New Adopters Guide- Dogs

A New Leash for Life Rescue

New Adopters Guidance- Dogs

  Background information 

All of our dogs are rescued from lives we want them to leave behind; whether born on the streets, abandoned by previous owners, rescued from life on a chain or behind bars in a public shelter. A lot of our dogs have been through hell and suffering before they are rescued, fostered and finally adopted so having a lifelong home filled with love and care is what we want for all our dogs and what we expect our adopters to provide.We and our rescue partners with the help of our fosterers do not go through all the effort and heartache to save and start to heal them and start to show them trust and commitment only to be let down again.

When you adopt one of our rescue dogs you understand that this is a commitment for the lifetime of your dog and that you will welcome them into your home to become one of the family.

Depending on their individual backgrounds some of our dogs may enter their new home and settle down like they’ve always been there, others may take some time to adjust and settle in their new surroundings. They will need patience and understanding as they learn to adjust to living in a home environment and to become confident with all the new sights, sounds, smells and expectations put on them. Just like people they will adjust at different rates so it is important to be prepared for some ups and downs as your new companion settles and bonds with you.

We have produced some guidance and information for helping with what you need to get for your dog; settling your new dog in and our expectations as a rescue.

There is an expectation that all adopters will agree to our Dog Adoption Agreement when adopting one of our dogs and we will ask you to sign this when completing the adoption of your dog.

Equipment needed 

Essentials:

Collar with ID tag engraved with your telephone number, house number and postcode; 

slip lead;water and food bowls; dog bed; dog food; dog toys; training treats; Poo bags, carpet cleaner; puppy pads. Dog shampoo, Brush.

Recommended:

Some chew toys (helps with anxiety when left alone) 

a well fitting harness, preferably a 3 point harness. We do not recommend Julius type harnesses particularly for anxious or flighty dogs

a crate of the right size will provide a safe environment for your dog to sleep and travel

Long line lead so that you can let your dog have a good run around,without fear of escape. Ideal for the first few days in the garden while you get to know each other 

GPS trackers are also a great idea.

Feeding your dog 

Before you make arrangements to collect your dog from their foster home, it is advisable to discuss with them what brand of food and quantity the dog has been fed and stick to this diet for the first few weeks so as to keep as much as possible the same whilst your dog settles in and avoiding upset tummies.

Please introduce new foods slowly, monitor how much your dog is eating as well as what comes out the other end! There is a huge choice of food available; if you do decide to change their diet, be careful not to overfeed or introduce a food that may increase energy levels as this could also lead to anxiety.

Collecting and arriving home with your new dog

When collecting your new dog, you must take a collar with an I.D tag and a slip lead as this is the safest way to move your dog from the foster home to the car. Your dog’s fosterer has been instructed not to allow the dog to leave unless you arrive with these and fitted on your dog before leaving.. Your new dog may be frightened or anxious and might try to escape so, please be extremely careful. 

Please ensure your dog is safely restrained in your car, preferably in a crate; if not in a  crate then you will need a harness and safety belt with someone sitting with them on the back seat. Some of our dogs may never have traveled in a car and may be frightened; could leap around or escape when you try to open the door. 

Rescue dogs are known for being escape artists and for attempting to run away if they feel scared. There are plenty of stories of our dogs jumping 6/7 ft fences easily. This is not to make you feel worried or put you off, but to be prepared and know all the possible scenarios. 

All new dogs should be put on a long line OR a slip lead (but not an extending lead) for their first few explorations into the garden. This is for back up; should your dog get too adventurous and you need to stop them quickly. We recommend you do not leave your 

dog unattended in the garden for at least one week. 

We recommend a lot of positive reinforcement whilst out in the garden with your dog, offering tasty treats which encourages them that being around you is good!

Introducing resident dogs 

If you already have a resident dog, they should already have been introduced during your meet and greets with your new dog so should at least be familiar with them. 

If possible, keep your resident dog inside and just allow your new rescue to have a good sniff around the garden for a while. They will probably be frightened and need to gain confidence before meeting other dogs. When you feel they are ready, let your resident dog into the garden but try not to restrain them on a tight leash unless absolutely necessary. Give lots of praise to both dogs. Try not to raise your voice and stay as calm as possible. 

