Real-life case stories about rescue dogs adjusting to new homes and overcoming problems such as fear, reactivity, separation, guarding and lack of trust. See how I have helped rescue dogs and their families build confidence and enjoy life together.
Why do some dogs completely lose control the moment the doorbell rings? I would say Defe is a Foxhound crossed with something else. Wonderful ears! She was found as a stray puppy in Cyprus and then spent several months in kennels before being shipped over to the UK. She is Read more
Why do some rescued dogs become increasingly fearful of people as they get older? He was found as a 6 week old puppy on a motorway in Miami with a tight rope around his neck. His spookiness probably has a genetic component. In the circumstances it seems likely that four Read more
Why can some rescue dogs become desperately distressed whenever they’re left alone? Little is known about German Shepherd Cross Molly’s past. She has been in the rescue centre for some months and kennelled with the company of another dog; it is evident she has had puppies. She is a young Read more
How do you help a lively rescue dog who seems to have no impulse control at all? They have had two-year-old Lurcher Lena for four weeks. There is no history of her previous life. She is a delightful dog, full of character – friendly and funny, but will be a Read more
Have you recently adopted a rescue dog and want to help them settle in from the very beginning? Tommy is delightful – a small Staffie mix aged eight. He has had a hard life but landed on his feet a few days ago in his new home with two older Read more
I took him to the front door but only when he was ready to come willingly, and opened it. We didn’t go out immediately – just stood there, waiting for him to relax. The lady and gentleman stayed behind in the hallway, watching.
I then stepped out a couple of steps, turned around with a bit of verbal encouragement and walked straight back in through the door again. I must have done this about ten times. Now Jack was visibly relaxing – particularly as there had been nothing other than a passing car to worry about and he barely looked at it. He was beginning to trust me – just a little.
Because of the excessive pulling, screaming, flipping over and freaking out when they encounter other dogs, they have tried all sorts of gadgets of ‘force’ I would call them. Contraptions to make Ivor unable to lunge, to force him to ‘behave’.
These have included a prong collar (disapproved of in this country), and various types of lead including an elasticated slip lead and ‘no-pull’ harness.
Zorba was found as a stray in Crete and was brought home by a family who unfortunately couldn’t keep him. He and one of their dogs fought to the extent they had to be kept apart.
The big problem is that the two dogs don’t understand one another. Jet will be giving all the right signals and body language that he wants to be left alone, but of course blind Max can’t read them. Jet can’t know this.
In the most important weeks of her early life she wasn’t exposed to people. Or everyday things like vacuum cleaners and possibly other dogs. She has a lot to get used to. She is very scared when people visit, barking and backing away. On the left you can see her hanging back, her puppy curiosity trying to get the better of her sensitive wariness!