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​FOTD RESCUE DOG

SUGGESTED BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATIONS

​FOTD BEHAVIOUR SPRAY - EXTREME ANXIETY - SUGGESTED BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATIONS

(In addition to vist our FODS Shelter Initiative where you will find articles aimed directly at adopting shelter dogs and how to help them to settle in)

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Offering a home to an adult shelter dog, is to me at least, one of the most rewarding experiences that a person can have. Not only have you got yourself a wonderful new companion, you have taken a dog from a stressful situation, and perhaps even saved it from an untimely end, and we have nothing but utter admiration for those that take this route. However, are you really prepared for this new arrival?

When we take a pup into our homes, we are presented with a clean slate, and it is how we interact, socialize and train that pup which will produce the end result. Yes, there is always the aspect of nature (personality, genetics, etc) interfering in our nurturing attempts, but overall the possibility of a successful outcome is high if we do our side of things in the correct manner.

An adolescent or adult shelter dog is a totally different kettle of fish, as the saying goes. The dog may have ended up in a shelter due to its owners relocating, downsizing etc, but so often the dogs we have worked with that were rescue dogs, ended up in the shelter due to a myriad of behavioural problems. What makes this especially sad is that if the owners had more knowledge of their dogs and how to handle them, so many of these abandoned dogs would have become well behaved members of the family rather than end up as a statistic. This is one of the main reasons that we decided to create the FOTD website, Friends of the Dog – to give people the knowledge they required and to assist new owners with the integration of the new dog into the home and help resolve and prevent behavioural concerns. . 

Our own experience of working with a shelter dog is that when it first comes to the new home there is what we refer to as the ‘twilight period or honeymoon period’. This is a time period of approximately 3 weeks wherein the dog seems to settle well, is reasonably well behaved and the behaviours that caused it ending up in a shelter seem to either be put ‘on hold’ or have disappeared altogether. So often after the 3 week period is up, these dogs slowly and surely start to exhibit the unacceptable behaviours that ended them in the shelter in the first place, and this is when the trouble starts occurring.

We believe that as we have the 16 week opportunity of teaching our new pups absolutely everything and anything we can think of, so too do we, as owners of rescue dogs, need to put as much effort into the initial few weeks/months that the dog is with us as possible, to make the transition easier and reduce the chances of problem behaviours occurring, especially the first 3 weeks.

If we bear in mind that this dog has already had its own experiences, some of which may not have been pleasant, has ‘learned’ behaviours, often developed to cope with its previous home, is definitely traumatized to some degree by being in the shelter, then we can look at the dog with a new appreciation and understanding.

One of the best tools I have ever come across is the Rescue Dog Spray and if every single person who went to the trouble of adopting from a shelter just brought in the use of this amazing spray, then we are sure that not only would the dog settle quicker, many unnecessary behaviours which are stress induced could have been avoided. The Rescue Dog Spray targets and helps to overcome behaviours such as:- mental and emotional anxiety, any fears the dog may have in general, fear based on their past association with people, dogs that appear to be sad, depressed, seem to have shut down - fear of being touched and dogs that appear to be over sensitive., dogs that are desperate for owners approval and go OTT. In general, just about everything one finds with a Rescue dog. 

What we need to bear in mind is that when we are very stressed, our bodies release a hormone called ACTH which actually blocks learning. By lowering the dogs stress we are not only helping the dog to cope and adapt - we are making it easier for the dog to learn new and more appropriate ways of behaving. 

