Understanding your Rescue Dog's Behaviour
Like humans, no two dogs are alike. But unlike humans, all dogs are confirmed pack animals. We may have domesticated them, but their instincts to live in the hierarchy of a ‘pack’ have not changed. Having become a part of your family, he will see all members as his new pack.
As the newest member, your new dog will not know his place in the ranking order (hierarchy) of the pack he/she has joined. He will try and assess who the ‘alpha’ (leader, male or female)) of the pack is, and it is important that you let your new dog know that his rank will actually be at the bottom of the hierarchy. Most dogs have an instinctive need to fit into the pack because, doing so, will provide them with the security of knowing their place and what is or is not expected of them.
However, it is crucial to understand that establishing yourself as the ‘alpha’ of the pack, is NOT achieved by bullying, shouting, or force. The first will evoke fear (undesirable) and the latter might well be interpreted as an act of aggression and therefore merely provoke the dog’s natural instinct to defend itself (dangerous).
Remember, it’s very hard to love someone you fear!
Essential Hints & Tips
Dogs cannot understand our language - nor can they reason like humans - but they can learn to associate the sound of certain (short) words/commands (by consistent repetition) with certain actions. When your dog has understood their meaning, your commands should always be reinforced by you with a ‘reward’: praise (‘Good Boy’ or Good Girl’, an irresistible treat and friendly body language.
Depending on his background, don’t cuddle or handle him too much on his first few days in his new home. Having been kennelled for some time he may not be used to very close interaction with humans. It is best to give him time and space for a few days to get used to his new surroundings and his new pack.
Conversely, if your dog does something that does not please you, do not punish him. Dogs thrive on attention, and attempting to punish your dog by telling him or her off in a harsh voice, still counts as attention. (Remember, because he does not understand our language, he actually has no idea what you’re saying).
Instead, turn your back on him, avoid eye contact and remain silent! Do not shout at him! The dog will learn quite quickly that his behaviour (jumping up, for instance) brought no results whatsoever and will soon stop doing it.
As soon as he has stopped his unwelcome behaviour, switch back to showing pleasure and encouragement .
Don't get frustrated or angry if your dog if he doesn’t do what you want him to. He is probably not being disobedient at all; he may simply not understand what you want.
Don't attempt to give your dog a bath in his first week in his new home. That can be too overwhelming and frightening to him and fear may make him react in a way that you wouldn’t want him to.
If your new rescue dog doesn’t do what you want him to - like getting off the settee, jumping out of the back of the car or coming in from the garden -
NEVER grab him by his collar in an attempt to get him to do as you wish.
Again, remember, he’s a rescue dog who may have had unkind experiences in his previous life and he may instinctively interpret your action as yet more unkind - or worse - treatment towards him and react adversely.
Instead, attach a long lead to his collar and gently pull him off. Your dog will need time to learn that he can trust you before he will happily obey your command without fear.
Some new owners take a week off from work in order to ‘settle’ their dog into his new home. This is actually counter-productive. Your dog will become used to you being around 24 hours a day and, when you do go back to work he will be shocked at suddenly being left on his own. The stress of this sudden change may also cause him to become destructive and to develop separation anxiety.
Do practice trial separations. Remember, when you first leave your dog alone in his new surroundings, he will have no idea when you’re coming back, or even if you’re coming back. So short trial separations are essential. Settle your dog in his new resting place (bed), give him a chew or toy, and then leave the house for 10 minutes or so. This length of time can slowly be increased as time goes on.
If your new dog follows you from room to room, this should be discouraged. Try shutting a door between yourself and him for 10 minutes or so. Otherwise he will become overly dependant on you and, consequently, may suffer from separation anxiety when you do have to leave him alone.
Do leave your dog with a toy that will occupy him on his own and doesn’t require your interaction. Toys such a stuffed Kong toy, a hide chew or Buster cubes will keep him occupied and stimulated, because they cause him having to work to get at his reward.
Depending on his background, don’t cuddle or handle him too much during his first few days in his new home. Having been kennelled for some time, he may not be used to very close interaction with humans. It is best to give him time and space for a few days to allow him to get used to his new surroundings and life as member of a new pack.
