Rescuing or rehoming a dog is a very altruistic thought that is done out of compassion by genuine and warmhearted people. However, as all too many owners of dogs from this type of background know things don’t always turn out as they’d originally planned and instead behavioural problems such as reactivity, aggression take over. They may also develop separation anxiety.

The reason being is that altruism alone simply isn’t enough when rehoming a dog. If it is not infused with a good understanding of what a dog ‘truly’ needs and instead human ideals are forced on the dog then that’s when things can begin to turn sour.

In the human world we rate affection as a good thing and when we rescue a dog we might think naively that showering them with such emotion can somehow alleviate the stress of their past. That kind of belief has nothing to do with how a dog views its existence and is more rooted in human sentiment. Sure, dogs are very often stressed and sometimes distressed when they arrive in our homes for a new start but they need our security and not our sympathy.

Leadership is normally the last thing that a rescue dog receives from their human when they arrive in their home, when it should be the first. The reason behind many a dog in the shelter is because they never received leadership from their original owner. That can and should come in many forms, including rules of what they can and can’t do in our homes, communication skills in the form of obedience training, affection given on our terms and at the right time, they should be taught how to play with humans, as well as have a good exercise routine as well.  That as well as a sound discipline system in a way that a dog understands, at the right time, when they start to push the boundaries which they will inevitably do.

On the other hand, when we do not apply such structure to our dog’s life, funnily enough they do not magically conform to our human way of existence but instead, and quite obviously, begin to impress their influence on us in a canine way. The reason being, because they do not feel leadership from us, when they tested the boundaries in the past nobody pushed back. Inexperienced dog owners will not see those subtle challenges or might even pass them, and more gross challenges or problems, off as something which the dog will hopefully grow out of at a later time. But a dog that has found itself a new throne will never give it up for free, and unfortunately that is where many people with problem rescue dogs find themselves today.

If you find yourself in this type of situation please call The Dog Wizard today on 07926 911825 for guidance to overcome this problem. Alternatively, fill out my Online Contact Form and I will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.