Up to now 20 years, we’ve confronted down and debunked quite a lot of rescue canine myths, and we wish to set the document straight on just a few misconceptions about these lovable little goofballs.
Our rescues deliver endless pleasure and humor into our lives and, as life unfolds, extra grief than I care to confess as we finally need to allow them to go.
However we, they usually, are higher for it. I’ve zero doubt.
So if you’re on the fence about rescue canines, please learn on – the next comes from 20+ years of choosing up strays and bringing them house.
Key Takeaways
- Debunking rescue canine myths can encourage adoption and save lives
- Correct details about rescue canines is crucial for forming lasting bonds
- Understanding rescue canines’ backgrounds helps adopters make knowledgeable choices
Our most up-to-date rescues – Amber and Pepper
This got here up lately, this previous Father’s Day, as my spouse and I have been coming back from our favourite BBQ place. We have been driving on a four-lane divided highway, and visitors was stopped in each instructions.
We have been about 4 or 5 vehicles again from the entrance, and we might see little legs strolling within the headlights forwards and backwards throughout the highway. A few stray canines.
Folks being in a rush, or simply not caring, have been honking and yelling at them and driving round them. No one stopped.
Aside from us, in fact.
This goes an extended approach to explaining why we’ve got a home filled with canines.
My spouse was driving, so I jumped out alongside the highway and ran as much as the place the canines have been. Seems it was two emaciated Pitbulls. I kneeled down on the facet of the highway and referred to as them, and with none hesitation in any respect, they each bolted over to me and cuddled round my legs. They have been terrified.
I sat down with them within the moist grass alongside that busy highway till my spouse might swing the truck round. It took about 5 or 6 minutes, I suppose, however in that point, I bonded with these two in a approach that’s nonetheless extremely sturdy right this moment.
We loaded them into the again of the truck and took them house.
They’d been on the highway for some time; one had dangerous scabs on her again. Each had fleas. Each have been tremendous skinny.
I’m unsure how lengthy they’d been out on their very own, however I might hazard a guess that they may not have lasted for much longer.
Right here they’re the evening we introduced them house (they stayed within the storage for just a few days till the flea scenario cleared up):
Amber and Pepper – rescue canines on the primary evening
They cleaned up properly, although. After the flea therapy and a month or so of excellent meals, train, and playtime with the remainder of our pack, they’re now full-fledged members of the JollyMutt goofball dogo society:
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Pepper and Dexter hanging on the deck
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New rescues with one in all our older ones
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Pepper and Amber, wanting completely happy and debunking all rescue canine myths!
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There are three rescue canines on this pic, can you discover them?
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Amber stole any person’s mattress!
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Amber chillin’…
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Right here’s why we rescue…
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Amber one way or the other did this to herself
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Nearly unrecognizable from the primary day we obtained her. Lovely pup
These two have built-in properly into our pack and added to the enjoyment we really feel each day hanging out with them.
They’re great canines and have made a beautiful addition to our pack. I already can’t think about life with out them in our home.
If we had been misguided by the favored myths round rescues, we could have pushed previous them as effectively. I’m so glad we didn’t.
Rescue canines typically have a detrimental status as a result of numerous myths and misconceptions surrounding them. These baseless notions generally discourage potential adopters from offering a loving house to those deserving animals.
Adopting a rescue canine could be a life-changing expertise for each people and canines. It’s essential to separate truth from fiction and debunk these myths that stop loving connections from forming.
When contemplating adoption, it’s essential to precisely perceive rescue canines and the fact of their backgrounds and conduct.
By dispelling the false details about these animals, you may make extra knowledgeable choices and create lasting bonds with their new furry companions. With so many rescue canines ready for perpetually properties, shedding gentle on these widespread misconceptions can save numerous lives and produce pleasure to households.
Understanding Rescue Canines
What’s a Rescue Canine?
A rescue canine is a canine that has been positioned in a brand new house after being deserted, uncared for, or abused by its earlier proprietor.
These canines are taken in by rescue organizations or shelters, receiving care and a focus till they discover a loving and appropriate perpetually house.
Rescue Canines – Misplaced Canines and Stray Canines
Rescue canines can come from numerous conditions – some could have been misplaced or deserted by their house owners. In distinction, others could also be stray canines with no identified historical past.
These canines want care, love, and a brand new house in each instances. Shelters and rescue organizations typically work collectively to offer a secure atmosphere for these canines and assist them discover properties the place they will thrive.
Misplaced and stray canines appear to be our specialty. To my information, we’ve got by no means really gotten a canine from a shelter. We’ve all the time picked them up from the facet of the highway, or a area, or a swamp.
I do know that my spouse and I going to a shelter could be dangerous – we’d find yourself with dozens of recent canines.
