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10 Tips For A Forever Home For Rescued Dogs
10 Tips For A Forever Home For Rescued Dogs
By Eileen Austin
Fourteen months ago, I met my future dogs and fell in love. I was committed from the start to have a successful adoption and provide a forever home. It was not easy but it worked for all of us. I went from having a 14 year old pure breed male beagle to 2 females beagle mixes, who had not been raised together. I did not have any special training for this task just a love for dogs. Here are my experienced based tips.
Puppy Proof any space that the dog will be in.You are looking for anything that is hazardous or precious to you before it can be damaged. My dogs,Coco and Reba, were about two years old but behaved more like puppies.They had no idea whatwas valuable to me. The goal was to reduce scolding of them especially in the beginning. Reba hadbeen abused and was very sensitive to correction. She would hidwhen scolded.Deal with a good adoption group. Breed rescue are particularly good. They should interview you and your family for suitability.Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue was a tremendous help. One of my dogs had been in foster care prior to the adoption so the foster mother stayed in touch and provided help in adjusting.An early visit to your vet is an excellent idea. My breed rescue required it. Your vet will get to know the dog(s) better. My vet recommended a second heart worm test at six months as a precaution.Find out the current food prior to arrival so it is available. The same food will prevent gastrointestinal upset during a stressful time. You can always change it later.Provide a safe place such ascrate so the dog has place to retreat to and rest. Adjustmentcan be very tiring.Select one behavior to workon at the time. Pick one which is important to you and focus onit. Thebehavior I selected washousebreaking. One was supposed to be already trained but the situation was different. I have a fencedyard and there are doggydoors which are open all day. I assume it was obvious but that was my mistake. It worked out.Do not force a showof affection. It will come as the dog becomes more comfortable. There is a great commercial on TV about bonding with a rescue dog. The woman was rolling a ball to the dog several timeswithout response so she stops and ball comeback followed by the dog.Trust takes time particularly if the dog was abused but with love and time it comes. Reba wasafraid of men from her prior experience but without pressure she became comfortable.Register the microchippromptly so if your dogget loose,she can be found. Reba dug out during the first month andleft her collar behind. I was able to get her back because of that tag and another dog lover.Consider obedience training for both of you. Itcan strengthen the bond.Know that dogs play fight. I didnot know this as I had always had only one dog at a time, It was quite a shockbut Coco's foster mother helped me through it. Now if I tell them to stop, they lick each other to show it was play.Coco, Reba and I are forever family. The adjustment period had its ups and downs but was well worth it. On the rescue group's website, the following words are under each dog's picture "I will love you more than you can imagine". It is so true. If you have love in your heart, I recommend adoption . It is not always easy but when they look up at you, it is very clear that they know that you rescued them and love you for it.
Eileen Austin, ED.D, Consultant and Educator
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Could You Foster a Dog in Need?
Could You Foster a Dog in Need?
By Joseph M Sabol
If you have ever watched animal rescue shows on television, you have probably seen some of the sick or injured dogs or puppies be placed with a foster caregiver. These dedicated volunteers provide much needed help to dogs recovering from their ordeal, whether its from physical abuse and neglect or lack of socialization. Do you think you could foster a dog in need?
Fostering a dog is a big responsibility and requires a real commitment from the whole family. Anyone who wants to foster a dog or a puppy should have some experience with dogs. Dogs that have been abused or neglected are often the most difficult to foster. They have fear and trust issues and will need someone who knows how to slowly, gently encourage their confidence and teach them to be social and how to play. Certain breeds will require foster caregivers with specific experience. Naturally, very large dogs or dogs that have a tendency toward aggression when afraid, will not be suitable for homes with young children or other pets. These dogs will need a person who is able to be firm yet gentle in handling behavior issues.
You will need to learn specific things that may frighten the dog and help him to learn to adapt to different triggers. For example, he may be afraid of your other dogs loud barking or of thunder. He may feel afraid if there are a lot of people around him. He can slowly be desensitized to the things that he fears. This will allow him to be a good candidate for adoption.
