Tips for Choosing a Rescue Dog

Photo by Pranidchakan Boonrom from Pexels

Throughout the country, there are rescue centers with dogs ready and waiting to be adopted by a family and to become part of their lives. There are many good reasons to get a rescue dog as your next pet, and of course, providing an animal from the shelter with a loving home is a rewarding experience.

Deciding to get a pet is never a decision to take lightly, and there are many important considerations to take into account. All pets are a big responsibility, and this is a fact that should not be forgotten.

Before you look for a rescue dog you should:

Think about how much time you have free to offer a dog, will it be left for long periods while you work?

Will you be able to cover vets bills, food, insurance etc.?

Do you already have a dog, and will it be upset by a new arrival in the family home?

Consider what breeds of dog are best suited to you, do you like to go on long walks which you could take your dog on too?

Would you prefer a puppy or an adult dog?

Would you like a pedigree rescue dog so that you can be better informed about the dog’s characteristics and traits?

Would you prefer to have a long-haired dog or a dog with a short coat?

How much time would you have each day for grooming a long-haired dog?

Image: Pixabay

Questions to Ask the Dog Rescue Center:

How and why did the dog end up at the animal rescue center?

What does the center know about the dog’s past, was it mistreated in some way or abandoned, or has the dog’s owner passed away, or become unable to care for it?

Has the dog already been spayed or neutered? (some rescue centers automatically do this, so it is worth checking with the staff when you visit).

Do they know what breed the dog’s parents were? (This could provide you with more of an insight into the dog’s character traits, as well as indicating how big the dog will grow to if it is a puppy).

Does the dog have any ongoing or current health issues?

Choosing to bring a rescue dog into your life is an incredible thing to do, but there is much to consider before you head to the shelter to see all the dogs.


Bear in mind that a rescue dog is likely to be affected by its past treatment, this may mean that it will struggle around other dogs, either by being aggressive or timid. If the latter is the case be sure to understand how to break up a dog fight, and in the unfortunate event that your dog suffers an injury ensure that you register with a vet. If a human is hurt then after seeking medical advice a dog bite attorney may be able to help.

Remember that past mistreatment may mean that it takes a while for your new dog to realise that you can be trusted, so patience is crucial.

Make a Shelter From 3 Items and Survive the Storm

To make a shelter from 3 items

Make a fast emergency lean-to shelter

Items needed

You’ll need at least one item from each list below

1. Tarpaulin or Plastic Sheeting or Large Leaf Garbage bags (all of these items are on the list above and should be rolled tightly and packed in the Bug-out bag)


2. Twine or light rope, shoelaces work in a jam

3. A tree branch you can reach that is long enough for the shelter roof. Or a rock wall overhang or 2 to 4 long poles about 6 to 8 foot long cut from tree saplings

Find a tree branch or rock overhang that is tall enough to reach and has a flat open area on the ground below.

To Make the Shelter

Open the tarp or plastic, lay flat on the ground.

Using the twine, tie 2 of the corners of the opened flat tarpaulin or plastic sheet to the tree branch or use a heavy rock to tie to and set on the rock overhang then use rope or twine to secure the rock in place.

Long poles cut of tree saplings also placed against the rock wall will work. The poles can be put in the ground to make a lean too if the ground is soft enough.

Stretch the tarp out and to the ground for a sloped roof lean-to shelter. Use stick stakes or heavy rocks to hold in place.

Make as secure as possible with extra twine, rocks or stakes.

Lay another tarp, plastic sheet or garbage bags on the ground for a protective waterproof barrier.

Make the underside into your camp.

Hint

Face the doorway or open side away from prevailing winds and storms; usually they come from the west. South facing to the east is a good choice for most parts of the USA.

Learn more in my book 

Evacuate with Your Dog's Help-Survival Bag List

Visit www.Familydisasterdogs.com for more cool ideas !

Look for us on Facebook! Family Disaster Dogs (page and group)

My Puppy Can Find Me-children's book

This children's picture book is the most important lesson every child with a dog should learn to avoid every parent’s worst nightmare.

“What to do if your child is missing."

As of Jan 2021 this book is only available from the author via the contact page above.

By reading "My Puppy Can Find Me" picture book with your children the whole family will learn what to do if they are ever separated or missing, and how the family dog can be of assistance during emergencies.

Children will learn valuable lessons by doing these fun exercises that reinforce and teach the pet dog and family to work together during crisis situations to overcome fear and survive.