Rescue Canines vs. Shelter Canines
The principle distinction between rescue canines and shelter canines is the group that takes care of them.
Rescue teams sometimes give attention to particular breeds or are breed-specific rescue teams, whereas shelters, typically run by native authorities or non-profit organizations, look after a variety of canine breeds and different animals.
Each rescue teams and shelters share the identical objective of discovering loving properties for the canines of their care.
Rescue Canines vs Purebred Canines
One widespread fantasy is that rescue canines are much less high quality than purebred canines from breeders or pet shops.
This perception couldn’t be farther from the reality. In reality, many rescue canines are purebred canines surrendered by their earlier house owners.
Now we have run Embark DNA checks on two of our canines, they usually have been real, 100% “Pitbulls”; by that, I imply they have been American Pit Bull Terriers. We rescued them collectively; they appear alike and are greatest pals, so we all the time puzzled in the event that they have been really from the identical pack or if, by likelihood, perhaps a mom/son pair.
Seems, DNA checks confirmed they have been brother/sister.
Right here they’re:
By adopting a rescue canine, you possibly can nonetheless discover a particular breed whereas offering a loving house to a canine in want. Moreover, there’s no assure {that a} purebred canine from a breeder or pet retailer shall be more healthy or higher behaved than a rescue canine.
With correct care and a focus, rescue canines can lead simply as completely happy and fulfilling lives as their purebred counterparts.
Essential Dates for Rescue Canines
A number of dates to remember if you’re concerned with rescue canines:
- Nationwide Rescue Canine Day (Might twentieth): Supposed to deliver consciousness to all of the great canines in shelters throughout the nation who’re nonetheless ready for his or her perpetually house. Many shelters will maintain particular occasions on at the present time.
- Dogust 1st (August 1st): That is the celebrated birthday for all these rescue canines who don’t have an official birthday! I like this concept. Additionally, August is the month of the canine, with many different dog-related days to recollect:
- August 4th – Assistant Canine Day
- August fifth – Work Like a Canine Day
- August tenth – Spoil your Canine Day
- August fifteenth – Nationwide “Test the Chip” Day
- August twenty third – Nationwide Blind Canine Day
- August twenty sixth – Nationwide Canine Day
Myths and Misconceptions
Fantasy: Rescue Canines are Broken Items
It’s a standard false impression that rescue canines are broken items.
Many canines find yourself in rescues as a result of circumstances past their management, corresponding to their earlier proprietor’s lack of ability to look after them or a change in dwelling scenario.
Canines turn out to be misplaced or strayed in some ways, maybe simply straying too removed from the household automobile whereas Dad was pumping fuel. Or leaping a fence throughout a storm. Nothing unsuitable with the canine; it simply discovered itself in a nasty scenario.
These canines are sometimes loving and well-behaved, and even when they aren’t, don’t they at the least deserve an opportunity?
Fantasy: All Rescue Canines are Unhealthy
One other fantasy is that every one rescue canines are unhealthy and sick.
In actuality, most don’t have any sicknesses, and people normally have minor, simply treatable points.
Rescue organizations work arduous to make sure the canines they look after obtain correct medical therapy and are wholesome earlier than discovering them perpetually properties.
Lots of the canines we discover have fleas, and we’ve rescued just a few with heartworm, which finally ends up being costly to deal with (Amber and Pepper each have them!) and requires a prolonged keep in a crate. Nonetheless, we don’t thoughts a bit.
Fantasy: Rescue Canines are Untrainable
It’s additionally false that rescue canines are untrainable.
Like some other canines, most rescue canines reply effectively to constant coaching, endurance, and optimistic reinforcement.
Some could even have prior coaching from their earlier house owners or foster properties, making it even simpler to show new behaviors.
You Can’t Discover Particular Breeds in Rescues
Opposite to fashionable perception, many rescues have particular breeds out there for adoption.
Breed-specific rescues exist, and even common rescues could have quite a lot of breeds of their care. So, in the event you’re set on a specific breed, don’t low cost rescue organizations as an possibility.
Rescue Canines are All Problematic
One other false impression is that every one rescue canines include behavioral or emotional points.
Nonetheless, most rescue canines are loving, pleasant, and well-adjusted.
Some could require time and endurance to assist them overcome any lingering anxiousness or belief points. Nonetheless, with correct care, they will flourish of their new properties.
Rescue Canines Are All Older
It’s not true that every one rescue canines are older in age. Whereas many grownup canines want properties, loads of puppies and younger canines can be found for adoption by means of rescue organizations.
You Received’t Know a Rescue Canine’s Historical past
Some potential adopters fear about not figuring out a rescue canine’s historical past.
