We are going to do a series of posts to help you with settling re-homed or rescued dogs
So
you’ve adopted a dog and its now day 4ish and stuff is happening and you just
can’t deal with it, so you want to give the dog back to the rescue centre, or
re-home it on further, or something like that.
I get called in
soooo may times at this re-homing point.
Folks, I am here
to ask that you have a little patience with yourselves and your new dog.
In rescue and
the adoption phase (for those dogs lucky enough to be adopted) there are
certain time frames that apply for the whole process of assimilation into a new
home and family.
First 24 - 48 hours:
These are a write-off. It’s all very new to everyone and unless something
really dramatic or horrible happens, should not count for much
First 2 - 4 weeks:
These are the “new environment” phase of the whole process. Usually in these
weeks, you will see fairly guarded behaviours, slightly more subdued attitudes
from the new animal, sometimes, the new animal will show a few “desperation”
behaviours like resource guarding, startling easily, pacing, whining and such
like. These are usually indicative of a level of insecurity and or anxiety
about its new situation.
4 - 6 months in:
You will sometimes have a “regression” episode around about this time where the
newest animal might appear to slip back into who it was at the shelter or in
the first 2 weeks of arrival. Sometimes the new animal might suddenly appear to
become grumpy and show more “punchy” behaviours. Sometimes the animal might
appear to suddenly develop more “needy” behaviours.
±1 year in
Sometimes, at around about the year mark, the animal will have a “regression”
moment (if you’re lucky, its first, but more often its second or third) again
seeming to manifest less confident and / or preferable behaviours like resource
guarding, territorial defensiveness, neediness etc.
1) Firstly
if your dog is a rescue and has possible abuse in its past please, please give
it space! As much as we want to cuddle
and love them and tell them it will all be fine that is very scary for
dogs. In fact dogs in general often
don’t like to be cuddled.
Don’t invade
your new pet’s space. Sit quietly and
talk gently while waiting for them to come to you.
2) Sudden movements, strong eye contact and loud
voices are all VERY scary for your new dog.
Allow the dog to set the pace, offer some yummy food from your hand and
if he/she does not take it allow it to fall on the floor and wait for the dog
to decide if it’s safe to eat near you.
I will often just allow a new dog to “hide” under my kitchen table while
I am cooking; just moving around doing stuff while keeping up a gentle run of
nonsense chatter allows the dog to settle around me.
.
3) Please make
sure your family (especially children) and guests all allow the dog space
too. Please do not allow your kids to
clamber over your dog or sleep in its bed. This is a very stressful change even though its way better than being in
a kennel it’s still overwhelming and the dog needs some time and space to
settle. Having its own bed to go to and
not being interrupted there helps them to settle faster.
It gives them a haven of their own where they can watch the family and
settle from a safe place.
I will be writing more on this subject in the coming weeks to help you with problems but if you are battling please contact us for advice. Email us at info@trainingk9.co.za or call us on 071 382 8772
