Choosing and rehoming a rescue dog
Website design By BotEap.comChoosing a rescue dog
Website design By BotEap.comThere is something immensely satisfying about taking in a rescue dog, in many cases someone else has been unable to cope or has become a burden or a nuisance, in some cases it is due to a marriage breakup, bereavement or allergy or medical issues. . reasons. What amazes and infuriates me is that some people take dogs almost as a fashion accessory and then discard them when it’s no longer cool or convenient. Look at my poem “Am I coming home today?”
Website design By BotEap.comThe decision to get a dog should never be taken lightly, the whole family must accept the idea or the problems it can cause can be terminal to a relationship that may already be on the rocks.
Website design By BotEap.comI’ve had clients tell me they bought a dog so they wouldn’t look out of place when walking, they clearly hated animals and the dogs sadly knew they weren’t loved or wanted. In most of these cases, I recommended relocating them.
Website design By BotEap.comDogs can be incredibly perceptive, suffering from loneliness, anxiety, depression from stress, and often mourning the loss of friends and owners. Sometimes they give up the will to live and die because of their grievance. Owners, not always reciprocating this complete and utter loyalty, sometimes take care of dogs without thinking about what a commitment long-term dog ownership really is.
Website design By BotEap.comThis article is to give you an idea of what it is like to deal with a rescue dog.
Website design By BotEap.comWhat rescue group?
Website design By BotEap.comRescue societies come in all shapes and sizes and with a variety of policies. Some rescue groups do not have facilities to keep dogs; They make referrals from current owners to potential adopters. Others, such as Battersea, have enormous resources and large facilities for kennels,
Website design By BotEap.comThey all try to help owners find new homes for their dogs, give advice on solving problems, keep a list of available dogs, and screen potential owners. Most rescue societies are eager to place dogs in good homes. Some are overly anxious and skimp on temperament testing, health issues, or neutering. And a few have such strict adoption contracts and procedures that it is easier to adopt a child. These are the ones that place very few dogs. And it is the poor dogs that suffer for this. If you’ve gone through a thorough interview process and been turned down because of some minor rule, it can be very annoying in the extreme and turns some really good people away from accepting rescue dogs.
Website design By BotEap.comSome rescue societies go too far in setting guidelines for responsible dog care. I recently lost a much loved dog to cancer; I have two other dogs and decided that I would like to take on another rescue. This well-known rescue center (no names) insisted on a lengthy interview and home visit, despite the fact that they knew me and contacted me regularly for advice. Given what I do for a living, I found it somewhat institutionalized. They even said that the staff at the center would have to go through this same procedure.
Website design By BotEap.comTry supporting your small local rescue charity. In my area. The Hounslow Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) does brilliant work with all kinds of animals including cats, dogs, parrots, rabbits etc. Like “Dogs in Need”, click on any to go to their sites.
Website design By BotEap.comAll are run on a shoestring budget and run by unpaid volunteers. These are the charities you should be giving too, not the huge multinationals whose vast charitable giving is consumed by huge running costs and political agenda. See my links for local and national charities. “Rant About”
Website design By BotEap.comRescue dogs should always be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and at least relatively healthy before you buy them. A dog taking medication for an ear infection or arthritis can easily go to a new home; A dog with heartworm or an active respiratory or intestinal infection should be kept quiet until the disease is cured to avoid the stress of rehoming while under treatment.
Website design By BotEap.comGood rescuers try to match each applicant with an appropriate dog. They know if a particular dog likes children, he can get along with other pets, needs a lot of exercise, plays rough, is easy to train, is afraid of men, jumps fences, etc. They can’t make a good match if they don’t ask questions about the type of home the adopter will provide. So be prepared for the following questions. . .
Website design By BotEap.comWhy do you want this breed?
Do you have enough time and energy for a Border Collie (or a Jack Russell Terrier, Labrador Retriever, or any dog)?
Do you have a fenced garden?
Do you plan to walk the dog a mile or more every day?
Will the dog live inside or outside?
He has children? How many years?
Do you have other pets?
