Rescue Dog

I've not had a rescue dog but have had rescue cats, I've found them to be the most loving and grateful animals.

As you are not a new dog owner and have had dogs all your married life , am pretty sure you will know instinctively how to treat her. You know she has had a difficult early life but with the correct love and care she should be ok. As she is in foster, hopefully they will have managed to housetrain her and will be able to tell you her little foibles or if there are any behavioural or medical issues that need addressing. Good luck

We used to home rescue dogs and foster when we lived in our family house,we can't do it on the scale we did as we don't have the space now but we do have two dogs one of which is a rescue.
You are used to having dogs in your family so you will pick up very quickly the needs of this little girl,I have found in the past that not leaving them alone is vital and give at least a month before you even attempt to try at any training of any sort.
Take for short walks and gradually let her meet people but do not let her get too excited,speak to her quietly but firmly and you should not have a problem.
Best wishes with your new family member I'm sure she will settle in and be a great addition to your family.

Thanks so much you two. That has boosted my confidence. I feel sure that she will be ok once she has settled in but the help with the initial period is much appreciated.

That's a terrible story about the poor little dog, and not uncommon, especially in places like Romania.

I'd say be patient, kind, (I'm sure you will), and be aware that she may well be very afraid of certain things:

being alone/confined/strange sounds/other dogs etc.

Good luck x

Poor dog and how good of you to give her a good home.

Three years ago I adopted a street dog from Sicily where they are treated like vermin. He is a lovely dog, but he still has issues which stem from his puppyhood on the streets.

He is afraid of everything and taking him out is extremely difficult because he is so strong and wants to go after every animal, human or vehicle he sees! He’s not vicious, just frightened.

At home he is obviously secure and you couldn’t wish for a sweeter natured dog, but I have to be careful not to startle him. Even picking up the broom, or mop has him cowering in a corner. I think he must have taken a beating in his past which he can’t forget, poor chap.

I’ve tried many different trainers who have helped a little, but haven’t addressed all the issues.

I wish you all the best with your rescue. She’s lucky to have found a good forever home.

I have had rescue cats and my last cat was terrified of the electric kettle. Heaven knows where he had been kept but he had never socialised and that was something I could not do but he was so loving and appeared to be so grateful for a quiet home with somebody who loved and cared for him.

It will take time and a lot of patience but you will not regret it.

Ive rescued and fostered many dogs but only from this country. Friends who have adopted dogs like yours have all found these dogs a challenge, in different ways. The advice they’ve had from behaviourists is to keep the dog quiet for at least a month, not to mix them with other dogs till your Dogs confidence improves.
You don’t see your rescue dogs temperament for about three months.
Good routines, plain diet, no visitors in the early days, peace and quiet. Your little dog. Had. A terrible start in life and may find the change quite difficult but it’s good that she’s been in foster care as you’ll be able to pick up their routines and they will have an early assessment of her.

I’m sure patience and love will be enough to reassure her. A calm environment, consistent gentle training and enough space to settle in without smothering her will work wonders. Bless you for your kindness.

Spoil her, that's all I can say, bless her, what a terrible start. Talk to her all the time ( I know it sounds daft ) then she'll get to know you as the person who'll see to her needs and also help her to forget her past. Just be patient and give her little treats for encouragement.

I'm as daft as a brush with animals

Yes I can only reiterate what others have said. Routine very important so she gets to know what will happen throughout her day and it helps build her confidence. Peace and quiet and love. No sudden movement or noise.

Quality plain diet.

Really I think everyone has said it.

I would love to hear about her as she settles in and perhaps a photo?

Sadly love and patience whilstvessential aren’t enough.
Spoiling any dog is a bad idea, particularly with Dogs like this, who haven’t had stability, security, routines, consistency and kindness in those early weeks and months.

How lovely,i am sure this little dog will be very graeful,
All the advice i cn give really is don't let her out of your sight, not even in your garden alone
I have so many stories of rescue ogs escaping, sometimes even before they have got to their new homes, as they are so frightened,
Some have never been found,
I don't think people always realise that just because they are in a garden maybe that they are not safe
I hope all goes well, and good luck ,
What breed is she/he
I was thinking of rescuing a dog from Greece, but a family crisis cropped up,and i couldn't do it
I was told about this poor dog in Greece, she was found under a truck with puppies, and her mouth had been nailed up so she couldn't even eat
I will never forget the pictures i got of her,made me cry

We've had a rescue dog for 5 months now. She's 4 years old and a mixture of collie/husky/german shepherd. We love her to bits and she loves her new home. She's had to get used to walking with a lead and coming to call. Not quite yet but she loves the woods we walk in daily. We had been looking for a while for a rescue dog. We preferred to take into our family a dog in need.

Our Mya comes from a rescue centre in Cornwall. I visited Mya lots of times and someone from the centre came out to vet us. She had been in the centre for 6 months recovering from infections. They only let dogs go to a new home when they are well and truly sure that both us and the dog will be happy. We knew all Mya's traits and are enjoying training her. She loves her treats (very tiny bits of chicken skin). They are an excellent reward to responding well.

