Taking In A Rescue Dog? Tips For You

When you have decided to take in a rescue dog, there are many factors that you will need to consider in the process. However, if you have never had a rescue animal before, you may be unsure as to what to do to ensure that your rescue dog is healthy and happy as they transition into your home and family. Get to know some of the factors to consider and steps to take for your rescue dog so that you can be sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Take Them For A Pet Checkup

Pet checkups are essentially visits to the veterinarian's office to examine your dog, get their weight, and make sure that all of their vaccinations are up to date. This is essentially the pet equivalent of a well child checkup.

Soon after you adopt your rescue dog, within the first few days or so, you will want to take them to the vet for such a checkup. The veterinarian can give you an idea of their overall health and address any concerns that you may have about their health as well. This will give you peace of mind going forward with your new dog and ensure that their health is well taken care of from the beginning.

Consider Taking Them To A Training Class

Many (though not all) rescue dogs may exhibit odd behaviors or might not know basic commands and cues to take from you. This can be very frustrating for both you and your dog as you try to interact and communicate with one another. A training class can help to take some of the pressure off of you.

Working with a professional dog trainer will help you to get your dog to perform the basic commands you need them to understand when you are interacting with them on a daily basis. Advanced training classes can follow this initial one if you want your dog to be more strictly trained and to follow more complicated commands and cues. However, for most rescue dogs, a basic training class with help to iron out the kinks in your relationship with your new dog and get you on the right track with them.

If your rescue dog has specific odd behaviors such as hoarding, food aggression, nervousness, or fear-related issues, you may need a special training class that involves just you, your dog, and the trainer or dog behavior specialist (rather than a standard group class). These specific behaviors are likely tied to past abuse and traumas and may take specialized techniques and methods to cope with and overcome.

With these tips in mind, integrating your new rescue dog into your home will be a bit easier going forward. Just remember to have patience and always consult with your veterinarian and trainer when you are unsure of how to proceed.