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Rescuing a dog is a great thing to do, both for the animal itself, and society as a whole. When you take on a rescue animal, you’re adding to the well-being of the world, and showing our furry friends that there are people out there who really care. 

Naturally, though, you probably have a lot of questions about the process. That’s why we’re here. In this post, we run through all the questions people have about rescuing pups so that you can learn everything you need to know before taking the plunge. 

What Are The Benefits Of Adopting A Rescue Dog?

The benefits of adopting a rescue dog are profound. When you save a dog from a shelter, you’re also saving their life. Plus, you can free up room for other rescue dogs that will inevitably arrive in the coming days and weeks. You’re giving them a chance to live before being destroyed. 

Where Can You Adopt Rescue Dogs?

The pound or animal shelters are the best places to find rescue dogs. Look for reputable organizations that appear on national official accreditation lists. Try to avoid agencies that don’t have any formal status or recognition in the community. 

Some shelters will ask you to pay an adoption fee. This covers their costs. 

When you purchase a dog from a reputable shelter, they’ve usually received an examination from a trained vet. They should be free from infection, parasitic disease, and any obvious medical conditions that could adversely affect their quality of life. 

You can, of course, go to the internet to find dogs for adoption. However, the dogs may not have had the same checks. If you’re just looking for a new dog, it is always best to go to reputable pet breeders. They have procedures in place to reduce infection and keep animals healthy. 

What’s The Best Way To Introduce A New Dog To Another Dog?

Dogs tend to get on well with each other when they live in the same home. However, things can get a little challenging when you first introduce them to each other. Dogs won’t necessarily get along from the get-go. 

Start by asking the shelter or rescue center about how the dog generally behaves around other animals. Usually, they will tell you if they are social or not.

If you expect there will be trouble, bring both your dogs to a neutral location (not your home), and let them sniff around each other for a while. Getting them used to each other’s company in the park for an hour or so can be a great way to break the ice when you bring them back. Just dumping a rescue dog alongside an existing animal on your property is a recipe for disaster. 

If you want to encourage them to socialize more, try walking them together on the same reins. These shared experiences will help with bonding. 

How Do You Introduce A Rescue Dog To A Cat?

Dogs and cats don’t usually mix straight away. Therefore, it’s a good idea to keep them separate for a few days so that they can get used to each other’s scent. 

When you introduce dogs and cats to each other, put a baby gate between them for the initial interactions. This will give each animal a chance to get to know each other for the first few meetings, without the risk of direct conflict. During the experience, provide both animals with plenty of treats to sweeten the deal. Dogs and cats often require a lot of encouragement to be polite to each other. 

What Will A Rescue Dog Be Like For The First Few Months?

How your rescue dog behaves when it arrives at your home depends on its experiences so far in life. Dogs from happy homes are usually trusting while those with abusive pasts may be reluctant to bond with you. 

Remember, dogs have no idea they have been adopted and that your intention is to care for them. All they know is that they have been taken out of their previous environment and put in a new one. Many feel scared. 

During the first few months, take it slowly. You don’t have to establish a secure bond with your dog immediately.

Try to avoid stressful interactions. Take a laid-back approach to life with them. Don’t take them to busy locations or parks where there are lots of other dogs and children running around all over the place.

Pay close attention to your dog during this time. Let them take the lead. If they want to make contact with them, let them come to you. Avoid unwanted hugging and kissing. 

What Do You Need To Do To Prepare For A New Dog Coming Home?

Before your dog comes home, you’ll need to prepare some basic supplies, including food, water bowl, dog bed, treats, collar and leash. You’ll also need to make sure that your house is safe. Don’t leave any dangerous foods or chemicals lying around at dog-eye level. 

You’ll need a dog crate. These are useful for confining your dog when you want to transport them or leave them home alone. 

Dogs also need stimulation. Therefore, it helps to have some chew toys and treats for them when they get bored. 

What Should You Feed A Rescue Dog?

You’ll want to avoid feeding your rescue dogs any of the items they aren’t supposed to eat. These include onions, avocados, coffee, grapes, raisins, and chocolate. You can find a full list of foods that dogs shouldn’t eat online if you are worried. 

Can You Tell In Advance Whether A Rescue Dog Will Have Behavioral Problems?

Shelters will try to provide you with as much information about a dog’s behavior as possible. Most have history forms filled out by their previous owners that you can read. These tell you about what you should expect from the animal, what’s normal for them, and how you should respond if there is trouble. 

Even better are behavioral assessments. These provide owners with a full list of behavioral problems that a dog might have. Potential owners can find out about all their quirks before taking them home with them so there are no nasty surprises. 

Remember that the way a dog behaves in a shelter is often different from the way they are when they get home. When in large groups, dogs can become more boisterous, aggressive, or timid. However, at home, they may feel far more peaceful. 

Do Rescue Dogs Have Any Additional Needs Compared To Regular Dogs?

Generally speaking, rescue dogs do not have more needs than dogs bought from pet stores or private breeders. However, they may be more suspicious of humans because of their past. 

As such, you may need to tread lightly around rescue dogs for the first few weeks. Once they settle down, you can treat them like any other dog in your home. 

What Type Of Dogs Are Available For Adoption?

As you can imagine, there are as many different types of rescue dogs available for adoption as there are dogs in the world. You never know what breeds are going to show up in shelters. 

For some owners, this is a good thing. However, many prefer to go to private breeders because this way, they know exactly what they are getting. 

Owners generally prefer to rescue puppies. Therefore, older dogs are much less likely to be picked up from rescue shelters. You can talk to staff about the likelihood of any particular animal being rescued, based on its looks and behavior.