Big Day

• FFTF rescues literally hundreds of dogs per year
• European rescue centres, charities and Kill Stations
• Some have been treated with shocking cruelty and many abused
• Some dogs have been pets, others we know very little about
• Some returned from other adopters, bereavements, etc.
• All dogs will have been vet-checked, spayed/neutered (not puppies), flea treated/wormed, vaccinated and chipped
• Will have passport/vaccination record
• They may have been travelling for over 1 week!

Time

• Settling in takes time days/weeks not hours (don’t invite friends/family/budgies round yet!)
• Up to 2 hrs per day for walks depending upon breed
• Time every day with your dog for training, play, bonding
• May take more than 6 months to get “the dog you expect'”

New Routine

• Are you prepared to get up when the dog tells you?
• Going for walks in all weathers? Rain? Wind? Snow and Ice?
• Now you have to consider if venues are dog-friendly and if the dog will cope?
• Your dog is now part of every plan you make!

Work/ Time out of house

• If you work, who will be with the dog?
• How long will you leave dog alone?
• For 1st week or so, 100% attention needed or suffer the consequences!

Parenting

• Cleaning up after your dog accidents * poo/wee/vomit
• Damaged possessions and furniture
• Fur everywhere (clothes, carpet, furniture)
• Embarrassing behaviour
• Dog smells indoors, messy car…

Sleep

• Dog may whine/bark/howl all night!
• Will you stay up for as long as it takes?
• No more lie-ins!
• Do you have neighbours? How will they react to your dog’s noise?

Finances

• Adoption fee
• Pet insurance &/or Vet bills
• Flea treatment, wormer, etc
• Trainer/ Behavourists/Dog sitter/Dog Walker?

Resources

• Collar, name tag, harness, lead & slip lead
• Food, treats, bedding, toys, bowls
• Crate recommended

Backup

• Friends, family, neighbours, etc?
• Holidays or occasional days away? Christmas? Shopping?
• Working from home or away?
• Unexpected emergencies? Jury Service?

Arrive very tired

• They may have been travelling in a van for up to 3 days with lots of other dog
• Dirty/Smelly!

Arrive Disoriented

• They will be scared/terrified
• They will be confused
• They will know nothing and nobody.
  
  

They may not want to eat, drink, sleep or toilet

• Expect it to take UP TO THREE DAYS JUST TO GET OVER THE JOURNEY!
• They won’t be themselves – give them time, peace/quiet and space

You should anticipate your new dog to:

Have never lived in a house before

• They are NOT likely be house-trained
• May go to the toilet in-doors at first!

Not be trained

• They will know NO commands
• Will not understand a word you say!
• Will not know their name
• Will have NO RECALL at all…

May not have been on a lead-walk before

• Likely to be scared of traffic, strangers, other dogs, plastic bags, etc
• Likely to pull on a lead or try to escape
• Very sniffy
• Won’t engage with you or take treats

Warning

• Adopting a puppy is a 24/7 commitment
• Some dogs still behave like puppies up to 18 months.
• If they are not asleep, assume they will be getting into trouble!
• “They take more time than kids!”

Your dog will be very nervous and lack confidence

• Fight, flight or avoid
• May initially favour 1 person in the household over others
• Give your dog lots of time Slowly, slowly, slowly…

Inside the house (NB Not house trained!)

• Take them into the garden FREQUENTLY or risk accidents!
• Start simple commands (No!, Good boy/girl)
• Will not respect/understand boundaries
• Will “explore” any open door, work-surfaces, cupboards
• May pick things up or chew them

Outside

• Spend time with them in the garden first
• DON’T LET THEM OFF THE LEAD! They will NOT have any recall
• Likely to react to people or other dogs especially those off-lead
• Likely to be scared of traffic; lorries, motorbikes, dustman, etc.

Your dog will be less nervous and gain confidence

• More playful and engaged. Naughtier?!
• Eat, drink and sleep more
• Improved trust of all people in the household
• Slowly, slowly, slowly…!

Inside the house

• House training?
• INFREQUENTLY accidents (hopefully)
• Boundaries understood (if you have been clear what they are)
• Start basic training (sit, wait, lie down, off, good boy/girl)
• Practice lead walking

Outside

• Improved lead walking in the garden using treats
• Start recall training in the garden using long training lead
• Try to find other dogs to go on walks with to improved sociability
• Understand/anticipate reactivity to other people or dogs
• Understand/anticipate scary environments

Your dog should now be confident

• Established routines for eating, drinking, sleeping and toileting
• Understands name and some basic commands
• Responds equally well to everyone in the household
  
  

Inside the house

• Respectful of all boundaries
• Introduce all new commands indoors first. Reward with treats and/or toys
• Trained NOT to respond to visitors, postman, etc.

Outside

• Improved lead walking on walks, taking treats, good eye contact/ “checking-in “
• Continue recall training in parks/on beach using long training lead
• Practice all commands in all situations
• Introduce dog to normal (human) social situations (pubs, restaurants, etc.)

Your dog should now be confident

• Knows name
• Has all 4 feet under the table!
• Eager to be with you
• Keen to learn new commands

Inside the house

• Calm, relaxed, respectful of rules

Outside

• Good recall established (need constant
  practice in all situations)
• Sociable with people and other dogs is possible depending on the dog’s temperament and training that you have done.

FFTF

• We have years of experience and expertise
• Access to local vets

Online

• Absolute Dogs (force-free training)
• Facebook Groups – From Foster to Forever (Happily Adopted)
• From Foster to Forever (Rescuing Dogs) “Files” page
• Trainer3Style Community
• Dog Training and Support Group
• Other recommended local dog trainers and behaviourists
• YouTube – Nigel Reed, Diary of a Rescue Dog