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How To Tailor Your Training To A Rescued Dog

26 10:43:54

Training a dog takes patience and dedication. To achieve the desired results in rescued dog will take double the dedication and patience. All of the hard work will be rewarded in the end.

Unplanned litters continue to be common even though the practice of spaying and neutering has been around for decades. The result is that the number of puppies born far outnumber the number of available homes. 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.

A second chance awaits a lucky few. Some will be adopted into the care of a loving family or rescued from the street. However, these generous souls often find themselves at a loss with their new companion.

By the time dogs find their way to a shelter they are usually in poor shape. Horrible living conditions, abuse and neglect are often a part of their history. Sometimes these dogs can even be let go into the wild and they will have to fend for themselves.

A dog's nature is to be a pack animal. Wild dogs generally do poorly on their own. Released domesticated dogs do very poorly in the wild, without any animal or human interaction. 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 may be a tall order, but whenever possible try to get the dog's history. The information you gather about the animal's medical history, past abuse or general temperament will aide you in training.

It is important to establish trust with a rescued dog slowly. It is important not to force yourself on the dog. They will need to learn that they can trust you before they seek you out. Many dogs are food driven so using treats to build trust can help. Place a treat on the floor and back away a few steps. Avoid direct eye contact. Once the dog takes the food make sure they get enthusiastic praise.

A few dogs that are rescued look for physical interaction from the beginning. 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. You can expect that the dog will either resist if they tend to be aggressive or a fearful dog will accept. Aggression or fearful responses are not desirable. An aggressive dog would be forced into submission under normal training. This technique typically does not work for rescued dogs. Remember to take your time when establishing trust. By speaking in a soft and calm tone of voice and gently rubbing the belly a fearful dog will know that being on its back is a positive experience and not a punishment.

In the case of a rescued dog training can be slow and difficult. The challenge often comes from their age, temperament and history. You can do it . The dog will reward you for your perseverance.

Avoid at all cost feeling sorry for the dog. It can make the training even more difficult. Be in control but also offer love and caring to them. You must establish your position as a leader and let the rescued dog understand that you are the alpha of the pack.

It's a lot of sweet and hard work but you will have a companion for life.