Is adopting a rescue pet a mistake?
DEAR OLD TRAINER: I’m so excited because I’m getting a dog. I agree with you about adopting rescue dogs, and I’ve found several I like, but a guy at work says if you adopt a rescue dog you just adopt someone’s mistake.
LeAnne, Merced, Calif.
A: Nonsense. That’s the exact opposite of the truth. There is not a single fact that supports such a clueless statement. I pity that guy because he is missing the unconditional love you get from every rescue dog.
Rescue dogs are just like all other dogs — wonderful, loving, smart companions. Anyone who ever adopted a shelter dog will verify that statement.
And there is a special quality found only in rescue dogs. They know you saved them and they develop a special bond, unequaled with dogs that have not suffered the trauma of being abandoned.
Let one of those dogs you like — better yet, all of them — adopt you, LeAnne, and you’ll agree.
DEAR OLD TRAINER: We are adopting Lola, a Lab, because our kids, ages 5, 8, and 9, have the following 10 days off from school. She is 18 months old and is housebroken. Is there anything special we need to do? It is our first dog and we saved your columns on training, but I’m worried about what to do when she arrives.
Jan, Livermore, Calif.
A: No reason to worry. Going to a new home is a thing of joy for a rescue dog so Lola will do her best at everything you ask of her and the kids will have an experience they will remember as long as they live.
Adopting a dog is so much fun I wish I could adopt one every day.
On the day you bring Lola home do the same thing you would with a human in that situation — make her feel confident and at home in her new surroundings. Start off in the yard. Walk with her, but let her explore on her own when she feels like it. Let the kids love on her and play with her as much as they want.
After she burns off a few kilowatts of energy, take her inside and walk her through the house. Show her where her water bowl is and let her explore and sniff around. After 10 minutes take her back out to the yard. Spend a little time with her, then leave her on her own for a few minutes.
Take her in and out every 15 minutes at first, then increase it to 20 minutes. Concentrate on two things the first day—giving Lola plenty of love and teaching her and the kids that all the playing and running have to take place outdoors.
She has enough energy to wear out the kids, but at some point during the day she will wear herself out and find a place to rest. When she does, explain to the kids they have to leave her alone while she naps. Put a blanket or rug down on that spot and make it her official sanctuary.
At bedtime, if she wants to sleep with the kids that’s fine, if not put a blanket down in the spot she picks out. By the second day she will feel at home and will already be part of the family.
A trainer for more than 30 years, Jack Haskins has rescued, trained and placed more than 2,500 dogs. Send questions to theoldtrainer@gmail.com.
This story was originally published March 10, 2018 at 2:27 AM with the headline "Is adopting a rescue pet a mistake?."