We would recommend removing any favorite toys or blankets to reduce the risk of jealousy and upset between the dogs in the first few days. 

The dogs may not bond straight away but don’t be disheartened, just give them time. Some dogs may take a few weeks to accept their new arrival. Please try to always give equal fuss/treats and always feed your dogs in the right order with the resident dog always being first, so they learn to respect this. 

Introducing cats and other pets 

We do not recommend adopting a dog to live with cats unless they have been cat tested. If you have a resident cat, please introduce your dog and cat/cats very slowly and don’t overload your new dog with introducing them to every other pet in the home immediately. 

A safety gate that they can see through but not access is a useful tool. Many of our adopters try to give the cat upstairs and keep the dog downstairs, so that both feel safe in their separate zones. Do not ever introduce them in open spaces where the dog can immediately give chase and ensure the other pet feels safe or can escape easily if frightened. 

NOTE: Even if we advise that a dog has been ‘Cat Tested’, we cannot guarantee how they will react to your specific cat in a new home environment. In our experience, pets will find a new pecking order and will adjust their behavior accordingly, but please take precautions and be prepared that it may take time for all animals to adjust and get used to each other.

Small furries, Birds and other pets- Most dogs will show some interest in small furries and birds; some rescue dogs may have a high prey drive particularly if they have lived on the street and had to fend for themselves. Please ensure any other pets are kept in very secure housing and your dog is introduced to them very carefully and when supervised even when in their cages or enclosures. Ponds should be fenced off or covered with secure, strong mesh.

Introducing children and other family members 

We will always endeavor to make the perfect match and advise during contact if we think your family is suitable for the dog you fall in love with, but every dog/person relationship is unique so we can never be 100% sure how a dog will react towards new people in a new environment so we ask that you are aware of the potential risks to any children.             NEVER leave any dog with children unsupervised. 

It is very important for all family members to attend a meet with any potential dog, especially children so that their interaction can be observed and suitability of the dog fitting in with all family members can be assessed.

When introducing your potential dog to any children please do this carefully and always under strict supervision.

Please ensure your children know some basic rules before meeting a dog or when you take it home: 

Tell your children to stay calm, not to jump around or make noises and not to run, or the dog is likely to become more excited/agitated and may chase or nip. 

Make sure your child / children never approach the dog whilst it is in his own bed or crate, whilst it is asleep or whilst there is food around that he might feel the need to protect. 

Also please don’t ever allow your child to climb on, restrain the dog against its will or kiss the dog on its face. 

Even puppies as cute as they are, may have had to fight for food, they also have a tendency  to mouth or nip when they are playing or when they are teething.

Sleeping arrangements 

Our advice is to start as you mean to go on. It is completely up to you where your new dog sleeps, but if ultimately you want them to sleep downstairs, then don’t cave in and let them sleep in your bedroom on the first night or it will just make things harder. Dogs learn by conditioning and repetition. . 

They might cry as they are in an unfamiliar place and they have no idea who you are, everything is so new to them. Be patient with them. 

Expect the first few nights to be difficult, whilst your new dog settles and learns where they should sleep. They will learn very quickly, so do try to stick with it if you can. If your preference is for your dog to sleep downstairs then it may be beneficial to sleep downstairs for a couple of nights to get them settled.

** If you do allow your dog to sleep on your bed, then please watch out for any signs of guarding that may develop, particularly if you have young children. Not allowing dogs on beds and furniture is part of boundary training and helps the dog understand their place in your family ‘pack’. You must be consistent in approach **

  House training

Prior to foster care, most of our dogs have never lived in a house and therefore had no restrictions about where and when they can relieve themselves. 

Whilst in foster care many of the dogs will have begun house training; some are clean from the minute they arrive into foster care and others may take longer to get the hang of going outside at certain times. If you are adopting a puppy, it is unlikely that they will be completely house trained if at all; it will be dependent on how long they have been in foster and on the individual dog. Be prepared for the odd accident even if your dog was house trained with their foster. They need to learn where to go, adjust to your routine and you need to learn their signs.

