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April 25th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Training a dog takes patience and dedication. To achieve the desired results in rescued dog will take double the dedication and patience. All of the hard work will be rewarded in the end.

Unplanned litters continue to be common even though the practice of spaying and neutering has been around for decades. The result is that the number of puppies born far outnumber the number of available homes. When we add the number of dogs that get lost or wander away, rescue missions and shelters everywhere are filled to capacity. Many of these dogs will never find homes in time and be euthanized.

A second chance awaits a lucky few. Some will be adopted into the care of a loving family or rescued from the street. The new owners, however, are often not quite sure how best to deal with the rescued dog.

Rescued dogs are often in poor shape when they are brought in to a shelter. They often have a history of abuse or neglect and sometimes lived in horrendous conditions. And in some circumstances dogs are released into the wild to take care of themselves.

A dog’s nature is to be a pack animal. Even wild dogs don’t do well on their own. A domesticated dog that has been released into the wild and no longer has human or animal interaction do poorly. Wild dogs such as these are usually fearful and distrustful of humans, but with proper training they can learn to overcome these traits.

The first thing you should do after you have rescued a dog is to get a full health examination. A dog will not be able to respond positively to any training if it is in pain or sick. It is very important to give the dog enough time to regain weight and energy.

If possible try to get any information regarding the dog’s history. Your training efforts will be helped if you have information on the dog’s past abuse or medical history.

Take your time when trying to gain the dog’s trust. Do not force yourself on the dog. They will need to learn that they can trust you before they seek you out. Many dogs are food driven so using treats to build trust can help. Try stepping back a bit after putting a treat on the floor. Staring directly at the dog should be avoided at this point. When the dog takes the treat, praise him enthusiastically.

It is not uncommon for some rescue animals to initially seek out physical contact . Some can take weeks or more. But once you have got it you may want to attempt to gently lay the dog on its back and put your hands on its chest. You will have two possible reaction, either resistance from an aggressive dog or fearful acceptance from a passive dog. Neither behavior is good. An aggressive dog would be forced into submission under normal training. A rescued dog will not respond well to this. Establishing trust will take time. In the fearful case, the rehabilitation will be easier and you can calm the dog by providing a belly rub and speaking softly so that he learns that being on his back does not mean punishment.

In the case of a rescued dog training can be slow and difficult. The challenge often comes from their age, temperament and history. You can do it . The dog will reward you for your perseverance.

Don’t feel sorry for the dog. Training can be hindered by doing this. Be patient, loving and understanding but don’t let the dog have the run of the house. By letting the dog know that you are in charge you are establishing yourself as the pack leader.

Your rescued dog will reward you with unconditional love.

Stefan Hyross writes for the site All About Dogs ‘N Puppies. Read about dog behavior problems and learn how to correct them. Visit the site to  discover proven puppy potty training methods and other tips and trick for you and your pooch.