The whole family learns how to use the family dog to the full advantage regardless of the age, size or breed of the dog.

As a family member and part of the pack your dog always knows where each member of the pack is at, this is natural for the dog to know and we as dog owners only need to learn how to take advantage of this natural instinct our dogs possess.

This children's picture book shows the whole family, young and old, how to use the average family pet as your own hero dog and search dog.

"My Puppy Can Find Me" ebook and picture book is based on the original "Family Disaster Dogs" book (available on Amazon) by former Search Dog trainer and Bloodhound breeder Amber Higgins in the USA.

With artwork and illustrations from U.K. Dog Cartoonist Helen "Scotty" King.

The valuable lessons you and your children can learn are:

1. Young children learn how to tell the family dog to "go find parents"

2. Children learn to wait in one place and play a game until adults find them (we cannot find a missing child if they keep moving away from the searchers, its best to teach children to sit and wait)

3. Parents and older children learn how to tell the dog to go for help and find missing loved ones.

4. Parents learn to ask the dog to find anybody

5. Any age or size dog learns to go to family members or friends upon command like police and military dogs do.

This skill can be used for carrying objects to a person or as a messenger dog.

6. Any dog learns to show you how they can track a missing human pack member and find loved ones with these easy fun game like lessons.

This book is for children 3 and up!

This child version of the Family Disaster Dog book has easy to read familiar words and fun illustrations for your child to learn as they read.

A note from the author
I want to help dog owners and friends of dog families avoid every parent’s worst nightmare. What to do if your child is missing.

Our dogs know where we are every moment and when we leave the house they long to follow us. Our dogs do find us when we open the door. Our dogs can find whoever has left the house, yard or pack, if we dog owners know how to ask. Let us show you how to ask any dog to help you.

The more we share this valuable information, the more children and missing persons we all will help. Thank you in advance for reviewing, liking and sharing so others can learn too ! Amber

Visit the sit to teach your dogs to rescue your family, Family Disaster Dogs

Got An Anxious Pup? Here Are Some Tips For You

There is nothing as upsetting as seeing either your children or your dog is stressed out. When you don’t know how to help the situation can get worse pretty quickly. Firstly it is essential to recognize when your dog is anxious, opposed to having something wrong that needs the vet's attention.

 

Photo by Burst from Pexels

Classic signs of anxiety in a dog are:

• Tucking their tail in
• Pacing and panting heavily
• Not looking directly into your eyes
• Trembling and shaking
• They may go off their food too
• They may begin to eliminate in the home
• Occasionally this may be displayed aggression
• Sometimes they also become destructive

How To Help A Dog With Anxiety

Much like humans, dogs respond great when they feel they are being taken care of. Here are a few things that you can do to help your best buddy relax in times of stress.

Toys - You can pick up some hard wearing dog chew toys to give them something - rather than your shoes or skirting board. Dogs have a lot of energy and one of the ways that you can help them channel that fundamental need for safety, stimulation and energy placement is with toys. They can go back to that toy whenever they need to, think of it like a ‘blankie’.

Supplements - There are many people who just don’t want to dose their dog with medicines from the vet. If that sounds like you, then you might like to look into evening primrose oils and CBD oils. Both of which have a good reputation for helping dogs, you can check out more recommended reading and see what might work for you both.

Be calm - Dogs are very in tune with their owners. They respond to both positive and negative emotions, likewise for stress and calm. If you take a few deep breaths and be as calm as possible, they will begin to feed on your demeanor. It sounds very simple, but think about how often we as humans display stress by seeing our pets stressed. Talk to them in a steady tone, calm and a lot of reassurance.

Hug it out - Just like when you are upset, a big hug from someone you love releases all sorts of stress-reducing hormones, the same goes for your furry friend. Grab a big blanket, and get cozy with your dog. Combine it with a soothing voice. Once you see any of the signs for anxiety try and use the same blanket over and over. This will train them to associate the blanket with a calm time. They might even begin to take the blanket to you when they (or you) need it.

Walk - Dogs usually have a lot of energy to expel, so get your trainers n and go for a walk. Not only is it good for you, but it’s great for them too. Walking, or running will let them burn off tension in the form of movement. Even playing with a ball in the garden is likely to have great results. 

Learn to read your dog's body language, but if you are unsure, or think they may be in pain head to your vets for a chat and some peace of mind.