Our advice is the same as puppy training. Take your dog outside regularly (and always  straight after eating, or when they have just woken up) , use a key word and then stay with them outside until they have done a wee, then immediately give lots of praise. If you do this consistently, they usually learn pretty quickly. 

If there are accidents in the house, make sure you clean the area properly as dogs often return to the scent. If a habit is forming, try to block access to that area until your dog is housetrained. 

Taking your new dog out 

Some of our dogs may have begun lead training whilst in foster care and others may not have been ready depending on how long it takes for them to feel confident and trusting of people. Some dogs take to a lead quite easily and others take more time and patience just to get them used to a lead. Whatever stage your dog is at with lead training, it will all still be new to them and will require ongoing training to get them walking well and responsive on a lead. 

Even if your dog has been walking out on a lead in foster care, we recommend that you do not take your dog out for a walk for at least a few days, the most important thing in the first few days is that your dog bonds with you. It won’t do them any harm if they only use the garden for a few days. 

When you are confident your dog is starting to settle and bond with you and you take them out on a lead for the first few times, please make sure that your dog is wearing their collar and I.D tag and have a well-fitting harness and lead or a collar and lead as well as a slip lead. 

Until you and your dog are more familiar with each other and you are more aware, how your dog reacts with traffic, pedestrians, bikes, walkers, other dogs, cats and unfamiliar noise; a slip lead is essential to ensure the safety and security of your new dog. 

Training

All dogs no matter what age will require ongoing training because most will have little or no training prior to arriving with their foster. We highly recommend training classes even for adult dogs as it aids with socialization, control and obedience.

Teach your dog basic commands and use positive approaches to training. 

A well behaved, happy dog is one that can please you; knows what is expected of them and is given clear and consistent instructions.

Training your dog and giving it clear boundaries will reduce the potential for negative or unwanted behaviors in the future. Take the time to learn how dogs communicate and be aware of signs of distress or anxiety so that you can intervene and reduce any need for your dog to feel the need to become reactive.

Dogs will only learn how to behave well if you teach them. Dogs learn by being given clear, concise and consistent instructions either using hand, body or voice indicators that are repeated. If you take the time and put in the effort from the start you are far more likely to have a more rounded, happy and responsive dog.  

Letting your dog off the lead 

Before ever considering letting your dog off the lead, you need to make sure that your dog has fully settled in their new home and bonded well with you.They need to be responsive to recall both in the home and garden and when out on a long line. Always try them a few times in an enclosed area so that you are confident that if they are not responsive, they are at least still safe. 

Only when you are 100% sure your dog will come back, despite distractions of other dogs, wildlife etc. do you let it off the lead. 

Some dogs may never be able to be let off the lead safely unless in a secure area. 

There have been too many times that people have let their dog off the lead without following the above instructions and the dog has got distracted and taken off; this can be a dreadful experience for both the dog, their owners and the Rescue who have a great emotional interest in all of our Adopted dogs, it is also completely Avoidable. 

Having any of our dogs out on their own and lost can put them at great risk; once they are in flight mode, they will run from everyone; even those they know most and it could take several days to catch them; they may have to be trapped or worse still they could get fatally injured.               

Leaving your dog alone 

We recommend that you try to stay at home with your new arrival for the first few days to settle them in and get them used to their new surroundings. When it comes to leaving the house and leaving them alone for the first time, we ask that you do this very gradually and make sure you leave them in a safe place where they can’t escape, or cause any damage or injury to themselves. 

Start with popping out and come back in. It needs to be normal for you to be coming and going. Then stand outside for 5 minutes and come back, build this up as necessary to suit how your dog is behaving when you are going out. Some dogs can develop separation anxiety, we ask you to have a read up on this to get an understanding. 

Try leaving the radio or television on for them, this can help comfort them. Also leaving a Kong Toy stuffed with something yummy for them to munch on or toys can help distract them from you not being in the house. Please again remember it can take time for them to settle and understand you have not abandoned them and you are coming back. 

