Rescue Dogs

1. I want to rescue a dog from the shelter, but I don't know the first step. How should I prepare?

   A: I've rescued most of my dogs from a shelter and they've been absolutely wonderful companions. When you go into a shelter, resist the temptation to take them all home. Do an overview, just to get a feel for the dogs that are there, and look into their eyes. You'll find yourself drawn to a few dogs. Make a list of them and test them each separately using the tests as discussed above. Talk to the people at the shelter and find out any history that the dog may have. If you have young children, you'll want to make sure that the dog has an affinity for children. If you have other pets in the house, you'll want to make sure that the dog is okay around other animals. This is a commitment you are making for a long period of time and loving an abandoned dog requires a different sort of commitment than raising a well-bred puppy. It requires empathy for their early stresses. When you bring them home, they'll be a little more control-oriented for the lack of control that they're used to. You'll need to define space in your house where the dog is accepted. Encourage activities that create a sense of friendship instead of a sense of confrontation.

   Most shelters have an area to interact with your potential candidate. First test for food/toy aggression, not uncommon in shelter dogs. Give the dog a toy and try to take it away calmly. If there's any sign of refusal, back off. Have a piece of cheese handy to exchange. Repeat this several times and see if the dog is more willing to share his toy. Next, give the dog a large biscuit and try to pet him while he eats it. Does he growl? Not a good sign. If you have children do not consider this dog. If you're experienced with dogs and know how to deal with this problem, mark it down and see how the dog scores in other areas. Now for the walking test. Place the dog on a leash. What happens? Does he flip out (untrained dog), pulls (head strong), heels perfectly (been trained) or just plods along (laid back). Next test his pain threshold and how he conducts himself. Squeeze the skin between his paw. Does he attack, pull away, tolerate it, or look totally confused. Next hold a treat above his head to encourage a sit. If he jumps up persistently, you're going to have a lot of work to in that department.

   Go in with a calm mind so you can be present for a dog's spirit to come out.

2. I have a dog and cat at home. How can I determine if the dog will get along with them?

   A: first test out potential candidates, determining if it gets along with other dogs in the shelter. Next ask the shelter personal if you can bring your dog for a trial visit and if they will help you with the introduction. Expect slight tension, however, if they are going for each other's throat right off the bat, hold off on getting the other dog. If the situation looks hopeful bring both dogs to an open field, place them on a long line and let them interact before bringing them home together.

   Cats are a different story. Ask the shelter personal if you could introduce the dog to a resident cat. What happens. If the dog get over stimulated and starts to bark or whine, it probably was not socialized with cats. Find a dog that is. Place the dog on a Teaching Lead or drag lead when first bringing him/her into your home. When the dog and your cat first meet stay calm. Ideally keep your new dog in a neutral room so the cat will be able to investigate or retreat at will. When the two animals are together, give your cat all the attention. When introducing your dog to other areas in the house use the Teaching Lead methodology and discourage any excitement with a quick lead tug and "ep,ep"

3. When thinking of rescuing an older dog how much should breed or mix of breeds play into my descision?

   A: If you want a pure bred dog, consider breed rescue, choosing a breed that best matches your lifestyle. For example, certain breeds deal with separation anxiety better than others. If you are work during the day this should be a priority. If you're high energy, don't pick a low energy dog or visa-versa. If you have children, especially young children, you should look for a breed that will tolerate them. Dogs such as Labs, Beagles and Golden Retrievers are great with kids.

   If it's a mix breed your after, determine the breeds that factor into your potential candidate and reflect on the personalities of each breed. Though the intensity may be diminished a Border Collie cross for example will have a strong prey drive and lots of energy. Look at all aspects of your lifestyle and make sure that you will have enough time to give the proper amount of attention to your new addition.

4. Should I bring the kids with me to pick out the dog?

   A: The best way to test whether the dog will enjoy the children is to bring them. Ideally you should pick the dog out first, and then bring the children along. Making the children part of the original casting call is not a good idea. They may fall in love with the wrong dog, one who would bite them around food or toys. Watching the dog around your kids will give you a good idea of how things will be in your house.