Nonetheless, many rescue organizations have foster packages, that means the canines are cared for in a house atmosphere, and their foster households can present priceless info on the canine’s character, habits, and preferences.
If you happen to choose up a stray, you should have zero information of its historical past, that means it might have come from a loving household or been abused. Its demeanor in the direction of you and the way it reacts to sure issues will present clues.
All Rescue Canines Are Abused
Not all rescue canines have skilled abuse. Many come from loving properties that might not proceed caring for them.
Moreover, rescue organizations work tirelessly to rehabilitate abused canines and assist them turn out to be loving, loyal companions.
We had one rescue, Jake the ridiculous Pittie, who was petrified of rakes. Brooms, shovels, axes, and so on and so on, didn’t hassle him. However let him see a rake, and he was working for the hills. I shudder to consider what could have occurred to him up to now.
Rescue Canines Are Much less Wholesome
The assumption that rescue canines are much less wholesome than these bought from breeders or pet shops is one other fantasy.
Rescues typically make sure the canines of their care obtain thorough vet checkups, vaccinations, and essential medical therapy. Therefore, their general well being is well-monitored and maintained.
As talked about earlier than, choose a canine up off the road, and its well being could also be problematic. It’s one thing it’s important to cope with. Discover a good vet.
Rescue Canines Are Not Good with Youngsters
Lastly, it’s not true that rescue canines are usually not good with youngsters.
Many rescue canines are wonderful household pets who type sturdy bonds with youngsters.
As with all canine, it’s important to correctly supervise interactions between youngsters and rescue canines to make sure everybody’s security and luxury.
Our rescues, from the dreaded Pitbull to Rottweilers, Dachshunds, Dobermans, and so on., have been superb with youngsters and grandkids.
Continuously Requested Questions
Do rescue canines know they’re liked?
Sure, rescue canines can acknowledge and perceive when they’re liked and cared for.
As you present them with constant affection, consideration, and care, they are going to really feel your love and develop belief and a robust bond with you.
Do not forget that each canine is exclusive; some could take longer to regulate to their new atmosphere. Nonetheless, your endurance and love will go a great distance in making them really feel welcome.
Do rescue canines bear in mind and miss their house owners?
Rescue canines can bear in mind and miss their earlier house owners, particularly if there’s a sturdy connection (good or dangerous).
Nonetheless, canines have a outstanding capacity to regulate to new conditions and environments.
As you construct a loving relationship together with your rescue canine, they are going to be taught to belief and bond with you, finally changing any earlier attachment.
What to not do with a rescue canine?
Once you deliver a rescue canine into your private home, there are particular issues you need to keep away from.
Ensure that to show them to a couple new experiences at a time; give them time to regulate.
Keep away from punishing them harshly or utilizing detrimental reinforcement. As a substitute, give attention to optimistic reinforcement and set up a constant routine.
Don’t drive them to work together with different animals or individuals if they appear uncomfortable; give them house and time to heat as much as new experiences. Some good meals, clear water, a comfortable mattress, and a few chew toys will go an extended approach to serving to the canine regulate.
It’s possible you’ll wish to give them a quiet, remoted place for some time, to allow them to regulate at their very own tempo. Now we have a room in the home with double French doorways, all glass that turns into their place. This fashion, the opposite canines can see and scent them, in order that they get used to one another a bit earlier than we allow them to into GenPop.
How do you train your canine to play good with different canines?
To show your canine to play properly with different canines:
- Begin with managed, optimistic socialization experiences.
- Organize playdates with different well-behaved canines or attend obedience courses the place they will meet new canine pals in a structured atmosphere.
- Use optimistic reinforcement to reward good conduct and step by step expose your canine to totally different sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
Do canines want a pack chief?
Canines, by nature, are pack animals and profit from having a robust, clear chief.
Establishing management together with your canine helps them really feel safe and perceive what is anticipated of them. Be constant together with your guidelines and bounds and display calm, assertive power as their chief.
Having a pack chief will guarantee a balanced, well-behaved canine and foster wholesome, mutual respect between you and your furry member of the family.
That is an important level – YOU are the pack chief. Not the most important canine or the neatest canine. The human should lead the pack. When you may have that nailed down, every part else falls into place.
Wrapping up Rescue Canine Myths
I hope that helps a bit.
If you’re available in the market for a brand new pooch, I encourage you to go to your native shelter.
If you happen to discovered a stray, I hope you’re ready to present it an opportunity at a contented life with you. If not, and I completely perceive, I hope you’ll find any person who can. Take a look at our article on what to do while you discover a canine for assist.
Blissful Dogging!
- American Kennel Membership (AKC)
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
- Atlanta Humane Society
- PAWS Atlanta