Some of our rescue dogs may have been abandoned by their previous owner, so they may think they have been abandoned again. Please think about how they may be feeling.

No dog should be left alone for 4 hrs without some provision for them being checked on, let out to the toilet and provide some company. Trustworthy friends, family, neighbors, dog walkers/sitters or doggie day care are appropriate options for adult dogs; however, puppies should not be left for frequent periods of several hours as they need company and ongoing training. Puppies will get lonely and bored and likely destructive and vocal without frequent interaction.

How long should it take for your dog to settle

When your new rescue dog arrives, this can be a very exciting time for your family and you probably cannot wait to settle them in, play ball with them, take them for walks and show them off to your family and friends. However, it can take several days or even weeks for your rescue dog to start to relax and get used to their surroundings. *(Please see 3-3-3 Rule Diagram on pg. 14)*

They may not have ever played with a ball, been walked on a lead or even been in a house before. They still may not be used to the sounds or sights of a TV, radio, dishwasher/washing machine or hoover.

Let them get used to you and their environment at their own pace and only when they seem more confident with you and trusting can you start to introduce going out, meeting new people, going to new places etc

We suggest you bring them into your home and let them explore their new surroundings as calmly as possible. Please provide them with an area in a quiet corner of the house,that is their space; where they can retreat to and feel safe and will be left alone. We advise using a crate with a blanket draped over it and a nice comfy bed, with the crate door open. 

Please don’t be upset if your new dog does not want to slobber you in kisses or is not jumping up at you for affection, as it can take a few days for them to come round to you and understand you are not going to hurt them and that they are safe with you. Please limit your visitors for a while. Whilst we know your friends and family will be keen to meet your new arrival, we suggest you wait until they have formed a trusting relationship with you first. 

Try and assume the role of a calm teacher. Please ensure all new introductions are done calmly and give your dog time to de-stress before you overwhelm him with too many new things at once. 

 Taking your dog to the Vet 

We would suggest you give your dog time to settle into your home, before you even consider taking your new dog to the vets. They have been through enough upheaval and need time to get to know you first. 

The vets can be a scary environment, so it is best to wait until they trust you and are able to cope with the car journey, sit in a waiting room and be happy to be handled and examined by strangers. 

Of course, if there is an emergency then they must go but for general things such as registering them, general health check or itchy skin etc. please allow them time to settle and get advice over the phone from your vet or contact the rescue if you are unsure. 

Pet insurance 

Unless you are able to afford the cost of veterinary treatment or any potential 3rd party claims, we advise that all dogs are insured with a comprehensive policy as soon as possible once adopted. 

Vet bills are expensive and can soon mount up quickly so Insurance is really important, especially as most of our dogs have little or no history. It is important to be covered for unexpected medical costs which may arise if your dog is ill or injured and also for 3rd party claims should a dog cause damage to someone’s property, cause an accident etc... 

If you don’t agree with pet insurance, please make sure you have adequate funds in place as vet costs can easily escalate into the £000s depending on what issues may arise. 

Once you adopt your dog, you understand that they become your responsibility which includes all the associated costs of owning a dog including feeding and grooming, insurance and veterinary treatments. We are reliant on donations to fund veterinary treatment for any of our dogs in foster, we cannot assist financially with any costs once a dog leaves our care.

***Please note*** Almost all insurance policies have an initial 14 day period where your dog would not be covered, so it's important that you take out insurance as soon as possible and read the small print about when you can start to claim and for what conditions you are and are not covered for under your policy. 

Neutering

As a rescue we do NOT agree with breeding, there are enough unwanted and abandoned dogs both in the UK and from abroad where we rescue. Most adult dogs will already be neutered but generally puppies will not be neutered when offered for adoption due to their young age.If you adopt a puppy you must have in mind they will need neutering and you will need to have the funds available to pay to get them neutered. 

**All puppies must be neutered as soon as possible when they are old enough** 

Most puppies can be neutered from the age of 6 months, although some vets may advise that females are allowed to have one season and then neutered mid cycle which is 3 months after their first season. Some vets may advise that Large breed dogs are not neutered until at least 1 year. If you adopt a puppy you will need to have a conversation with your vet and decide when is the best time to neuter them.

