CANINE CONSULTING & TRAINING CENTER

"WHERE IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO HAVE A GOOD DOG"
How To Have A GREAT Rescue Dog!

By, Jennifer McGregor Kesner

Congratulations and good for you! You have just given a dog a brand new life - may you share many happy years together. This list has been prepared in order to help you to get off to a good start and PREVENT problems. I suggest that you use this list for at least 2 months while you are building a relationship with your new friend.

1. Make a list of what you WANT your dog to do, and a list of what you do NOT WANT your dog to do.
2. Have a family meeting, set the rules (for dogs AND humans) and stick to them from Day #1.
3. Do not let your new rescue dog practice anything that you do not want them to do for the rest of their lives.
4. Build a relationship with your dog, built on trust.
   a. Use POSITIVE methods and comments and thoughts.
   b. PREVENT problems rather than PUNISH after they happen.
   c. Do not SCARE or CONFUSE them.
   d. Rather than "NO" - show them what you DO want.
5. Give them a new start - don't keep referring to past life - i.e., "he was abused", "he hates kids" - be POSITIVE.
6. Use a QUIET voice.
7. Assume ANYTHING could happen: Could run off, could jump up, might have accidents in the house -PREVENT.
8. Spend some QUALITY TIME each day.
   a. Massage ears, back legs and rump daily.
9. Do not let your new dog follow you everywhere. Make a specific "away from you" area, and a sleep area. Use a crate if your dog is used to one.
10. Exercise is a DAILY event. Running, swimming, or playing with other dogs are great.
    "A TIRED dog is a good dog, an EXHAUSTED dog is a GREAT dog"!
11. Dogs off ALL furniture - HUMANS (child and adult) off the FLOOR.
12. Feed your new rescue dog AFTER the humans have eaten, and pick up bowl after 10 minutes - done or not.
13. While humans eat, dog is in crate, outside or in another room.
14. Never CHASE your dog.
15. Never GRAB things from your dog's mouth - TRADE for something BETTER.
16. Resist the urge to play TUG with your new rescue dog.
17. IGNORE attempts to get your attention (paw, bark, whine) unless your dog NEEDS something (to go out, etc.).
18. 30-50 foot leash or rope on AT ALL TIMES OUTSIDE until they EARN the right to be off leash (i.e., comes!).
19. Clear the floor of human "things" - rotate dog toys, 2 at a time.
20. New rescue dogs and CHILDREN are not to be left ALONE. Adults must supervise - children may help train the dog.
21. New rescue dogs should not "wander" around the house. Keep them with you, on leash, or in a secure area without you.
22. Enroll in a POSITIVE obedience class with your new rescue dog - helps you to work as a TEAM.

CALL YOUR RESCUE LEAGUE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM

DON'T WAIT - THEY'RE THERE TO HELP!

© 1997 JMK

108 NEWBURYPORT TURNPIKE, ROUTE 1

ROWLEY, MASSACHUSETTS 01969 (978) 948-5353