It is important that you have an appropriately sized house, for the size of the dog you will foster. Someone will need to be home during the day and have time to spend with the pup. The dog may require a special diet or medication. You may have to take your foster pet to the veterinarian for treatment of injuries. There are some other things to consider before you volunteer for fostering. Do you have children? Are there other pets in your home? The workers at the shelter or the rescue will be able to match you with a pet that will be the best fit in your household. Keep in mind that some of the dogs in need of fostering may not be house trained or have even the most basic manners. This will be an additional challenge for you to take on.
Its a good thing for a foster dog to just learn how to part of a normal home. You will be surprised how after a slow start, the pup you're fostering, will be at ease as a member of the family. This transformation is what foster caregivers are striving for. There is a true sense of satisfaction in giving these dogs a chance to live a happy, healthy life with a loving family.
It takes a certain kind of person to be able to invest time and love in a neglected or injured dog, and see him become healed and healthy, then to give them over to another family. Animal foster caregivers volunteer knowing that they will fall in love with their temporary pet, then turn them over to a permanent home. These volunteers make all the difference in shelters and rescue being able to find homes for many of the dogs brought to them. Many of the dogs not suitable for adoption when they arrive, would likely be euthanized.
If you think you have it in your heart to foster a dog in need, contact your local humane society or a local breed rescue. While it can be challenging, it is also a very rewarding experience.
Joseph M. Sabol is a world class Doberman breeder. Please go to http://petvitamins4u.com or to http://theroadhousedobes.com for further information.
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Shih Tzu Adoption - What You Need to Know
Shih Tzu Adoption - What You Need to Know
By Chris Boshoff
The two most common places for Shih Tzu adoption are Rescue Homes and Animal Shelters. Rescue Homes are like foster homes where unwanted pups and dogs are housed and taken care of by dedicated animal lovers who give shelter and care to the dogs in a home environment.
An animal shelter is usually a central holding place belonging to an organization where animals are kept and cared for by paid workers or volunteers.
As both facilities are run on a charitable basis expect to pay for your dog, but the cost will be considerably less than what you would pay a professional breeder. Rescue homes normally charge more than shelters, but as the dog has been kept in a more normal environment it is less likely to have any adjustment issues and will be better behaved and possibly in better health.
It is important to stress that if you are looking for your first dog or are worried about pure lineage or pet problems either bring a more experienced person with you or have the dog examined by a vet before you agree to take the dog on.
Common sense will tell you that Shih Tzu seldom come up for adoption. The Shih Tzu's convivial character, small size and of course value make them unlikely to be abandoned, but every now and then they do wind up in either a rescue home or shelter and if you have a word with the organizers who run these places they will keep you in mind when one comes up. It will probably help your case if you make a donation at the time of asking!
Behavioral problems are less likely to be a deterrent when you are choosing a dog like a Shih Tzu, but you should still be aware that this is a very common reason for a dog becoming an inmate of a shelter. Although a disturbed Shih Tzu is unlikely to pose the same danger to your home or family as an aggressive Alsatian, it may defeat your purpose if you want a placid companion.
Another reason why people part from their animals is for health reasons. A remarkably large number of dogs suffer from conditions such as epilepsy and diabetes that require constant and expensive treatment. Although serious, with good care there is no reason why a Shih Tzu suffering from this type of illness, cannot lead a happy and long life. Just like human beings, unless there is some clinical mental illness, patience, care and affection will reap rewards.
Before adoption check the dog's eyes, ears nose teeth and coat. Know what you are looking for. Shih Tzu's long hair can hide fleas, ticks and skin conditions, so take your time. If the dog has behavioral problems do not take him on unless you have dog training experience.
I have the greatest respect for rescue homes and shelters, but I would not necessarily take all the information you get as reliable so caution is advised.
There is, of course, more risk involved in adopting a Shih Tzu from one of these places, but the rewards are so much greater. The smaller the dog, the less impact the bad behavior will have and you have the satisfaction of knowing you have saved a dog that would have otherwise spent his life in what amounts to an institution.
Chris Boshoff is a Shih Tzu Lover. If you would like to find out more about Shih Tzu Adoption or Shih Tzu in general visit his website at http://www.shihtzuparadise.com
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