Please take precautions with any female pup in season, ensure they are not put at risk of being mated. Whilst in season don't walk them in known dog walking areas where there is a risk of meeting other dogs that may be entire and never risk letting them off the lead.

You must update the rescue once your dog/ puppy has been neutered, failure to notify us may result in us requesting proof of neutering. If there is a medical reason for not neutering you must also inform us. Refusal to get your dog neutered will result in a breach of your adoption contract and we may insist that the dog is returned to A new leash for life rescue.

Passport and Microchip Registration 

Your dog will already be microchipped; this is a small implanted chip with a unique 15 digit number which is registered under A new leash for life rescue with UK Database provider Pettrac on arrival to the UK.

We will update your dog’s microchip, adding you as the new Owner once adopted, the rescue’s contact details will always remain registered on their microchip as a safeguard measure for our dogs. Once registered you will receive an email from pettrac to confirm your details and create an account. You can then download a certificate.

Once we have updated your adopted dog’s microchip with pettrac we will post their passport to you. The Passport will contain all vaccinations required to travel as well as microchip number, blood test results along with any neutering information, are usually on the last page. Please keep this document safe. 

Pre travel Preparations

All of our dogs rescued from abroad will have undergone a period of preparation and possible recovery prior to them traveling to the UK. As you can appreciate many of the dogs that we rescue are not found in the best condition when they are rescued; depending on the condition of each dog when found, various treatments, supplements and even surgeries may have been administered to bring the dog back to the best health possible before they are deemed fit to travel to the UK. 

Some dogs may be completely physically healed from any illness or injury; others may need some ongoing after care or medication even after arrival to the UK. In some situations it is far better for a dog to see out their treatment and rehabilitation in a home environment rather than a shelter. Where a dog has had known surgeries or requires ongoing treatment this would be disclosed and discussed with you prior to you having to make any commitment to adopt.

All dogs are vaccinated against Rabies, Canine distemper, canine adenovirus, canine parvovirosis, canine parainfluenza virus and leptospirosis. 

All dogs are blood tested using a 4D test for heartworm antigen, Lyme disease antibody, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma as well as testing for Brucella Canis and Leishmaniasis.

Your adopted dog may need to be retested for the latter 2 once in the UK even though they received a negative test result prior to travel. This will depend on which veterinary practice you chose to use. The situation as it stands in the UK is that some vets may ask if they have been tested for their records but not require a retest before treating your adopted dog whereas other veterinary practices are demanding that foreign rescue dogs are retested /tested even to be able to register your dog. So please do your own research on both diseases and find out potential veterinary practice protocols and policies in force in order to register with them.

All dogs will have been wormed and should have received flea treatments prior to travel however as many of the dogs will not have received regular worming until rescued we advise repeat worming with a broad spectrum wormer after 2 weeks; we would advise repeat worming for puppies after 2 weeks and then 4 weekly for the first couple of months before resuming a normal schedule of 3 monthly.

Health and Welfare

We ask that you will do your best to take good care of your rescue dog’s health and wellbeing; ensuring they are loved, treated kindly and with compassion, have a warm bed, good nutrition, exercise, stimulation and ongoing training. 

You need to give your dog regular flea and worm treatment and make sure that booster vaccinations are carried out annually along with a health check. These treatments are necessary to keep your dog healthy.

If your dog is unwell or injured you will seek the advice of a vet and follow any treatments that are recommended to aid their recovery.

Many of our dogs have suffered enough prior to being rescued and it may have taken many months for them to gain their confidence and trust in humans. Some may still be emotionally scarred and show signs of fear in particular situations or when humans react in a certain way. For example: approaching them quickly; touching them whilst they are sleeping; standing over them; backing them into a corner or picking up a broom or walking stick. For some their past experiences may haunt them for sometime but with time, patience and positive reactions and rewards many dogs can learn to leave their past behind them.