You will love your dog and thank you so much for taking in a rescue dog. There are millions of expensive pedigree puppies out there but there are so many rescue dogs in need of a loving caring come.

Mya is never far from my side and accompanies me when I'm working in the house we are building. This is her spot!

I meant to put in that over the first few months we did find that something must have happened to her with 'men' and 'boots'. My husband is getting to be her best friend now! He's been so patient with her. Goodness knows what the previous owner did to her.

Thank you for taking in this poor dog, and as others have wisely said, calm, routine, plain food will help to build up her trust. Talking to her will help too. I have to admit that I now get very judgemental about people who 'buy' dogs, especially from amateur breeders who produce designer puppies. We have dogs for companionship, exercise, and rescued or re-homed dogs show many years of gratitude for the chance of a decent home.

GillT57 bought a pedigree pup 45 years ago but rescued and fostered till I bought a pedigree from the same line, just a couple of months ago.
My rescues and fosters have all come good but, with four grandchildren under 4 I couldn’t risk bringing an nknowm, unpredictable dog in to join or older dog. The young dog is coming on well, I bought because I know the temperament of the breed and her particular line.
I understand your point but some of us are no longer in a position to rescue. I find it difficult to accept rescuing dogs from abroad, some have been street or beach dogs, haven’t been domesticated and won’t adjust easily to life here. Our shelters and breed rescues are overwhelmed with dogs. Many of the so called designer breeds are rejected ny 7-17 months. The reason often given is the amount of time needed - complaints about behaviour that’s normal for the age.
I try not to be judgemental because most people mean well

We previously had terriers of one type of another. This little girl is a mixture but reminds me a bit of our Cairn Terrier. When she has settled I will send a photo. Thanks for all the advice and good wishes.

Oh I understand Iam64 and of course you have to be careful with a dog of unknown history. Not all dogs that are rescues are street dogs though; my dog had to be given up by her owner ( who was very upset about it) because her circumstances had changed due to divorce, having to work full time and did not think it fair to leave a 9 month old dog at home all day, so we took her on, and my late Mother's dog, from The Dogs Trust, had been owned by an old lady, who subsequently died. Neither of them had been ill treated.

GillT57, none of my rescues had been street or beach dogs. They were all from the UK and had been abandoned or placed with specific breed rescues. They all came with 'issues' having been either ill-treated, starved or in one case, both then thrown out of a moving car on Christmas Eve outside our local shelter. He joined us in late February the following year, was still skin and bone, had awful gastric problems from which the vet didn't think he'd recover. He did, once he realised he was safe, would never be hungry again, no one would kick or hurt him, he became a legend. Much loved x

Some lovely responses on here. It is heartwarming to hear the stories of rescued animals that now have such a good life.

Hi Framilode, what lovely news. I have had dogs all my life. My parents always had pedigrees but when I left home I opted for rescue dogs.

We've had 9 at the last count. The most recent is lying next to me as I type. A JR cross who was a one year old little madam when we got her but she soon calmed down with patience and love.

We've had 2 greyhounds. Ex racers who weren't accustomed to the luxury of living in a home. It didn't take them long to get used to it!

Dogs are so amazingly forgiving and trusting. With love and patience you'll be fine.

It will be lovely for you to have another 4 legged friend around the house.

Framilode's story made my blood run cold I wish i had not read it.

Most of my dogs have been rescues. They aren't always easy as many have been strays and become used to making their own decisions. Hard to teach recall. One of mine was afraid of feet can guess why. Some are not house trained.I would not like to have missed out on any of my beloved dogs.

Our last rescue dog had similar problems Framilode but not quite so severe. She needs a calm environment and time to find her own space with you. Regular small meals and lots of patience. Give her time to approach you, don't fuss her too much.
Our girl is the kindest, most gentle dog you could wish for but it didn't happen overnight she had to learn to trust us. Good luck to you and your little dog.

How awful for this little dog to suffer so but I feel she will recover with your care and have a happy future.
My little dog was rescued from a Californian euthanasia centre by a charity who rescue 80 dogs at a time and fly them here. Potential adopters, previously vetted and screened were invited to choose a dog the day after they arrived. The dogs each had a volunteer caring for them overnight in an airport hanger. I chose a 9 month old puppy who had been abandoned. She'd had a long flight and was very quiet, tired and bewildered and ate very little for a couple of days. She didn't bark at all. Apart from frequent toilet training walks and gradually socializing with the neighbourhood dogs we stayed home quietly and got to know each other with lots of cuddles. She stuck to me like glue following me from room to room all the time. She found her bark when I went out for 10 minutes! She had separation anxiety. To begin with I'd go out for 10 mins., then 20 mins and so on always giving her a little treat on leaving and returning. I'd say she got used to everything within 2 months. She's two and a half now, happy, relaxed , and obedient, adores my grandchildren, long walks and she particularly loves swimming . She's my constant companion and I'm so lucky to have her.
Do please let us know how you get on.