Rescue Dog Challenges and Rewards

It's not unusual for there to be an adjustment period where both you and your new companion are getting used to each other. We want people who will make a commitment to work through any issues that may arise.

Be patient with your new Pet, remember that he wants only your love and to please you. Hitting or yelling at him is not appropriate and is actually counterproductive. Positive reinforcement through treats, patience and rewards is the best way to go.

For more information or help, please contact us at 972-564-9134 or email us at ffnt2002@hotmail.com

PREPARE THE WAY!

Prepare the things your dog will need in advance. You'll need a collar and leash, food and water bowls, food, and, of course, some toys. And don't forget to order an identification tag right away.

ACCIDENTS

Expect them. Most pets, when they're uprooted and moved, need some time to adjust, and it's not wise to let a pet that's new to any home have free run of that home initially. This is one sure way to set you and your new pet up for failure. It is way too much excitement and overstimulation for them and they are bound to have accidents, which, if handled improperly, lead to more mistakes from increased anxiety. It can turn into a vicious circle and become self-perpetuating.

WELCOME HOME

Try to arrange the arrival of your new dog for a weekend or when you can be home for a few days. Get to know each other and spend some quality time together. Don't forget the jealousy factor -- make sure you don't neglect other pets and people in your household!

DOG PROOF YOUR HOME

When you bring your new Pet into your home, you must have already thought through how to safely and effectively confine the dog to either a gated kitchen, a small powder room, a laundry room or a crate. We prefer to start off with a crate with a comfy bed, some toys and a small amount of water.

As the dog proves he is capable of not having accidents in small locations, the area where you leave the pet can be enlarged gradually.

The next logical step is a small powder room or laundry room and then a gated kitchen. If after each graduation the dog is trustworthy, you can leave him in the entire house, but you need to watch him. If you miss catching the dog in the act of relieving himself/herself in your house, you've missed a golden opportunity and set a very bad precedent. If you scold your dog AFTER THE FACT, the dog will appear guilty, but won't really know what you're raving about... only that Mom or Dad have lost it and he/she must be to blame. Dog Thinks: "Maybe if I show how submissive I am, they will be pleased with me and stop being upset." Human Thinks: "Look at him, he KNOWS what he did behind the sofa was BAD!! BAD DOG, BAD DOG!" This sets up an anxiety loop that's hard to break.

Bottom line: If the dog had an accident, it was your fault for not watching him and/or getting him out on time. Of course, this eventually won't be necessary once the dog is on a schedule, used to you and your home, and has gone through the "graduation" process.

Remember to use frequently scheduled outings and well timed treats to reinforce the good behaviors. This all takes time and patience. If you don't want to put that kind of time in, we suggest you DO NOT consider adopting or getting a dog at all.

HOUSE RULES
Work out your dog-care regimen in advance among the human members of your household. Who will walk the dog first thing in the morning? Who will feed her at night? Will Fifi be allowed on the couch, or won't she? Where will she sleep at night? Are there any rooms in the house that are off-limits?

CRATING

A crate may look to you like the canine equivalent of a jail cell, but to your dog, who instinctively likes to den, it's a room of his own. It makes housetraining and obedience-training easier and saves your dog from the headache of being yelled at unnecessarily for problem behavior. The crate should not contain wire where his collar or paws can get caught, and should be roomy enough to allow your dog to stand up, turn around, and sit comfortably in normal posture.

BARKING
Barking is a dog’s natural reaction to changes in his environment. Ideally, he should be allowed to indulge himself as long as he’s reasonable. However, living in an apartment, it's not always possible to allow your dog to bark to his heart's content and if your dog annoys you or the neighbors with his noise-making, there are some steps you can take to minimize the nuisance.

Some dogs bark at everything they see and hear, a characteristic that can drive you slowly insane in an apartment. Some dogs will stop barking if they cannot hear or see the interlopers. So, if your dog is an in-the-house noisemaker, put her in the kitchen or laundry room with a crate or bed, away from windows, common walls, and hallways, and turn on a radio or TV before leaving the house. I like to leave Animal Planet or Comedy Central on. Classical music stations may work best; they have fewer disruptions by commercials with doorbells and other noises that could trigger barking. Confine her in the room with baby gates in the doorways, not by closing doors, so she doesn’t panic.

Training is the best way to correct unacceptable behavior, but other methods are available. Please ask us and we can recommend a trainer that's right for you.

Faced with seemingly unsolvable problems and threats of lawsuits or court action, owners have used anti-bark collars. We've found them to be quite effective with training nuisance barkers.

FEEDING

Changing food can be hard on your new Pet’s stomach and may cause discomfort and diarrhea. We recommend you keep them on the food they are currently eating. Ask your dog’s foster parent what brand they feed your new Pet. 

It is normal during the adjustment period for your new pet to not eat much or eat at all for the first 2-3 days because of the stress of this huge change.  This is nothing to be too worried about and he/she should be eating better in no time.  If you are concerned for your pet you can put them on a "bland" diet.  This special diet is easy on their stomach and is good during this high stress period.  All you have to do is boil some chicken with some brown rice or potatoes, and cottage cheese and they will gobble it all up!  After a day or two start mixing regular dog food back in, each day increasing the amount of dog food and lowering the amount of cooked food.

HEALTH CARE
If you already have dogs or cats at home, make sure they are up-to-date on their shots and in good general health before introducing your new pet dog.

Take your new dog to the veterinarian within a week after adoption. There, he will receive a health check.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
Dogs need an active life. That means you should plan plenty of exercise and game time for your pet. Enjoy jogging or Frisbee? You can bet your dog will, too. If running around the park is too energetic for your taste, try throwing a ball or a stick, or just going for a long walk together. When you take a drive in the country or visit family and friends, bring your dog and a leash along.

A FRIEND FOR LIFE
Finally, be reasonable in your expectations. Life with you is a different experience for your new companion, so give him time to adjust. You'll soon find out that you've made a friend for life. No one will ever greet you with as much enthusiasm or provide you with as much unconditional love and loyalty as your dog. Be patient and you will be rewarded a thousand times over.