Please do some research on reading a dog's signals and ways of communicating particularly in response to fear situations and gain an understanding of fear responses and how to prevent  them. Remember a scared dog who nips or bites, often does so, as a warning because it feels that threatened or scared that it's the only way it can react to get the response to leave it alone! Take things slowly, allow your dog to adjust, don’t throw too many different sights, sounds or smells into the mix at once as this will only make your dog anxious or over-stimulated. 

Do not taunt, harm or neglect your dog or allow anyone else to taunt, harm or neglect them.

  Lost Dogs 

If your adopted dog ever escapes, goes missing or even if you suspect your dog has been stolen it is essential to contact the rescue immediately for support and advice.

We have dealt with a fair few lost dogs, the majority of whom manage to somehow find their way home safely. We have both the tools and contacts to start the appropriate searches. We can advise you what to do initially to give your dog every chance to return home safely. The first few hours are critical; when a dog has been lost for a few hours they can cover a lot of ground and get lost or disorientated. We can contact Pettrac and report your dog as missing so if found and taken to a vet someone should be notified.

We do expect you as the adopters to do everything in your power to locate the dog safely and to follow advice given by the rescue. 

  Keeping us updated 

When adopting one of our dogs we, our rescuers, fosters and other adopters are keen to see how our dogs are doing and what adventures they may have been on so we ask that you keep us regularly updated on how your rescue dog is by posting regular updates on our Facebook Happy Endings page. You will need to become friends with one of the team so they can invite you to join the page. If you do not use Facebook then please make regular contact by email or rescue messenger or with a member of the team by text or telephone. 

Keeping us updated is an essential part of our rescue back up particularly if you are having any behavior issues. It is extremely disappointing when we are contacted by adopters to surrender their dogs when they have not even notified us previously that they are encountering problems so that we can support and advise. 

If you are encountering problems, please do not leave things until they get out of hand and you feel you can no longer cope. We want all of our dogs to be adopted into their “forever homes" so it is imperative that any issues are worked through and you please contact us for advice. 

Rescue Back Up 

A New Leash for Life Rescue provides our dogs with lifetime support, and because we care for all our dogs as well as have an emotional investment in them we provide rescue back up (RBU) and have a Rescue Back Up Policy.

Rescue back up means that we are here to support and advice and of course if the worst happens and you really cannot keep your dog for genuine reasons then we will take your dog back when we have the availability. However rescue back up doesn't mean that you can make unreasonable demands on us; using us as the easy option if things do get tough and demanding we take back your dog immediately without any prior insight to an issue you are struggling to deal with. Surrendering a dog should be the last resort

We do have an amazing network of adopters and fosterers who have lots of experience and are usually happy to share their experiences and advice. We may not be qualified behaviorists, but we have years of experience working with rescued dogs and are always willing to help where we can.

Everyone in the team at the rescue has rescue dogs themselves, all have experience of dealing with varying and complex issues that can arise, so please do speak to us.  You may be requested to seek professional help with some issues or behaviors where we are unable to help resolve them ourselves. 

Ultimately we want all our rescue dogs to be happy in a home where they are shown patience and understanding; are well cared for and loved; treated as one of the family and that they have their home for life. 

We have provided this guidance so you feel well informed and aim to aid your understanding and expectations of providing a lifelong home to a rescue dog and how to deal with certain situations. 

Finally…..

Thank you for choosing to adopt and provide a loving and safe home for one of our rescue dogs and supporting our work.

We wish you every happiness with your newly adopted dog and look forward to seeing how they progress and what adventures they encounter with your updates on our Facebook Happy endings Group page.

THE 3-3-3 RULE

What is the '3-3-3 rule' for rescue dogs? 

The 3-3-3 rule is a general guideline that represents the phases of a rescue dog or common milestones your new dog or puppy will go through… it is the first 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months after bringing your dog home.

Keep in mind that the 3-3-3 dog rule is a general guideline. It will depend on the circumstances when the dog was found, rescued or even surrendered, the dog's personality and background. Some of your dog's history is likely to be unknown.

Give your dog space and allow him to go at his own pace during this honeymoon period. You will look back someday and be amazed at the transformation.