Training a dog takes patience and dedication. To achieve the desired results in rescued dog will take double the dedication and patience. However, the rewards will be worth the effort.
Unplanned litters continue to be common even though the practice of spaying and neutering has been around for decades. The result is that the number of puppies born far outnumber the number of available homes. And if you combine this with dogs that are lost or have runaway, the animal shelters are spilling over. For many of these dogs being euthanized will be the sad reality.
A second chance awaits a lucky few. They are either found on the street or adopted from a shelter and brought home to compassionate and caring family willing to give them a better life. But to the inexperienced dog owner it can be a mystery as to how best to proceed.
Rescued dogs are often in poor shape when they are brought in to a shelter. Horrible living conditions, abuse and neglect are often a part of their history. And in some circumstances dogs are released into the wild to take care of themselves.
Dogs are pack animals. Even wild dogs don’t do well on their own. Released domesticated dogs do very poorly in the wild, without any animal or human interaction. Wild dogs such as these are usually fearful and distrustful of humans, but with proper training they can learn to overcome these traits.
The first thing you should do after you have rescued a dog is to get a full health examination. A dog will not be able to respond positively to any training if it is in pain or sick. Take the time to restore the dog’s health and bring it back to a healthy weight.
It can be difficult to find out the history of the dog but any information can be of use. Your training efforts will be helped if you have information on the dog’s past abuse or medical history.
Take your time when trying to gain the dog’s trust. It is important not to force yourself on the dog. They will need to learn that they can trust you before they seek you out. Many dogs are food driven so using treats to build trust can help. After placing some food on the floor you can back up a bit. Avoid direct eye contact. It is important to praise them once they take the treat.
It is not uncommon for some rescue animals to initially seek out physical contact . Many others will take longer. But once you have got it you may want to attempt to gently lay the dog on its back and put your hands on its chest. You can expect that the dog will either resist if they tend to be aggressive or a fearful dog will accept. Neither aggression nor fear is good. Forcing an aggressive dog into a submissive position is done under normal training. A rescued dog will not respond well to this. Establishing trust will take time. By speaking in a soft and calm tone of voice and gently rubbing the belly a fearful dog will know that being on its back is a positive experience and not a punishment.
Be patient as it is often difficult and slow to train a rescued dog. A rescued dog is often a mix, older and has a stubborn temperament which adds to the challenge of training. You can do it . You will be rewarded in the end.
Don’t feel sorry for the dog. Training can be hindered by doing this. You will want to be loving and caring when appropriate but still be in control. You must establish your position as a leader and let the rescued dog understand that you are the alpha of the pack.
Your rescued dog will reward you with unconditional love.
Stefan Hyross writes and provides information about dogs and puppies. Learn about dog behavior problems and how to solve them. Visit the site to discover proven puppy potty training methods and other tips and trick for you and your pooch.