving and they don’t allow pets! ( total bullshit ) the law in Ontario states you cannot refuse a person from renting due to they have pets!! Or my most favorite one is; I just had a baby or am about to have a baby and can’t handle both!!!  If this is you? whom ever you are, please stop getting these puppies! I am sick and tired of cleaning up your mess! Here is a few  questions  you need to ask before you even decide to get an animal, any animal, If you can’t afford to pay your rent, have a safe yard,  wash your clothes, feed your children, provide the basic health care ( spay and neuter ) or you are on some kind of government assistance and it barely covers your needs or your child’s needs, THEN DO NOT GET THESE ANIMALS PLEASE!!  They are not disposable!!! They are loving creatures that deserve the best from us, they didn’t pick us, we chose them. they didn’t ask to be thrown away at the first sign of trouble, they wouldn’t get rid of you! In fact they would defend you NO MATTER WHAT!!

 

What does this have to do with the dog in the hot car? Well let me tell you,  the people who are this  feeble-minded ( not to offend the people who really are feeble-minded ) are the ones talking this good game of ” how much they love their pets ”  hoping you don’t realize the total bullshit falling out of their mouths, well I do!! I have staked a 23 year career on being able to know with 100% probability that you are lying through your teeth, and I must say with a 95% accuracy I am usually right!!  So I am posing this question to you, are you a person who does? Or are you the person who just talks the good game!

What would you do if you found an animal in a car with no air condition or open windows?? Would you be willing to go to jail or pay a fine to save a life?

 

Like I said earlier in this rant you all know what I would do!! My entire life is revolved around saving these dogs at ANY cost to me!! Let me hear from you!! Not on face book or personal email, I want to start a conversation here on this website for all to read!! Please I hope I made some of you mad, I hope I even pissed some of you off  and started a good healthy debate! If I did be warned now I think you will be greatly surprised at some of the answers your about to get!!!

PUPPETS PROGRESS

Well we are coming on two weeks of Puppet being in our home and I am very happy to report she is doing wonderful,she has turned out to be a very calm, quiet and very social little girl. We have had two dogs in for boarding and they are all getting along very well. We have taken Puppet every where we have gone for the past two weeks to expose her to everything, people, places, dogs and even my friends 9 month old baby and Puppet is very respectful every where she goes and I am pleased to say she is awesome with the baby too, doesn’t nip, bite or even bark other than to signal she wants to play or go out for a pee. Puppet is about 95% potty trained and is now sitting at the door when needs to go out and if there is an accident it’s because I didn’t get to her in time, so my bad there! I have to thank the people who bring  these dogs and puppies into my life because they teach me something new almost everyday and remind me to be patient. I always tell people, you may not get the dog you want, but you will always get the dog you need. Apparently we needed a new baby! Well I hope all you dog lovers out there have a good week and keep up the good work with your own puppies and dogs, remember to be kind and loving and you will be paid back ten times over, our dogs are the essence of unconditional love and deserve the very best we can give.

PUPPETS PROGRESS

Well we are coming on two weeks of Puppet being in our home and I am very happy to report she is doing wonderful,she has turned out to be a very calm, quiet and very social little girl. We have had two dogs in for boarding and they are all getting along very well. We have taken Puppet every where we have gone for the past two weeks to expose her to everything, people, places, dogs and even my friends 9 month old baby and Puppet is very respectful every where she goes and I am pleased to say she is awesome with the baby too, doesn’t nip, bite or even bark other than to signal she wants to play or go out for a pee. Puppet is about 95% potty trained and is now sitting at the door when needs to go out and if there is an accident it’s because I didn’t get to her in time, so my bad there! I have to thank the people who bring  these dogs and puppies into my life because they teach me something new almost everyday and remind me to be patient. I always tell people, you may not get the dog you want, but you will always get the dog you need. Apparently we needed a new baby! Well I hope all you dog lovers out there have a good week and keep up the good work with your own puppies and dogs, remember to be kind and loving and you will be paid back ten times over, our dogs are the essence of unconditional love and deserve the very best we can give.