Thread: thinking of adopting a rescue dog

Oh and wait till she takes over your bed.

Re name

Nor sure how much dogs can understand words, so re-using old name Summer may not be an issue

But they do pick up your non verbal communication.

If shes anxious by nature and has just been weaned, desexed and re-homed, then a reassuring demeanour from you will be quite important.

Keep your voice tone positive reassuring and smooth.
Any discipline required may only require a low pitched "growl". Watch the tail and ears. If they show submission to a reprimand then thats as far as you go. Follow quickly with some positive reinforcement as soon as warranted.

They dont understand words! Hence to have have best effect all positive and negative reinforcement needs to be immaediately and consistent.

They do like strong leadership. Be firm.

Most of all; it's a relationship. Learn to read dog body language and the rest will flow.

Originally Posted by andrew.morris1

Re name

Nor sure how much dogs can understand words, so re-using old name Summer may not be an issue

But they do pick up your non verbal communication.

If shes anxious by nature and has just been weaned, desexed and re-homed, then a reassuring demeanour from you will be quite important.

Keep your voice tone positive reassuring and smooth.
Any discipline required may only require a low pitched "growl". Watch the tail and ears. If they show submission to a reprimand then thats as far as you go. Follow quickly with some positive reinforcement as soon as warranted.

They dont understand words! Hence to have have best effect all positive and negative reinforcement needs to be immaediately and consistent.

They do like strong leadership. Be firm.

Most of all; it's a relationship. Learn to read dog body language and the rest will flow.

You need to spend more time with your dog

AM

so last night i went out to get some dog supplies, left her for an hour.
found her out the front when i got back. she had used a small bin as a stepping stone to get over the fence. bin now removed.

took her for a small walk last night. some people said walk her, others said it would be too early. so i did a small walk, 600m. she was a bit too distracted to sit and the walk was a tug of war, continually pulling but she did stop on command.

after walk she got fed. ate her biscuits and meds. i think eating is a good sign

she had a freakout and barked the house down after i changed my t-shirt. took her a minute to calm down.

also anyone knocking on the front door freaks her out. not sure if this is learned behavior or it was just too loud for her.

i went to bed and she slept on the floor next to the bed. unfortunately i was too stressed to sleep. 230am I took a sleeping tablet.

7am she wakes me up. i let her out the back door and shes goes the toilet. she gets praised and a handful of biscuits. i leave her outside. after 5min, she pawing and whimpering at the door. so she cant be left alone yet. i let her in and i go back to bed. she sleeps next to the bed again.

10am i get up. shes a bit nervous with me having a shower. had to leave the door open. i gave her a hardened meat bone treat thingie but shes not interested in it.

today im working from home. she spends most of her time next to be lying down, occasionally getting up for a sniff around the room or a pat.

i've called two dog trainers, neither work mondays.

she appears to to be improving slightly.
whereas im getting more and more stressed.

A slow process and good training ( for you ) when you have kids

Originally Posted by pop058

A slow process and good training ( for you ) when you have kids

no kids for me. i got snipped 7 years ago.

My mums scottie was very timid like that as she was rescued from a puppy farm at 4yo, now after about 6 months she is so lively and runs to the door to greet people.
So she just needs time to adjust and understand that you are good.

Whelping, being separated from her pups, getting spayed, being re-homed by the sound of it at least twice in such a short period of time is going to be a traumatic experience for any dog. It's a good thing that she is so young. Love her, be gentle but firm, remember that YOU are the boss.

Find a GOOD obedience training school. If you are not used to dogs, then you need training as much as she does. The added benefit is that dogs need to 'socialise' with other dogs, and school is one of the best ways to begin this. It also cures the tug of war thing.

I envy you. The love and companionship a dog brings is priceless.