Dog Rehoming

Veterinary Care
Although your adopted dog will have had his injections and boosters, it is
vital that you keep these up to date. Register your dog with a local vet and
make sure they send you reminders for your pet’s annual check up and
booster injections. Keep your inoculations card in a safe place so that you
have a record of his booster history –this may be important if you are
applying for a pet passport.
If your dog goes off his food, is drinking too much or too little water, is
sleeping excessively or seems ‘out of sorts’ or lethargic, it is worth taking
him to the vet to have him checked up. Remember your dog relies on you to
take care of him – he is unable to tell you when he is feeling unwell so it is
your responsibility to seek advice if you suspect he is unwell. This may be
easier if he has a physical ailment, such as a limp or perhaps he yelps when
you touch one of his paws, but it is nevertheless vital that you keep a good
eye on him.
Dog Nutrition
Like humans, a dog is likely to enjoy greater health, stamina and vitality if he
is given better quality food. Remember that higher quality food may be
slightly more expensive, but will also be richer in nutrients so your dog may
eat less of it and benefit more from quality ingredients – which helps keep
him healthy and could save you money later on. When you look at the
ingredients list on the side of the can, the ingredients listed first are the
highest in quantity. Meat and vegetables should be high on that list.

Dog Fitness
Your dog will love to exercise and go out on walks and it is up to you to
dedicate enough time to him to ensure his fitness levels stay high. Of course,
all dogs are different and breeds will vary in their energy levels. Don’t forget
that exercising your dog is also good exercise for you, and half an hour or
forty minutes of brisk walking each day will keep you in good fitness too.
Flea Prevention
Dogs and other animals are always susceptible to fleas and ticks so it is very
important to operate a preventative policy rather than allowing your dog to
get fleas and then treating him. The reality is that once your dog has fleas, it
is very likely that you already have fleas and eggs in your home. Once this
happens, you may need to fumigate your home, and treat beds, soft
furnishings, carpets etc. If left untreated, fleas can cause skin complaints in dogs so it is well worth using preventative techniques. You can buy flea droptreatments in the supermarket or from your vet. Make sure you follow the instructions and apply the solution in places where your dog cannot lick the treatment off (Such as at the  back of the neck or base of the tail.)

Going on holiday
You don’t need to give up having holidays abroad once you have a pet dog. However, you do need to make sufficient provision for your dog while you are away. Arrange for a friend or family member to take your dog in for the time you are away – if possible someone with whom the dog is already familiar. If this is not practical, take time to find a good pet sitter, animal, aunt (who will live in your house while you are away and look after your dog that way), or residential kennels. If you adopted a dog from a breeder, they may be willing to take your dog for the duration of your holiday.

Whatever you do, ensure that you leave enough time to put appropriate arrangements in place, and budget for the extra cost of having someone look after your pet
while you are away.

This chapter outlines the main legislation in relation to dog ownership, and
provides a description of your rights and obligations as a dog owner in the
UK.
Animal Welfare Act 2006
As a dog owner you must provide a suitable environment for your dog, allow
him to exhibit normal behaviour, feed him properly, and protect him from
pain, disease, injury and suffering. You must also give consideration to
whether your dog needs to be kept apart or in the company of other
animals. This law prohibits acts of cruelty, dog fighting and neglect amongst
others.
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
This Act provides local authorities with powers to fine dog owners up to
£1000 for failing to pick up dog poo, not keeping their dog on a lead, and
walking dogs on excluded land, amongst other provisions. Not all local
authorities have introduced these provisions yet so check on your council’s
website.
Control of Dogs Order 1992
All dogs in a public place must wear a collar, with your name and address on
it. Telephone numbers are optional, but a sensible addition in the event that
your dog goes missing.
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
You can be sent to prison or pay a fine, and get a criminal record if you
allow your dog to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in a public place or in
other prescribed areas. The penalties are very serious for a dog that injures a
person. This does not mean that a dog needs to be biting people and
running riot –a simple episode of aggressive barking, jumping up at a child
or chasing a person could lead to a complaint being filed – so it is vital that
you ensure that your dog is kept under control. If prosecuted you may have
to pay compensation and/or costs of bringing the prosecution.
Dogs banned under the Act are the Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila
Brasiliero and the Pit Bull Terrier.

The Road Traffic Act 1988 makes it an offence to have a dog on a
designated road without it being on a lead.

The Animal Act 1971
If you allow your dog to cause damage to someone else’s property through
your negligence, you may be liable to pay for this damage.
Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1963
Keep your dog on a lead around livestock. You must not allow your dog to
chase, attack or harass livestock on agricultural land (such as cows, sheep,
pigs, horses, chickens, goats etc.) If you fail to do this the farmer can use
lawful force to stop your dog –and can even shoot him.

Dogs Act 1871
Further to the Dangerous Dogs Act, it is a civil offence (as opposed to
criminal) if your dog is dangerous and you fail to keep him under proper
control – your dog can be subject to a control order or destroyed. You may
be liable to pay costs.

