All About Rescue Dogs

May 18, 2023By Sally Hayler

At Benyfit Natural we love all dogs, but we know some dogs don't get the best start to life, or due to circumstances their pet parents are no longer able to care for them and they can end up in a Rescue Centre. Yaz from Yorkshire Pooches not only has her own rescue, but cares for rescue dogs daily and she's going to be sharing everything you need to know about rescue dogs, from settling them at home, to how to choose the rescue dog for you, over to Yaz...

Rescuing has to be one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, Peggy is my Romanian Rescue and she has come on such a huge journey since she first landed here in the UK. My first dog Snoopy was also a rescue from Dogs Trust and we were his 3rd home!

Along with this I have fostered several Romanian Rescue Dogs and have picked up some tips along the way. So you could say I’m a big Rescue Dog advocate to say the least, but this has given me first hand perspective on adopting from the UK and Overseas, both which present different scenarios to work through together.

UK Rescue Dogs

There are many rescue centres in the UK, all doing what they can for dogs that are strays or surrendered. The dogs in UK rescue centres may have come from a loving home, but unfortunate circumstances meant they were surrendered to a rescue, this may have been due to work commitments, finances or change to living situations. Perhaps this dog was found straying and would therefore have no known medical history. UK rescue centres, such as Dogs Trust work tirelessly to find these dogs good homes, dogs will be treated, cared for, fostered into homes if they don't settle in kennels and the right homes found to ensure dogs aren't rehomed again.

Overseas Rescue Dogs

This dog may have grown up on the streets and then ended up in a public or private shelter. A shelter can provide the basic necessities, but they may struggle with overcrowding and limited resources for things such as training, vetarinary care or grooming. These will be interchangeable scenarios, but considering emotional history is vital to setting your new rescue dog up for success. A big component of this is allowing time and space for decompression.

Decompression

I know all too well how exciting it is to have a new arrival, their crate or bed set up with fresh bedding, you've got their new toys ready, and the freezer is stocked up with Benyfit Natural. You have eagerly poured over pictures and videos of your new dog, counting down the days until you can bring them home. However we have to put our wants aside, and prioritise this vital stage of settling in your new dog.

Rescue Dogs have no comprehension that they are starting their new life with you, they may be deep in fight, flight or freeze response and act out of fear. Excess adrenaline and cortisol is corrosive in the body and one of the easiest ways to support the body during this time is through sleep. Adequate sleep allows their body an opportunity to detox these stress chemicals, we all can appreciate how things seem much clearer after a good night's sleep! Looking to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) you can support this stage with cooling proteins by feeding treats and food including duck, goose, rabbit and turkey.

The Rule of 3

3 Days - Overwhelmed and or shut down in their new environment. At this stage they can be a big flight risk and actively seek shelter away from the hustle and bustle of the house.
3 Weeks - Beginning to settle into their new environment and still learning the home routine. As they get more comfortable, behavioural issues may start to show up around this time.
3 Months - Gained confidence in family unit, routine and home environment. Building a trusting and loving bond with their pet guardian.

Tips for Settling Rescue Dogs

Crate Train

A crate with a blanket over it is the perfect hide away when your rescue dog needs some time away from the noise of the house. Treat this as their safe space that they can have access to at all times. It will also allow them to decompress after a walk and encourages them to have a deeper sleep, which we know allows them remove excess adrenaline. This is a great training tool and my rescue Peggy moved from a crate to soft dome beds to achieve this safe space long term.

Interaction Consent

Learn to respect your rescue dogs boundaries, and keep pet parents, children and other animals in the house safe. A dog that is shut down may only let you touch them as they are experiencing a freeze response, not because they consent to the interaction. 3 seconds light touch, then removing your hand allowing this pause for processing, then repeat. If your new dog removes themselves during the pause, they no longer consent to touch and you should give them a break.

Make sure to keep an eye on your dogs body language when you're giving them fuss. Whale eye (dogs showing the whites of their eyes) is an easy indicator that your dog is feeling uncomfortable, and it's your job as their owner to stop touch and allow them time to decompress.

Touch can be gradually built up to gentle massage over time, which helps create that positive association with hand contact and build a bond.

Low Level Background Noise

A gentle radio station such as Classic FM has a nice combination of gentle music and light chatter. This general background noise throughout the day will allow your dog to adjust to household noise, whilst also allowing them to settle and not be startled by any sudden noises. My foster dogs took really well to me reading to them, a way to gently co-exist in the same room and begin to build that bond. This is also a great way to involved children who are wanting to help out with this decompression period.

Bond with Food

The way to many dogs hearth is through their stomachs. Make sure you're using their daily food allowance for bonding sessions, either through hand-feeding or training.

When raw feeding this can be done by using either disposable gloves, feeding tubes or just a thorough hand wash after feeding. You can also use training treats like the Benyfit Bites to build that bond further on walks and at home.

How to Choose a Rescue Centre

It's important when making the choice to rescue a dog that you are supported from the charity or centre that finds your perfect four-legged friend.

Does the rescue have a registered charity number?
Do they offer ongoing support and rescue back up if the dog needed to be put back into care?
Can they assist with ongoing training?
Does the application process feel thorough enough? Multiple visits should be standard, and in some cases with very nervous dogs a home visit may also be required
Veterinary care is given and recommended. Your dog should arrive with you will all necessary vaccines and any medical treatment given and clear to you before you take them home.

How to Choose a Rescue Dog

It's important to be honest with yourself before taking on a new pet, especially a rescue dog about your lifestyle. How much will you be home, how often and how long can you walk your dog, are you financially able to support your dog, are your family and friends supportive of your decision and can you commit to the time needed to settle your dog into their new home which in some cases can take months to years.

There is a rescue dog for everyone, whether you're looking for a younger athletic dog or would prefer the calmness of an older companion. If you have the time and experience with owning a dog you could also take on a dog that may have higher emotional needs and need extra training support.

The rescue centre you choose, whether in the UK or overseas should fully vet you before recommending any suitable dogs, and multiple visits will be required to bond and decide whether you and the dog are the perfect fit.

It's important when choosing a rescue dog to be open-minded on breed as many can be mis-understood or perhaps the breed you may prefer physically isn't the right fit for your lifestyle.

Adopting a rescue dog can come with so many challenges, but take it at their pace and you will be onto a winner.

Continue to support your dog after their initial settling in phase with species appropriate nutrition, compassion, kindness and massage.

Yaz (+ Peggy)
Yorkshire Pooches Therapies
Canine Wellness Expert

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All About Rescue Dogs

UK Rescue Dogs

Overseas Rescue Dogs

Decompression

The Rule of 3

Tips for Settling Rescue Dogs

Crate Train

Interaction Consent

Low Level Background Noise

Bond with Food

How to Choose a Rescue Centre

How to Choose a Rescue Dog

Benefits of Raw

20% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER

Natural Raw Dog Food

Raw Food Calculator

Transitioning to Raw

Planet Friendly Packaging

Our Ingredients

Benefits of Raw

20% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER

Natural Raw Dog Food

Raw Food Calculator

Transitioning to Raw

Planet Friendly Packaging

Our Ingredients

All About Rescue Dogs

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