Patience and dedication are a must when training a dog. A rescued dog will require double the patience and dedication to achieve the desired results. It’s a lot of work, but in the end it will be worth the effort.
Spaying and neutering has been common practice for a few decades, unplanned births continue to occur. As a result of this there are just not enough homes for all of the puppies that are born. When we add the number of dogs that get lost or wander away, rescue missions and shelters everywhere are filled to capacity. The sad truth is that a large number of these dogs end up euthanized.
For a some lucky dogs, there is a second chance. They could be adopted from shelters or missions or taken in off of the street and into the care of a willing family. However, these generous souls often find themselves at a loss with their new companion.
Rescued dogs are often in poor shape when they are brought in to a shelter. They often have a history of abuse or neglect and sometimes lived in horrendous conditions. And in some circumstances dogs are released into the wild to take care of themselves.
A dog’s nature is to be a pack animal. Even wild dogs don’t do well on their own. Domesticated dogs are used to human and animal interaction so do poorly when released to the wild. Wild dogs such as these are usually fearful and distrustful of humans, but with proper training they can learn to overcome these traits.
A rescued dog will need a full examination by a vet as the first step in the rehabilitation process. 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. The information you gather about the animal’s medical history, past abuse or general temperament will aide you in training.
Slow and steady is the order of the day when establishing trust with the dog. Do not force yourself on the dog. They will need to learn that they can trust you before they seek you out. The use of treats is a good way to build trust. Place a treat on the floor and back away a few steps. Do not stare directly at the dog. When the dog takes the treat, praise him enthusiastically.
It is not uncommon for some rescue animals to initially seek out physical contact . Some can take weeks or more. 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. Dogs that tend to be aggressive may resist but a passive, fearful dog may accept . Neither behavior is good. Forcing an aggressive dog into a submissive position is done under normal training. A rescued dog will not respond well to this. Take your time and establish trust. Make sure that a fearful dog understands that being on its back is not a punishment by given it a belly rub and talking in a calm voice.
In the case of a rescued dog training can be slow and difficult. The challenge often comes from their age, temperament and history. Hang in there. The dog will reward you for your perseverance.
Feeling sorry for the dog can actually do more harm than good. This is counter-productive and will only hinder the training. You will want to be loving and caring when appropriate but still be in control. Be a pack leader and let the dog know that you are in charge.
Your rescued dog will reward you with unconditional love.
Stefan Hyross writes and provides information about dogs and puppies. Read about dog behavior problems and learn how to correct them. Feel free to visit the site for puppy potty training techniques and tips for you and your dog.
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