Do you plan to visit your vet at least once a year? etc etc etc Website design By BotEap.comChoosing the rescue dog Website design By BotEap.comMost rescue dogs have had at least one home, and sometimes many. He will usually come with baggage and behavioral issues, simply due to the fact that he’s been turned away at least once. Website design By BotEap.comSome will have been in Kennels or the Rescue Center for a considerable time, that takes its toll on dogs, especially those that are normally used to family life and constant attention. The dog may have been put there due to behavioral issues, which may include aggression, grooming, excessive barking, destructive tendencies, etc. Website design By BotEap.comRescue dogs are typically over six months old, house-trained, and mostly past the chewing-all stage, they are normally happy to be placed in a loving home. Many have been hastily torn from a loved family by some misfortune, and some will have been abused or neglected and will need much patience and tender loving care to overcome the trauma they have suffered in their short lives. Website design By BotEap.comThe initial adjustment can sometimes be difficult as the dog may need to learn to trust again, or even for the first time. Separation anxiety, fear of noises, and attempts to flee are common. But after the first few months, when the dog learns to depend on the kindness of his new owners, then the bond is forged. Website design By BotEap.comHere are some points to consider when choosing a dog. Website design By BotEap.comIf your time is limited, choose a dog that needs little grooming, minimal training, and only moderate exercise. Website design By BotEap.comIf your budget is tight, choose a small to medium dog that requires little grooming, minimal training, and less food. Website design By BotEap.comIf you are an inexperienced dog owner, do not choose a large dominant dog or a dog with a high energy level unless you are committed to six months of consistent, patient, consistent training and a dozen years of daily one-on-one walks. mile or more. Website design By BotEap.comIf you have children or seniors in your home, don’t choose a large, dominant dog that needs a lot of training and exercise or a nervous dog that is afraid of high-pitched voices and childish behavior.
Be prepared to walk the dog at least twice a day and clean up after him. Website design By BotEap.comThere may be no background or information about the dog, not even the original name or age of the dog, or even what crossbreed it actually is. Many will have been found wandering the streets cold and hungry. Whatever the case, there are some principles and rules that you must adhere to. Website design By BotEap.comRule 1. Do your homework and decide on the basic breed size and type before you start looking. Look at your work and time commitments. Can you really afford the time and expense of owning a dog? Website design By BotEap.comRule 2. If you have children under the age of five I strongly recommend against taking a rescue dog, the temperament may be unknown or masked by the kennel environment. In most cases, responsible rescue centers will not allow their dogs to be rehomed in pairs with small children. Website design By BotEap.comRule 3. Never buy on impulse or because you feel sorry for a scared and timid dog, especially if you are not an experienced and confident dog owner. Website design By BotEap.comRule 4. Talk about what you want in a dog (eg, an active dog that plays willingly, happy to take long walks, or a laid-back, homely breed of dog that will happily sit for hours by the fire and requires only mild exercise). Website design By BotEap.comRule 5. If you have decided on a pedigree, check the breed requirements and possible problems, discuss the positive and negative aspects of that breed with breeders and rescue personnel. Website design By BotEap.comRule 6. Don’t expect to walk into a rescue center and come out with a dog. They will need to verify your suitability to own a dog, including your home, yard, and work commitments; in many cases, they will visit your home and ask you to complete a lengthy questionnaire. Website design By BotEap.comRule 7. Once you have decided that you are going to return to board a dog, prepare the house and the garden well before arrival. Website design By BotEap.comRemember that your new dog will be ‘stressed out’, worried and unsure of you, your family and the new environment. You must have time to adjust. By taking care of a rescued dog, you will also come to terms with its past, and it could be unhappy. Website design By BotEap.comAmong companion animals, dogs are unmatched in their devotion, loyalty, and friendship towards humans. Anyone who has ever loved and owned a dog will confirm this. The excitement your dog shows when you get home, the tail wagging when you hear the sound of the leash, the pleasure of games and his head nestled in your lap, are just some of the rewards of having a dog. Website design By BotEap.comThat being said, owning a dog is not just a privilege, it’s a huge responsibility. These beautiful animals depend on us for, at the very least, food, water, and shelter, but they deserve so much more. If you are considering having a dog in your life, think carefully and seriously about the commitment involved in owning a dog.
Do you have enough time and energy for a Border Collie (or a Jack Russell Terrier, Labrador Retriever, or any dog)?
Do you have a fenced garden?
Do you plan to walk the dog a mile or more every day?
Will the dog live inside or outside?
He has children? How many years?
