What do I do when I take my dog home?

Carry the crate into the house. It is very risky trying to get the dog out of the car, they will be in a heightened anxious state and are likely to run off if you open the crate outside of the home. When inside, put the crate down wherever you want it to be - we highly recommend it in the back area of the home, with no clear access to the street when the front door is opened. Open the crate door and go about your day as normal - however, please avoid turning on the hoover at this point, it will be too much too soon. Your dog will decompress in their own time. Only once the dog has become more comfortable (could be 30 mins-1.5 hrs or longer) you can then take them into the garden. With very timid dogs we recommend keeping them inside overnight or for a few days, meaning you will need to get some puppy pads for accidents and let them out into the garden when it is light outside. Always supervise your dog in the garden.

 

Why is my dog having sloppy poos?

Sloppy poo can be a result of stress or too many rich treats, a diet change that has been done too quickly or an underlying medical condition. We recommend using plain chicken for treats as this is better for sensitive stomachs, transition your dog onto a new diet over 2 weeks. Feed the dog on plain chicken and plain rice if it has an upset stomach. If there is no change after a week, please consult your vet.

 

How do I stop my dog barking in the garden?

Please see the section Time Outs - if your dog does not have a collar on, guide/herd them inside to break the habit.

 

How can I prevent chewing in the home?

See the section: Chewing and how to manage it.

 

How do I go about toilet training my dog?

Over the first couple of days of getting them into the garden you need to be as frequent as possible. First thing in the morning, throughout the day, when they wake up from naps, before bed. Your dog will get used to going outside; it will just take a bit of time for them to adjust.

 

What equipment do I walk my dog on?

You must double lead your dog until you are sure they will not bolt away from you. Use either a standard clip lead on the collar with a slip-lead, or a well fitted harness with a standard lead and a slip lead. Always fit the slip lead behind the collar so that if the collar slips off you have a backup to keep hold of your dog.

 

When can I let my dog off-lead?

Use the section Teaching Recall: Guide to practice recall with your dog. Once your dog is returning to you 100% of the time you can try off-lead walks. We recommend hiring a secure field in your area to practice off-lead walks before you head out into the real world.

 

Why is my dog stopping on walks or looking scared of other dogs or people?

Dogs are all about association. If they have been spooked by something on their walks it can make them anxious to walk in that particular area again. All of our dogs need sufficient time to get used to walking with you. If your dog is frightened or is stopping and refusing to walk, do not make them. Turn around and go home. You can always try again later or another day. Forcing a dog to walk can cause them to react to things that frighten them.

 

Do I have to use the crate?

Crates are helpful for a dog to transition into the home. They are a useful tool to secure a dog if you are out at points throughout the day. You must not close a dog into a crate until you have worked with them and built up a strong connection with the crate. Some dogs stop using their crates shortly after moving into the home - this is because they are spoiled for choice for comfortable things to lay on. You are welcome to use a bed if your dog transitions into there by their own choosing. It is recommended you put your crate up again around bonfire night and New Year’s Eve to give the dog somewhere to hide if fireworks are frightening them.

 

When can my dog go into the car?

You will need to build up to using the car slowly. Many of our dogs have never been in a car before and their only experience of transport is that of the 3-day drive from Romania. To begin with you could use a crate in the car to transport them. You will need to use treats to build up a positive relationship with the car and seek training advice if your dog is having some difficulty. Some dogs never enjoy the car, and unfortunately this is something we must accept.

 

What is the best advice for my dog’s nerves?

Allow them to decompress. Many of our dogs have been in a shelter not long ago, facing lots of manhandling and a lifetime of abuse, travelled a 3-day journey and are placed into rescue. Others have come away from their families and do not settle well in kennels. Dogs will do things in their own time. You must not push them or expect too much from them. In a year you will be amazed by how far they have come. Progress will come, you just need to be patient.