| isit the nearby animal shelters and see all of those | | | | trust and they may exhibit strong territorial |
| adorable canines with the puppy dog eyes and | | | | behaviors about food that can create problems. |
| pleading expressions and what can you do? | | | | They can also be wary of any strangers that try |
| Maybe you only came to volunteer or leave | | | | to approach them. It is quite common to see |
| some dog toys for the animals there, but once | | | | these animals growl, bark and snap because of |
| there you are hooked like the proverbial fish. | | | | their fear and prior conditioning. This is when dog |
| Well, many people can’t say | | | | toys come in handy, a variety of these may be |
| “No” and they find that they are | | | | offered before a dog has a positive response. |
| soon leading a new pet home before they realize | | | | When a reaction is noted to a particular item, it |
| what’s happened. I certainly don’t | | | | will be used to facilitate the training program by |
| blame them because I am a pushover for those | | | | helping to gain the dog’s trust and |
| rescue animals that long for a forever home and | | | | interest. |
| family of their own. Although I began as a part | | | | If you are fostering one or more of the rescue |
| time volunteer at a local animal rescue shelter, it | | | | dogs to help their socialization process you should |
| didn’t take me long to fall in love with | | | | be aware that their jittery nerves avoidance of |
| each animal I came in contact with. | | | | people stems from many negative incidents in |
| In fact, my inability to refuse the hound-dog looks | | | | their past. Not raising your voice and offering |
| on those sweet pet faces placed my name at | | | | them praise for the desired behavior will help calm |
| the top of many foster, rescues, adopt and | | | | them. Using small treats and an assortment of |
| shelter lists and has been the driving force to my | | | | dog toys will give these animals a sense of |
| current circus of pets including 4 dogs and 5 cats. | | | | security and boost their confidence. For many |
| Between the dog toys, pet food and animal | | | | lonely and nervous pooches, these dog toys will |
| treats in my shopping cart there is often little | | | | become their security blanket. |
| room for my own grocery needs. | | | | Luckily, there are devoted handlers, trainers, and |
| One thing that I am greatly aware of is the | | | | volunteers who will make the effort to show |
| behavior problems that can occur with rescue | | | | these rescue animals love and kindness. These |
| animals. The dogs that have been treated badly, | | | | people will commit long hours to socialization and |
| neglected, or abused can have issues with | | | | rehab sessions that will change the way these |
| socializing that need to be handled by someone | | | | dogs think and behave. The dogs are able to |
| experienced with this type of training. For many | | | | gradually adapt and learn good behavior that |
| of these animals re-socialization is mandatory | | | | makes them ideal adoption candidates. When their |
| before they are able to be offered for adoption. | | | | new family is ready to take them home the dog |
| Dog toys are a favorite way for many trainers | | | | usually insists on taking his beloved, and well loved, |
| to make a connection to these frightened animals. | | | | dog toys along. |
| Rescue dogs have often lost their innate sense of | | | | |