Congratulations on your adoption of a rescue animal! It takes a very special person to step up to this rewarding and sometimes challenging task.
As you well know, there are advantages to adopting a rescue animal--low cost being one of them. It is important to understand, however, that this advantage is short-lived. Bringing a pet into your home not only implies that you will fulfill your contract with the rescue organization, but also with the animal. This contract implies that you will provide your new pet with quality nutrition, fresh water, shelter, obedience training, and companionship.
With dogs, problems often occur when human expectations differ from canine reality. Your new companion does not instinctively understand "No," "Sit," "Come," "Stay," or any other command. Our canine friends are not bilingual.
Studies have shown that when a dog does not meet owner expectations, the dog is at high risk for surrender to a shelter. This is the same for purebred dogs who are puchased; dogs that are acquired for a neighbor or friend; and rescue dogs. Once you take a dog into your home, you have taken on the responsibility of figuring out and dealing with his canine behavior. If your new companion does not measure up to what you expected, you may need to change your expectations. This way, you will be able to enjoy his good traits and fix or ignore his bad ones. If you find you are having trouble understanding your dog, or he has trouble understanding you, stick with it. Contact a professional trainer for help and follow through with the techniques you're taught--you'll be glad you did. Remember, every dog has the potential to become the perfect companion under the right circumstances.
