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PEOPLE AND DOGS SOCIETYThe Code of Caring - free advice for dog owners
What is a Rescue Dog? 1. If you’re sure a dog is the pet for you, you may be thinking about taking on a rescue dog. This isn’t a dog who has dragged someone out of a frozen pond or burning building, but one that has had another owner before you. They are also sometimes called rescued dogs, or re-homed dogs. 2. Saying a dog has been "rescued" may sound as if he has been cruelly treated, but dogs are also re-homed for other reasons. Sometimes the reason lies with the dog’s original owner (allergies, lack of commitment or a change in personal circumstances) but sometimes it lies with the dog himself (behaviour problems like running off, chewing or barking). 3. Rescue dogs may come to you directly from their previous owner, from Dog Wardens or a Rescue Society. They may be advertised in shops and newspapers, or you can ask around dog owners and Vets to find a reliable local Rescue Society with a good reputation. Dog Wardens can be contacted through your council, and a list of national Breed Rescue Societies is available from the Kennel Club. 4. Puppies are sometimes available in Rescue Societies, but usually most of the dogs looking for new homes are adult. The advantages and disadvantages of a Rescue Dog5. An adult dog who is past the overly enthusiastic, tear-away puppy stage may be easier for you and your family to live with! His looks, personality and size are known and he may be wholly or partly trained. 6. You may know about any problems he has and be prepared to deal with them, though sometimes this can be more difficult than you expected. On the other hand, you may know nothing at all about him or his last owners may not have been honest about their reasons for parting with him. Difficult or unusual behaviour from his past may arise when you least expect it. 7. Giving a home to an unwanted dog can be emotionally, physically and financially challenging! It can also be very rewarding and the home you offer may help to convert a canine delinquent into the perfect pet! What should I know before I offer a dog a home?8. Find out whatever you can; how many previous homes has he had? why did he leave them? why is he being re-homed now? ("genuine reason for sale" tells you nothing!) how old is he? is he house trained? is he used to car travel, children or other pets? is he neutered, wormed or inoculated? does he have on-going health or behaviour problems? Some of this information depends on the honesty or availability of his previous owners, but a reputable Rescue Society should be able to tell you something based on their own experience and assessment of him. 9. Try to meet a dog more than once before adopting him. Take him for a walk since he may react differently away from familiar surroundings. Approaching a Rescue Society 10. Approaching a Rescue Society is like joining a dating agency - the more specific you are, the more difficult it is to find what you are looking for. You are bound to have some thoughts about your ideal dog, but be prepared to be flexible on some points or to wait until he comes along.11. Expect to be given an application form or interview asking personal questions about your family, work and home. Don’t be offended - this is to make sure you and the dog you adopt are suited to one another. 12. Expect to be visited at home before and possibly after adopting a dog. 13. Expect to pay a fee. This helps to cover the Rescue Society’s expenses such as food and veterinary attention for the dogs under their care. It sometimes also covers neutering and inoculations, although you may be expected to arrange this yourself after you have adopted a dog. 14. Most pedigree Rescue dogs come without registration or other papers, and you may have to sign an agreement not to breed from them. 15. Wait until the right dog comes along. If you have any doubts that this is the dog for you, it isn’t. A reputable Rescue Society won’t pressure you into adopting a dog that doesn’t "feel right". 16. If you find that for any reason you cannot keep the dog, most Rescue Societies ask you to return it to them rather than re-homing it yourself. Living with your Rescue dog 17. Some Rescue dogs are insecure at first and may like to sleep with an old (worn and unwashed) jumper of yours, or some cuddly toys.18. It’s better if the house rules don’t keep changing. Establish them kindly but consistently from day on and don’t allow things "just for now". 19. Dogs who have been kept in kennels a long time may experience problems with housetraining. Treat this and other behaviour problems from his past sympathetically but firmly - and immediately. You cannot "make up to him" for previous bad treatment by allowing him to run riot in your home. Positive, reward based training, which encourages him to want to please you, is the most reliable and a training programme using these principals can be found on our advice sheet. 20. A dog which has been badly treated may have short or long term health problems, however good the care from the Rescue Society. You may need to work closely with a Vet, so make sure you register with one as soon as possible. Veterinary insurance may be advisable immediately as it maybe difficult to get if he develops long term problems later. 21. Your dog may seem to settle down with no difficulties, but then develop unexpected behaviour problems some time later. See this as part of his adaptation to his new life rather than a personal failure or rejection. Continue your usual training routine and seek advice from your Rescue Society, Canine Advice Life Line or dog training club if you need extra help or support. A link to the Canine Advice Can be Found on the links page. This advice is sponsored by Burnley Dog Training Centre.
"WORKING WITH PEOPLE TO HELP ANIMALS" "Friends of the animals" covers the whole of the West Midlands, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Ringwood and surrounding areas. The charity specialises in 'preventative work' and is pleased to offer financial help towards the cost of spaying / neutering cats and dogs.
E-mail us - info@SARDA.org.uk The Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA) Southern Scotland is a non profit making, voluntary organisation to help the Police and Mountain Rescue Teams search for missing people.
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Contact : clive@paw-mark.co.uk |