So, what do we do? (and please do visit our FODS Shelter Initiative fore more detailed information)

• As much as you want to hug and love this new dog and show him/her how happy you are that it has become part of your family – go slowly! This dog apart from the stress of being in a shelter for a period of time, could have other stress factors that neither you or the shelter know anything about. ​
• Don’t bring the dog home and bombard it – allow it to sniff around outside and inside and let it settle itself as much as possible. Place some food and water in a position the dog can see and smell it, but don’t try to force it to eat. Put down a blanket, or crate with perhaps some rawhide chew toys on it and for the first 24 hours just allow the dog to come to terms with the new environment. As people, all dogs are different and some may settle down and act like they have lived in your home all their lives, but others will take a bit of time to adjust. It is important to ‘go with where the dog is at’, as we say in TTouch, so by all means, call the dog to see if it will go outside with you to inspect the toilet area and sniff around, but work at the dog’s pace. It may take a little longer, but you will be ensuring that the dog is not further stressed and will make the integration easier. ​
• If at all possible, find out from the shelter what brand of food is being given and at least for the first week or two stick with this, and also what times of day the dog is fed. This will ensure that some of the dogs previous routine’s are being met and reduce stress. Additionally by feeding the same food for a week or two, if there is any tummy upset you will know immediately that this is not related to the new food, so better to give your vet a call to see if necessary to take the dog in. Our own vet always says 'if in doubt check it out!) ​
• Right from the beginning the dog must follow the same rules as for the rest of your dogs, or if an only dog, lay down the do's and dont's right from the beginning. Doing this will avoid confusion at a later stage and form good communication between you. Do read the articles on House Rules in the FODS Shelter Initiative for some guide lines.  ​
• If the dog is not used to a collar and lead, then the sooner you start the better. Here is a link to an article on Putting on a Collar and Lead which will give you all the tools you require.​ ​
• If you feel you are not coping or there are behaviours already in place that you are not happy with, then do call in a professional to assist you, and as soon as possible - the last thing you want for both you and the dog is for it to be returned to the shelter - heartbreak for the family and a possible untimely end for the dog. You are welcome to contact me at [email protected] for a consult and if I am not in your area, I will refer you to a behaviourist close to you or visit www.animal-behaviour.org.za

​Basic TTouches to relax your dog. It is my belief that if each and every owner learned the basics of TTouch our animals world would be a much better place!

Until you learn how to do TTouch (and Scotty does offer lessons), here is an Ear Touch you can use as well as some basic Acupressure stroking techniques  - both of which, especially when done daily, will help to reduce your dogs stress levels. Although you are not doing actual Acupressure, just stroking in these areas with your fingers - using a gentle pressure, will help to reduce anxiety. 
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 EAR TTOUCH
Stroking the ear as described, is one of the most important things you can do for your pet. Even a few minutes working on the ears can be beneficial. The ears (and base) contain over 200 acupressure points which will help a pet (or human) relax and stroking the tips of the ears can actually prevent shock. The Ear TTouch is also great for all stress, digestion, fatigue, circulation and car sickness.

HOW TO
Gently stroke from the base of the ear to the tip. Supporting the head with one hand hold your thumb on the outside and bent fingers on the underside and stroke outwards towards and over the tip of the ear. 

HERE ARE A FEW ACUPRESSURE STROKING TECHNIQUES THAT WILL ALSO LOWER STRESS

Yin Tang. This is found in the midline of the head just above the eyes. Stroke gently from the middle of the muzzle area and between the eyes and will feel a slight indent. This helps dogs with mental focus and clarity.

Yang Tang – This is found about one fingers width on the outside of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet. Helps with fears and anxiety and anxiety related behaviour such as excessive barking to mention just one. Just stroke gently in this area. 

GV20 – Found in the middle of the top of a dogs head about halfway between front edges of the ears. If your dog has a prominent occipital bump, it will be just in front of this. This is one of the main calming points on a dog and helps to calm the mind. Great for fear, anxiety, reactive behaviour. After stroking over the Yin Tang area, you can just continue stroking between the eyes and over the top of the head. 

Behind the ears - the above diagram does not show this position, however just run your fingers gently behind the ears, from top to bottom. As you go to the bottom of the ear at the base of the neck, following the line of the ear, you will feel a bit of a dent - stroke back and forwards over this area. This is GB20 and very good for stress.

Bai Hui – dogs love having a good scratch in this area – they know better than us! It helps to generate energy along the spine and hind legs so great for helping older dogs. Also a very good calming point. You will find this in the middle of the back, between the hips (sacrum area) and the area feels flat to the touch and you can’t feel the spinous process underneath.