| So - you have been through the process of dog | | | | Make sure you let your new dog know where he |
| adoption and you've brought your new rescue | | | | should be going to the toilet, and for the first |
| dog home. What should you expect? | | | | several days make sure you let him into that |
| Stress and the rescue dog. | | | | place several times each hour. |
| Bringing a rescue dog home can be scary for you | | | | * Fear of noise: Loud or sudden noises can be a |
| and your family. You may have never had a dog | | | | problem for some rescue dogs. Both our |
| before. You don't know each other yet. You may | | | | greyhounds have been terrified of the washing |
| wonder whether you've done the right thing. | | | | machine - because in racing kennels they have |
| Don't worry. Even experienced dog owners can | | | | never come across one! Your dog will eventually |
| feel like that - I certainly do. It's not a bad thing | | | | become used to the noises of everyday life, but |
| because it means you're taking your responsibility | | | | if you have children try to ensure they don't |
| seriously. | | | | indulge in high-pitched screaming near the dog. |
| But if you're anxious about it, think how worried | | | | * Fear of people: remember that your dog may |
| your new rescue dog will be. You can't explain | | | | have been badly treated at some point and need |
| what's going on. He (or she) has no idea what | | | | to develop trust. Dogs have long memories, and |
| you're like. He may have been neglected or badly | | | | that may cause your rescue dog to be very |
| treated and wonder if he's going to get more of | | | | wary of you for a while. One rescue dog in our |
| the same. He may think this is yet another | | | | family spent the first six months hiding behind the |
| temporary home - so he's wary about becoming | | | | settee! Gentle, calm reassurance will eventually |
| too settled. And he's in a strange environment - | | | | settle him down. |
| he doesn't know the place, or the people. | | | | * Attempts to run away: you dog might try to |
| Don't make assumptions - we have had six | | | | get back to his original home. Don't take it |
| rescue dogs and none of them have been any | | | | personally - keep him on a lead until you're |
| problem after the first couple of days. Some | | | | confident he will come back to you when called. |
| (including our current Italian Spinone rescue dog) | | | | Keep some treats in your pocket when walking |
| will settle within hours. But you need to be aware | | | | (my Spinone loves cheese!) and give your dog |
| of some of the issues you may come across | | | | one when allowing him off the lead and at |
| when you finally bring your adopted dog home. | | | | intervals during your walk. |
| Symptoms of stress and how to deal with them. | | | | * Depression: this is more common in dogs than |
| * Panting: dogs pant to keep cool but it's also a | | | | you may think. Remember that the dog's |
| way of exhibiting stress. Don't worry unless it | | | | previous owners may not have wanted to give |
| carries on for more than a week, but mention it | | | | him away. One of our dog's previous owners just |
| to your vet so he can check for other underlying | | | | couldn't have her when she moved into a nursing |
| causes. Ensure your dog always has a supply of | | | | home. Both owner and dog will miss each other. |
| clean, cold water, and a quiet place of his own to | | | | Reassurance, attention, and coat-brushing are all |
| go when he's feeling stressed. | | | | antidotes to depression. Let your new dog know |
| * Whining: particularly common at night when the | | | | you love him! |
| dog is left alone in his new bed, away from | | | | This sounds like a potential nightmare. Is it worth |
| company. Remember your home is not familiar to | | | | it? |
| your dog. He has been taken away from familiar | | | | Don't let this put you off adopting a dog. Good |
| surroundings, people and possibly other animals. | | | | rescue centres will know the kinds of difficulties |
| You should expect whining at night for several | | | | you may have with an individual dog and will be |
| days. Some people like to go to their dog a | | | | able to give you advice as to how to handle it. |
| couple of times in the first couple of nights so the | | | | Taking on any animal is a big responsibility. Taking |
| dog knows you haven't left the house - but that | | | | on a rescue dog can have particular problems. |
| can become a habit hard to break. | | | | There must be allowances made, and time given |
| * Following : again a common symptom of | | | | for both the dog and your family to adjust. |
| separation anxiety. Your dog may not want to let | | | | Taking on a rescue dog means taking on his or |
| you out of his sight until he's sure you're not going | | | | her past and dealing with it. |
| to abandon him. Try not to let this drive you mad! | | | | But if you do your homework before you adopt, |
| - it will stop within a couple of weeks, as long as | | | | be honest during the process, and persevere |
| he's feeling settled. Don't reassure your dog with | | | | once you have your dog at home, you will forge |
| constant petting, but do reassure with kind words | | | | a bond with your new pet which will give you and |
| in a low, calm, quiet voice. | | | | your family many years of pleasure. |
| * Dirtying: anxious dogs will often soil in the house. | | | | |