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Rescue Dogs Rule: Advice for Your Rescue Dog

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Rescue Dogs Rule

Advice, products and other resources for rescue dogs and their people.

Your New Rescue Dog: Five Things to Do In Your First Week

How exciting! You've just adopted a dog - now what? Here are five things that you should do in your first week.
  1. Visit your veterinarian: This will give your dog a chance to get to know her doctor before all of the shots and other nastiness that a vet visit can involve. Also, it will allow you to make sure that your pet is in good health or to spot problems early.
  2. Go for a walk: Walking with your dog is one of the best ways to get to know her. If your dog isn't used to walking on a leash, this can be a bit frustrating, but it's important to not only assess how your dog walks on a leash, but also how your dog reacts to the people and animals you meet along the way.
  3. Sign up for training classes: Find out from your animal rescue group, veterinarian or even your local pet store who offers good, basic obedience classes in your area. This is a great opportunity to not only train your new dog in basic commands, but also to spend quality time.
  4. Set a schedule: Dogs thrive on structure. Put together a plan of when you will walk and feed your dog. Your dog should be allowed to "do his business" several times a day, but you should schedule approximate set times for exercise and feeding.
  5. Keep thing simple: Your's excited about your new dog and you want everyone to meet her, but the first few days may not be the best time to have everyone you've ever met meet. It is okay to have a few family or friends over, but try to maintain a relatively calm environment while your new dog gets to know her new home and family.

Five People Every Dog Owner Needs in Their Life

They say it takes a village to raise a child - raising a dog is no different. Here are five people that every dog owner should have in his or her life:
  1. A Veterinarian: Your dog's primary care provider, the veterinarian is a resource not just for health care, but for behavioral issues as well.
  2. A Dog Trainer: Every dog should go to obedience class. Heck, I adopted a retired seeing eye dog and took him. Obedience classes give you an opportunity to bond with your dog. Look for a trainer whose philosophy of dog training coincides with your own.
  3. A Groomer: There is no such thing as a maintenance free dog. Even a short haired dog can use an annual or semi-annual professional wash. Groomers not only bathe your dog, they brush them (reducing shedding), clean their ears and express their anal glands - now face it, that's a job best left to a professional!
  4. A Kennel Owner: As much as you love your dog, they aren't going to let him on a cruise ship. There will be times that you will need to leave your best friend in a safe, secure place. Try to find a good kennel before you really need one and make your reservations early (preferably when you make your own!)
  5. A Dog Walker: If you live close to home and are able to stop by during the day, you may not need the services of a dog walker, but it is still good to have the name of one who is available in a pinch. In cases where you can't leave work during the day, it is best to have someone come by and let your dog out at least once.

Let Everyone Know You Love Your Rescue Dog

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  • alslad Aug 10, 2008 @ 2:27 am | delete
    Welcome to the Gone to The Dogs group. This lens contains some helpful information for anyone considering a rescue dog.
    Darren
    www.squidoo.com/groups/gone-to-the-dogs
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Got Dog Problems?

Try a behaviorist

Dog behaviorists help you in your home to correct problems with your dog. These specially trained professionals can be instrumental in helping you to solve your worst dog problems.

A good resource regarding finding and selecting a behaviorist is available at The Blog of Dog: http://theblogofdog.com/kook-or-savior-how-to-find-a-good-dog-behaviorist/

Resources for Rescue Dogs

Solve Problems, Find Great Stuff, Have Fun

A list of resources - both information and products for dog owners, especially owners of rescue dogs.
Dog Behavior Tip Sheets | The Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States had a great collection of tip sheets for all sorts of problems that haunt typical dog owners, from house-training to fearfulness. Check it out.
AFRP Financial Assistance for Pets
A great resource for those who cannot meet the financial needs of their dogs.

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RescueDogsRule

A long time fosterer of homeless dogs and the proud Mom to my very own rescue dog, I have helped dozens of families to start out on the right foot wi... more »

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