Bringing a Rescued Dog Home: How to Give Them a Good Home for the Rest of Their Lives

         Adopting a rescued dog from a pound or shelter might not be for everyone, but it can be a greatly rewarding experience. Many of these dogs come from puppy mills, rescued from the streets or an abusive home, or simply given up by a family who can no longer take care of them. As a result of these negative past experiences, rescued dogs often have physical or emotional trauma that makes it difficult for them to adjust to a new home. Many of them are extremely shy and wary of people, while others can become overly aggressive or possessive of food or toys. There are also many happy dogs who make easily make friends with other dogs and humans.

  It’s Not a Decision to Make Lightly

          When you visit a pound or shelter and see these animals, you might feel that tug in your heart that makes you want to take them home on the spot. However, you should talk to the shelter staff to know more about the dog’s history and whether they have any current medical needs or behavioral problems as a result of their past. Bringing home these dogs will not be the same as taking home a puppy or even an adult dog who is happy, healthy, and well-adjusted. Often times, they do not know how to act like a “normal” dog and it might take a significant amount of care, attention, and patience on your part before you can earn their trust.

        Many abused dogs may need special or specific circumstances to be able to have a happy and healthy life in your home, and you might need to make drastic changes in your lifestyle before you can adopt them. You need to ask yourself whether you are ready to take on this responsibility before you decide on taking home an abused dog.

    It’s Not ALL Bad News, Though

        When you consider the fact that most shelters and pounds are constantly filled to capacity, you will actually be helping in so many ways if you do decide to adopt an abused dog. Not only will you be giving an animal a new lease on life, but you will also be helping these animal care providers have more space and resources to help other animals in need.

        Dogs are social creatures at heart and they DO want to have a safe and loving relationship if given the chance. As long as you commit to taking that extra step in giving them the love and care that they need to heal, they will eventually become a loyal and loving part of your home.

         How to Help a Dog Heal

        There is no fixed set of rules to rehabilitate an abused dog as each dog may have gone through different types of trauma and may express themselves differently. However, there are some steps that you should take that will help any abused dog to heal from their past.

 1.      Give them a Safe Environment

This is the most important thing to consider when you bring home an abused dog: they need to feel safe in their new home. Find a quiet place where they can sleep, relax, and eat. Use accessories such as a collar that fits well (but does not hurt), as well as a lightweight leash.

2.      Be Patient, Especially During the Beginning

During the first few days, your new dog might be wary, shy, or even aggressive. You need to be patient and understand that they might still feel afraid and they are acting naturally. Never show frustration or impatience even if they are progressing slowly because dogs can easily pick up on these negative emotions and you will find yourself back at square one. 

3.      Find How They Respond and Use It

Dogs respond to positive reinforcement, and you need to find that stimulus. Some dogs respond well to food, while others respond well to praise and play. Most abused dogs, however, respond better to food because it helps establish trust. If possible, hand-feed your dog during their first few days so that they can associate you with something positive like food.

4.      Let Them Feel Control

When you take your dog home, they might feel like the situation is once again out of their control because they are faced with an unfamiliar environment. Let them feel like they have their own space in your home and that you respect this space. If they do not feel like playing or eating, don’t force the issue. Simply set it aside for now and just sit beside or near them while talking to them in a calm voice.

5.      Ask the Experts

As mentioned above, rehabilitating an abused dog can be a difficult task and sometimes you need to ask for help. You can consult a dog wellness guide online to see if there are things that you need to change in your routine. You can also consult a vet or a dog behavioral expert for their advice.