Helping Your Rescue Dog Adjust

I was rescued from a reservation with my sister. I was starving and probably had to compete for limited food in the desert. Thus, I came into my new home guarding food from the other dogs. I also pulled things off the counters and bookshelves and tore up anything I could find, especially paper.

Rescue dogs do not come into their new homes with the clean slate that many puppies do, so there may be an adjustment period. Here are some suggestions for making that adjustment as smooth as possible:

• Restrict freedom: Many times, humans have the instinct to protect their new dog because he or she may have had a tough life. They think that rules seem cruel. But rules make your dog feel safe. And they keep him from making mistakes that will make you angry. Use a crate when you aren't home. Or limit the rooms in which your dog is allowed. And be sure to keep your valuable out of reach! Just like your puppy has to earn its house freedom, so does your rescue dog. She will appreciate it. Really.
• Don't Make Assumptions: Dogs do not generalize like humans, so don't assume that we are potty-trained just because the foster parent says so. Your house is still new, so take your dog outside a few times and reward for eliminating in the right places. If your dog was previously potty-trained, you will only have to do it a few times. Some dogs are punished for going in the house and may be afraid to go in front of you. This might cause them to sneak off and go in hidden places. Don't give your dog the freedom to do that. For the first few days, he should always be in your sight. Once he realizes that going to the bathroom outside earns rewards, it will be easier.
• Be patient. Be consistent: Your new dog doesn't know the rules of your new home, so don't get too angry when she breaks one. But set rules and be consistent. If you don't want your dog on the furniture, don't allow her on for the first few days. If you want her to sit for greetings, start that training right away. 
• Leave Your Dog Alone: Many humans think they should spend every second with their new dog so he feels comfortable. However, you eventually have to go back to work, and your dog can't understand why you are suddenly gone. When you first get your dog, plan to spend an hour away from home or a couple of hours away from home each day, so he gets used to having you gone.
• But Keep an Eye on Her: However, don't leave your dog out in the yard alone. We can escape. And if your dog doesn't know the neighborhood or is frightened, she may take off and not be able to find her way back. When you walk your dog the first few days, make sure the equipment is fit properly and allow her to smell a lot, so she knows how to find her way back in case she does get lost.
• Don't Push Your Dog: Don't have a bunch of people over to welcome your dog. You don't know his fears. Take it slow with socializing. Don't let your dog greet strangers on the street until you know how he will react. Let him meet your friends slowly. Then, he can meet strangers -- if he wants to. I don't like all dogs, and I get so excited meeting people that I sometimes jump at faces. My mom is careful with who I greet, and that's OK. Your dog can be perfectly happy and healthy not greeting every person or dog on the street. In fact, he might just prefer that!
• Set Aside Alone Time: If you have other dogs, make sure your new dog gets alone time with you every day. This can be going on walks alone or having some individual training time. This will teach your dog to look to you for guidance rather than the other dogs. You want your dog bonded with YOU!
• Keep Them Calm: There are a couple of great products that can help reduce stress in your dogs: DAP diffusers, which release calming pheromones that we can't smell but can calm your dogs (I'm told these helped my predecessor Muggsy a lot), and Thundershirts, which wrap your dog and provide constant pressure to reduce stress. These will help reduce the stress of being in a new environment so your dog begins to feel comfortable in his new home.

New rescue dogs can be a great gift. But they also may take a little work. Take a deep breath. It's worth it. Take them to a training class or call a trainer if you think you need a little more help. But stick with it. It's worth it. Trust me. :)

Love, Bammie

Bammie's Training Challenge: Huzzah Moment

The training challenge got thrown off by my mom's trip to Boulder, but she still practices with me on all of my walks and has had visitors over to the house to test my polite -- you know, all the hard stuff. My sit stays on my bed may not be improving, but my mom is so busy that she had to prioritize her training goals.

Today, on my walk, I walked past two cats and two dogs. I did get reactive to one cat, but my mom just kept walking and asked me to "look" every few steps. When I finally did calm down enough to look at her, I was still rewarded with a treat. I did much better with the other cat and the first dog. I didn't bark at all, though I did pull toward the dog a little when he was very close to me. Mom rewarded every chance she could, so I finally rewarded her with an awesome training moment. When we saw the second dog, I looked at her twice on my own without a cue! When my mom is training clients, this is something she always tells them to look for and reward a bunch. Some owners think it's important to give a dog a command before giving a reward, but my mom says that good behavior always deserves reward. She wants me to make good choices on my own. Looking away from the dog on my own is the best behavior ever, she says, especially since I have had trouble with that when I am excited.

I also saw several people, and I even sat for one of them to pet me. I also practiced that this weekend with some of my mom's friends. I still have to be on a leash, but I am calming down much more quickly. I only did one leaping face kiss, which is my special move. I'm really excited to see my grandma tomorrow and show her that I'm a much better greeter than last time!

I hope your training is going as well as mine. Love, Bammie

Vets Rule!

This post is not for you owners, but for your dogs! Make them read this. I see a huge problem in the dog world, and it needs to be solved!

Dogs: Why do you hate the vet? This place is freaking awesome! You walk in, and immediately, everyone starts saying how cute you are. People pet you. Other dogs stare at you with jealousy in their eyes (OK, that's mainly specific to when I enter since I'm so awesome, but you get the idea). Then, you go back to this room, you may have to do one or two uncomfortable things that only last a second and then you leave. And guess what happens: Mom buys you a hamburger or chicken sandwich. Seriously! It's awesome!

What? You don't get a hamburger? OK, put your owner back on the blog now.

Hi, owners! Let me get this straight. You don't take your dog out for a hamburger after the vet? What about his favorite treats? Do you bring those? Come on now. How do you expect your dog to love the vet if you don't make it fun for him/her?

If you have a dog who is afraid of the vet, don't forget to take your dog to the vet occasionally where he or she just walks in and gets to experience all the good parts (vet techs saying how cute she is, treats) and then leave. Maybe she stands on the scale. But that's it. Make the vet a place he/she starts looking forward to!

If your vet doesn't encourage this practice, you may be at the wrong place. Be sure that both you and your dog feel comfortable with your vet. I mean, you want someone you can trust, just like with your own doctors.

It's so easy to make the vet a fun place to go. Give it a try. It will certainly make your lives easier when you don't have to carry your shaking dog into a place they clearly fear. Training should be fun. Make the vet fun too.

Love, Chubbs