TRAINING YOUR NEW RESCUE PUPPY
Contributed by: erik on Saturday, May 24 2025 @ 08:21 pm UTC
Last modified on Saturday, May 24 2025 @ 04:23 pm UTC
TRAINING YOUR NEW PUPPY OR DOG WHO NEEDS PROFESSIONAL TRAINING HELP? I HAVE ALWAYS TRAINED MY OWN DOGS!
The issue with training has two paths for rescue dogs.
First getting a puppy from rescue, like getting a puppy from a breeder, is always a precarious game. Unless you specifically work with a reputable breeder (some still do exist) you are at the mercy of the dogs DNA. All puppies are cute (they are made that way so you will adopt them), but no two animals, like people, are the same. Taking a puppy from a rescue is an educated guess as to its history. Unlike a breeder who may have been breeding for a specific trait or purpose, these rescue dogs can be basically from any background imaginable. In order to assure yourself of the best chance for success, you have to commit to training immediately.
Puppy training has 2 aspects. First socialization and the second obedience. Each of these traits are taught and are not automatic. Puppies are playful, and many people use that time inappropriately, to the dogs detriment. They fail to socialize them and just play with them in the home or backyard. The family is all the pup knows and before you know it, he does not respond to new people. If you don’t get a puppy in a “star puppy” type class (immediately), you miss the critical time to establish your authority, the dogs social understanding in the people and dog world and you sacrifice critical training and imprinting time with the pup. Once the pup is now 5-6 months old, without training, he has effectively learned to do as he pleases, ignore you, possibly become dog aggressive and is well on his way to becoming anti social.
These negative traits can potentially be avoided by training and imprinting obedience and recognition of your authority. There are going to be times when this ‘shelter puppy’ has in his dna such a severe set of inherent issues, that regardless of the training intensity, just can’t meet the standards of a well adjusted and well behaved dog. Some puppies can be mentally deficient, both from breeders or from the pound. As an owner you need to recognize traits and identify areas where the dog needs more robust training and guidance. Not all dogs can be saved.
When it comes to an adult dog new to your home, you have to assess the dogs personality and temperament. Some dogs have been mistreated and may be reactive to certain stimuli. A good rescue will assess temperament, dog on dog friendliness, and general traits. These dogs may be suitable for high drive activities, or possibly to be best suited for a calm home, and everything in between. By meeting the dogs, listening to the rescue or shelters assessment, you can best decide if that particular animal is right for your home and family.
Once you have chosen your ideal dog, your job is now to train him. All dogs can learn. Some learn differently than others. Some are food motivated while others use play as a reward mechanism. You need to decide which element of your dogs personality is going to make him responsive to you, such that you can communicate with him at a level he can understand. Rewards like treats and other positive forms of reinforcement work on dogs whose orientation is ‘food centric’. Some dogs just could care less. These higher drive dogs get more out of throwing a ball, or getting a physical reward than food. Once you find the trick, now you have the key to success.
Getting your dogs in a social class where the reward is in line with his motivation, will allow you to achieve faster results. The axiom is “the greater the distractions in training, the greater the learning”. When a dog needs to watch you and listen, albeit with some things and dogs in the distraction mix, your will find the dogs learning curve is far faster and more permanent than static training. I recommend social classes where 5+ dogs are present, and the training is always done on neutral ground.
Once your new dog recognizes your authority (as the benevolent dictator) you can begin to frame the behaviors you want far more effectively than without that focus. There is no right or wrong way to train, but without distractions and the ability of someone else to assess your technique, you will miss the boat on getting your pup in line in a timely manner. Training where someone else holds the leash is not only ineffective but detrimental to your ability to take over as pack leader. Always hold the leash and get instruction from a qualified instructor.
Many teachers are really not skilled in all breeds. A trainer who specializes in basic commands and has never dealt with problem dogs, is who to avoid. A trainer who wants to train your dog in obedience in your home, needs to be avoided, unless that is to modify a specific behavior .
All dogs need to respect you and to communicate with you to get trained. They don’t speak English and don’t know you or your family. I have other articles on training tools and techniques which are also a good reference. The right tool is needed to get the desired effect.
