Purebred Rescue Dog Adoption: Rewards and Realities

147 Pages·2004·1.75 MB·English

by  Liz Palika

PUREBRED
RESCUE DOG
ADOPTION
REWARDS AND REALITIES
Liz Palika

PUREBRED
RESCUE DOG
ADOP TION
A L P
LSO BY IZ ALIKA FROM
H B H :
OWELL OOK OUSE
All Dogs Need Some Training
The Australian Shepherd:Champion of Versatility
The Australian Shepherd:An Owner’s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet
The German Shepherd Dog:An Owner’s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet
PUREBRED
RESCUE DOG
ADOPTION
REWARDS AND REALITIES
Liz Palika
Copyright © 2004 by Wiley Publishing,Inc.,Hoboken,New Jersey
Howell Book House
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Palika,Liz,date.
Purebred rescue dog adoption:rewards and realities/Liz Palika.
p.cm.
ISBN 0-7645-4971-5 (alk.paper)
1. Rescue dogs.2. Dog adoption.I. Title.
SF428.55.P35 2004
636.73—dc22 2003016101
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
C
ONTENTS
Introduction VII
1 Too Many Dogs and Not Enough Homes 1
Dog ownership has increased in the United States,but so has
the number of dogs given up by their owners.
2 Purebred Dog Rescue 7
Purebred dog rescue adoptions can take some of the pressure off
local shelters and make it easier for purebred dogs to find new
homes.
3 Is a Rescue Dog Right for You? 15
Adding a dog to your family is a big decision;make sure you
think it through.
4 The Adoption Process 26
A rescue group can help you find just the right dog for you
and guide you through the adoption process.
5 Before You Bring Your New Dog Home 37
Make sure your house,yard and family are ready for your dog
before you bring him home.
6 The Big Move 46
You,your family and your home are all new to your dog.Help
her make this transition.
V
vi Contents
7 Building a Relationship 55
Your new dog doesn’t become your best friend automatically.
You need to build a relationship with him.
8 Introducing the Dog to Your World 62
A happy dog is acclimated to the sights,smells and sounds of
the world around her.Take your rescue dog to meet the neigh-
bors and explore her new town.
9 Housetraining Your Rescue Dog 70
Many rescue dogs are well housetrained,but some need a little
remedial training.Handle it with care.
10 All Rescue Dogs Need Some Training 80
Training is an important part of building a relationship with
your new dog,as well as teaching her how to live in your
house and behave with people.
11 Working Through Problem Behaviors 91
Almost every dog has one or two behaviors that their owners
would like to control or change.
12 Aggression 107
Aggression is a catchall phrase for behaviors that could be
threatening or dangerous.
13 When It Just Isn’t Working 118
Sometimes a newly adopted dog just doesn’t fit in with his
new owner and family.How to make the decision to give the
dog back to the rescue group.
14 Do You Want to Do Rescue Work? 122
Purebred dog rescue can be very rewarding volunteer work,but
it can also be heartbreaking.Here’s a look at what’s involved.
Appendix:Internet Resources for Purebred Dog Rescue 128
Index 131
I
NTRODUCTION
Watachie was a purebred rescue dog.He and his littermates had been
abandoned in a rural area and survived by eating road kill.The four sur-
viving puppies (at least three had been hit by cars) were taken in by
German Shepherd Dog Rescue,as the puppies appeared to be German
Shepherds and, to be honest, one of the group’s volunteers had a soft
spot for puppies! Infested with internal parasites,suffering from bron-
chitis,skinny and wary of people,the puppies were not in the best of
shape.I adopted one of them only after the rescue volunteers warned
me of the special care he would need.
As he grew, it became very clear that he was, indeed, a purebred
German Shepherd. He was handsome, quick thinking, funny and
wanted to please me. He thrived in obedience training, competed in
Frisbee contests,learned to pull a wagon and learned agility on a police
dog obstacle course.He became a certified search and rescue dog,and
with an AKC ILP (Indefinite Listing Privilege),earned his Utility Dog
title with several High in Trials and High Combined Scores.
Even though I had owned dogs before,I had never had a relation-
ship with a dog like I had with Watachie.I was the center of his universe;
he made me feel like I was someone worthwhile and incredibly special.
Watachie died too young,at the age of eight,leaving me with a gap-
ing hole in my heart.But looking back,I know he accomplished what
he set out to do.Not only was he a wonderful companion,but Watachie
showed me my life’s work. I found I enjoyed training dogs and loved
teaching people how to train their own dogs.My article about Watachie
and his early death was my first published article,and the responses to that
article were my first “fan mail.”I learned my writing could touch peo-
ple.And, because of Watachie, I found out about purebred dog rescue.
Because ofWatachie,dogs became my calling,my joy and my profession.
Thanks,Watachie.I miss you still.
Love,Liz
VII