Friday, October 10, 2014

Rescue Dogs 101: Dog Training, Health Issues & More

By Sara Reighard


It is good to hear that more and more people are bypassing breeders and opting to adopt dogs from animal shelters or a dog rescue organization. This is a great alternative especially since many homeless dogs are out there, though owners must give their rescue dog a bit of time to adjust with their newfound home and these dogs may have a few special needs.

A well-behaved, well-adjusted and healthy dog can be found through these shelters, though most rescued animals may be timid or require additional health care. To help assess your pets overall health, it is wise to plan a visit to a veterinarian as quickly as possible after adoption. Dental care might be an issue even if they are healthy and a cleaning schedule should be planned. Grooming should not be forgotten and this should be resolved quickly. Additionally, you may need to provide potty training as these pets are often confused resulting in accidents.

A newly introduced pet in the household can makes everyone feel a bit different and the same can be said with your new dog. Being rescued and taken care of by your family is a wonderful experience, though the new environment can cause huge amounts of stress for several dogs. It should be noted that not all dogs will immediately feel at home with your family. Getting used to a new environment takes time since these dogs have been ignore or mistreated from their previous owner. Being patient is necessary while practicing the use of gentle and soothing voice. The same should be done by the members of the household, encouraging them to practice is at least for the first few days or weeks.

Obedience training is a must after bringing your dog home aside from proper veterinary grooming and care. It is a common misconception that such training will intimidate or scare a rescue dog though this is not true. Owners and their dogs benefit from obedience training as it creates a stronger bond between them. Dogs love the extra attention and the training process allows them to do so. Praises are also given during the training making your dog's confidence boosted. Additionally, you will learn more about each other in the process.

Just like a puppy, a rescue dog will not be familiar with the rules of your home and this is why obedience training is a must. With proper training, your dog can learn to behave and reduce common behavior issues such as chewing, barking, scratching, darting away, dragging a leash rather than walking and not coming on command. Your dogs also will learn boundaries in your home, yard or public places. This keeps them safer and secured, reducing the risk of them running away and making them a well-behaved companion.

It does take time to accomplish dog obedience training, and you should avoid programs that promise perfect obedience in a matter of days or just one week. Dog training typically takes about a month to six weeks to accomplish if you want permanent results. For those seeking dog training in Seattle, contact Seattle Family Dog Training. These expert dog trainers can show you how to train your dog easily and better understand your pet's unique personality.




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