Friday, March 14, 2014

Caring For & Training A Rescue Dog

By Garrett McMahan


There are millions of animals in shelters across the United States, and rescuing one of these wonderful creatures is an excellent option if you are looking to add a furry friend to your family. However, sometimes it can be difficult for these dogs to adjust to their new homes, and here are a few ways to help make the transition easier.

Sometimes a dog will be a completely healthy, well-maintained and well-adjusted animal right from the start, but often these animals are quite timid, and sometimes they even need some medical assistance, grooming and dental care right away. Housebreaking is another issue that you need to address quickly. Fortunately, older dogs tend to be a bit easier to housebreak than puppies, so this process should be fairly quick once you have established a clear routine.

When you add a dog to the family, this is a big change for you, your spouse and the kids, but it's much more stressful for your new dog. They want a loving, happy home to be sure, but these unfamiliar surroundings can be a little scary and they just don't know you at all. So don't expect your new pal to instantly bond with you and your family. Some dogs do bond very quickly, but others need a chance to warm up to everyone and get to know everyone's personalities. Encourage everyone one in the home to be as gentle and quiet as possible in those first few days to ease the transition. Remember, even if they came from an amazing shelter, they still might have been the victim of abuse by a previous owner and this can make a dog timid and wary of new people.

One of the best ways to increase the bond between you and your new dog is through obedience training. This is an excellent way for a dog to learn what you expect from them, and it can eliminate many problem behaviors, such as running away, scratching, excessive barking, jumping and chewing. A well-trained dog is a happier dog because the owner is happier, too. Dogs love to please, and what would please an owner more than a terrific dog that obeys commands and displays no irksome behaviors?

In addition, the bond between the two of you will grow because you will be spending extra time together, learning obedience skills. You will gain a better, deeper understanding of your new friend's temperament and needs. In turn, you will soon have a dog that can be taken just about anywhere safely. This is a process that can take several weeks to accomplish, so be wary of any dog training system that promises overnight success or claims that with one simple command your dog instantly will obey.

Consider opting for a trusted program such as The Dog's Way, which is a DVD dog training program that teaches many basic skills including walking on a loose leash, sitting, staying, coming when called, staying quiet and understanding boundaries. In addition, these dog training videos with help you learn how to train a dog and keep them from barking at inappropriate times, chewing up your personal items and furnishings and jumping up on your guests, as well as a few other nuisance behaviors. In addition, with dog training DVDS, you have all the convenience of dog home training, which means you easily can fit training into your schedule.




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