There is a fashion in dogs - well there are a few fashions, but let’s stick to this one for now - that because you have a big heart, and go all gooey inside at the thought, you can pluck a dog off the streets of some foreign land, park it in your living room, and everything will be FINE.
Just seeing that written down shows how nonsensical this may be!
If you adopted a really, really difficult child, one who’d been abused, abandoned, kicked, starved, injured . . . and all the rest, would you expect this child to settle immediately into your family, enjoy school, and never give any problems of any kind?
Of course not!
You’d know that you’d need specialist training, help from professionals. That this child may wring your heart out and leave you desperate.
You would not expect him to fit seamlessly into what we may consider a civilised, well-regulated, life.
What’s sauce for the child is sauce for the dog!
So your damaged street-dog, captured, uprooted from somewhere he knows (albeit possibly a very unpleasant place), transported by strangers thousands of miles in the back of a lorry, is likely to be a bundle of nerves when he arrives in your country.
Add to this that many of the people doing this rehoming have zero training in how to manage damaged dogs, and may resort to yet more brutality and chastisement . . .
When the dog you want to help actually arrives with you, he’s a mess.
All is not lost
This is not to say that things can’t be turned round. I work with many students who’ve found themselves - all unwittingly - in just this situation.
Their generosity has resulted in them taking an unsuitable animal into their home.
And I’m happy to say that in all the cases I’ve worked with, we’ve managed to make huge progress!
While the dog may never be what others may expect of a dog - lollopy, easy-going, loves everyone, enjoys everything - the owner learns so much that makes the whole enterprise rewarding for both human and dog.
It’s all about connection, and the relationship of mutual trust they build.
And, if you take the trouble to learn what these people did, then you too can have a great outcome, with many years of companionship ahead of you!
“He has certainly blossomed from the abused boy he was when he was first fostered! What you taught us about walking on leash, meeting other dogs etc. made a lot of sense and following your advice has worked wonders for our walks - we both now enjoy them and he is a lot less nervous. Once again many thanks - you have been a brilliant help and a breath of fresh air!” ML
“.. when I got him he was scared of everything. Thank you so much for your support which has enabled me to train a 4 year old rescue sprocker the way life should be - fun and running free.” CF
“Your training is great and makes a lot of sense. Thanks again, what you’re doing is great, you can feel so isolated with these issues and you are providing a much-needed lifeline for people. Every time I read these lessons I get a renewed sense of calm and my resolve is strengthened. This support is helping me to really focus on helping my little rescue dog. Thank you Beverley, you are amazing.” EO
“This is a radical change in attitude, thanks to you, and has led to an improved relationship.” AH
Want to get some of what they got?
You can start with this free Growly Dog ecourse, enjoy our free Masterclass for anxious dogs