Do you have other pets?
Do you plan to visit your vet at least once a year? etc etc etc Website design By BotEap.comChoosing the rescue dog Website design By BotEap.comMost rescue dogs have had at least one home, and sometimes many. He will usually come with baggage and behavioral issues, simply due to the fact that he’s been turned away at least once. Website design By BotEap.comSome will have been in Kennels or the Rescue Center for a considerable time, that takes its toll on dogs, especially those that are normally used to family life and constant attention. The dog may have been put there due to behavioral issues, which may include aggression, grooming, excessive barking, destructive tendencies, etc. Website design By BotEap.comRescue dogs are typically over six months old, house-trained, and mostly past the chewing-all stage, they are normally happy to be placed in a loving home. Many have been hastily torn from a loved family by some misfortune, and some will have been abused or neglected and will need much patience and tender loving care to overcome the trauma they have suffered in their short lives. Website design By BotEap.comThe initial adjustment can sometimes be difficult as the dog may need to learn to trust again, or even for the first time. Separation anxiety, fear of noises, and attempts to flee are common. But after the first few months, when the dog learns to depend on the kindness of his new owners, then the bond is forged. Website design By BotEap.comHere are some points to consider when choosing a dog. Website design By BotEap.comIf your time is limited, choose a dog that needs little grooming, minimal training, and only moderate exercise. Website design By BotEap.comIf your budget is tight, choose a small to medium dog that requires little grooming, minimal training, and less food. Website design By BotEap.comIf you are an inexperienced dog owner, do not choose a large dominant dog or a dog with a high energy level unless you are committed to six months of consistent, patient, consistent training and a dozen years of daily one-on-one walks. mile or more. Website design By BotEap.comIf you have children or seniors in your home, don’t choose a large, dominant dog that needs a lot of training and exercise or a nervous dog that is afraid of high-pitched voices and childish behavior.
Be prepared to walk the dog at least twice a day and clean up after him. Website design By BotEap.comThere may be no background or information about the dog, not even the original name or age of the dog, or even what crossbreed it actually is. Many will have been found wandering the streets cold and hungry. Whatever the case, there are some principles and rules that you must adhere to. Website design By BotEap.comRule 1. Do your homework and decide on the basic breed size and type before you start looking. Look at your work and time commitments. Can you really afford the time and expense of owning a dog? Website design By BotEap.comRule 2. If you have children under the age of five I strongly recommend against taking a rescue dog, the temperament may be unknown or masked by the kennel environment. In most cases, responsible rescue centers will not allow their dogs to be rehomed in pairs with small children. Website design By BotEap.comRule 3. Never buy on impulse or because you feel sorry for a scared and timid dog, especially if you are not an experienced and confident dog owner. Website design By BotEap.comRule 4. Talk about what you want in a dog (eg, an active dog that plays willingly, happy to take long walks, or a laid-back, homely breed of dog that will happily sit for hours by the fire and requires only mild exercise). Website design By BotEap.comRule 5. If you have decided on a pedigree, check the breed requirements and possible problems, discuss the positive and negative aspects of that breed with breeders and rescue personnel. Website design By BotEap.comRule 6. Don’t expect to walk into a rescue center and come out with a dog. They will need to verify your suitability to own a dog, including your home, yard, and work commitments; in many cases, they will visit your home and ask you to complete a lengthy questionnaire. Website design By BotEap.comRule 7. Once you have decided that you are going to return to board a dog, prepare the house and the garden well before arrival. Website design By BotEap.comRemember that your new dog will be ‘stressed out’, worried and unsure of you, your family and the new environment. You must have time to adjust. By taking care of a rescued dog, you will also come to terms with its past, and it could be unhappy. Website design By BotEap.comAmong companion animals, dogs are unmatched in their devotion, loyalty, and friendship towards humans. Anyone who has ever loved and owned a dog will confirm this. The excitement your dog shows when you get home, the tail wagging when you hear the sound of the leash, the pleasure of games and his head nestled in your lap, are just some of the rewards of having a dog. Website design By BotEap.comThat being said, owning a dog is not just a privilege, it’s a huge responsibility. These beautiful animals depend on us for, at the very least, food, water, and shelter, but they deserve so much more. If you are considering having a dog in your life, think carefully and seriously about the commitment involved in owning a dog.