Aggression in a rehomed or rescue dog.
Dogs have a different view of the world to us humans, and what we might
see as playing or having fun with our dog could be perceived by him as
being threatening or intimidating. There are many ways in which your dog
can exhibit aggressive behaviour, such as growling, snapping, snarling and
biting, as well as bearing his teeth. Aggression can be broken down into
three basic categories of assertion: dominance, fear-based aggression and
territorial aggression.
Dominance occurs when your dog is trying to assert his control or status in
certain situations. This may be when he confronts other dogs, when you are
eating and not feeding him at the same time, where he sleeps, when he plays
with his toys and whether you take him for a walk – or the other way around.
The easiest way to ensure that he is not a dominant dog is never to allow
him to be the boss. You, as his owner, need to assert your control and he
has to respect the fact that you are the authority in the relationship. Simple
things like not feeding him bits from the table, especially when he’s begging
for them, and not leaving his toys out all the time. Dogs are much happier
when they don’t have to be the ‘leader of the pack.’
If your dog is afraid or feels threatened, he may exhibit aggressive
behaviour. If your dog bites when he is afraid, typically when a perceived
threat (a stranger) turns his back – this can be resolved by building his
confidence. However, because of the potential serious consequences that
dog bites can have – it is vital that you seek the help of a professional trainer
to help you to socialize your dog.

A dog can also become very territorial about his home and perceived ‘area’,
which may extend far beyond the perimeters of your garden fence. Some
barking is usual, but if your dog barks excessively when a stranger
approaches your home it may be because he thinks that if he barks, the
person will go away. Although that may be true of the postman, it is much
less healthy if you bring a new visitor into your home. You should therefore
ensure that you seek help from a dog behaviourist or trainer who will be
able to work with you and your dog to resolve the issues.
Dogs Separation Anxiety
If your dog starts to whine, bark and howl when you are about to go off to
work, only to greet you in an overzealous and clingy fashion when you
return home? If this is the case, your dog may be suffering from a condition
known as separation anxiety. This is because the dog feels uncertain as to
why his owner – to whom he is very attached – has gone away, whether and
when he or she will be returning, and whether or not he is going to be
punished. Severity of the disorder can range from collecting and sleeping
with the owner’s possessions, to breaking their nails and/or teeth trying to
get out of their crate, destroying doors and even jumping out of windows.
The good news is that separation anxiety can be cured, but is usually
brought on by personality traits of the dog’s owner. If you, as a dog owner,
treat your dog like a baby, don’t train him, don’t establish boundaries, and
don’t leave the dog alone for any reason – these can all bring on separation
anxiety. Treatment of separation anxiety usually comes in the form of
behavioural therapy or training, and/or medication. Both treatments require
a significant amount of patience and persistence –as it may be several
months before you notice a difference in your dog’s anxiety levels.

To avoid separation anxiety all together, establish firm boundaries with your
dog from the outset. Your dog will be far happier if you show him you are
the boss, rather than the other way around.
Chewing Furniture
Chewing is normal dog behaviour, and is especially important for teething
puppies and teaching dogs what they can and cannot chew. However,
although some chewing is healthy (it releases endorphins) and can actually
be soothing for dogs it can also be a sign that your dog is suffering from
boredom, stress and anxiety.
It is vital that you do not stop your dog from chewing, as it also helps to
remove tartar and plaque from his teeth and gums. However you should also
ensure that your dog’s chewing behaviour does not become destructive.
Tips To Stop Your Dog From Destructive Chewing:
• Make sure your dog cannot reach anything of high value: this means putting
shoes away in a cupboard, closing doors, and restricting access to cellars
and garages. If you choose to put your dog in a cage when you are out, this
will eliminate the possibility of him destroying anything – unless he escapes,
or in the alternative put him in a room that is relatively empty, such as the
utility room. However, leave him toys to play with in either case. It is not a
good idea to leave a dog in a cage for many hours at a time.
• When your dog shows interest in your possessions, divert his attention to
his toys and praise him when begins chewing them instead. To get him
interested in his toys, rub your hands all over them (dogs often grab things
that smell like you.)
• Alternate his toys, and don’t leave all of them out at once. In the same way
as children do, dogs get bored with their toys.
• If you do catch your dog chewing on something he shouldn’t, don’t scold him
(you don’t want him to stop chewing completely) but correct him instead.
You can also use a deterrent spray to make the item taste terrible to the
dog, or booby trap the item with something noisy that will scare him away.
One such tip might be to fill a drinks can with coins.
Training Your Dog
When you adopt a dog he is likely to have been potty trained already.
However, there may be issues that arise with your new dog and you will
need to teach him better behaviour. If your dog barks too much, there are
products you can buy to help calm him down, such as a citronella spray or a
DAP diffuser, that emits a pheromone that makes him more accepting of his
surroundings. If you have to go out for a while, leave the radio on and close
the curtains so that he doesn’t see people walking past and begin to bark
incessantly.
Another way to ensure that your training goes well is to make sure that you
keep to a strict routine. Your dog should be fed at the same time each day,
walked at the same times, groomed, and even played with at the same times,
so that he knows when it is ‘his’ time. This will ensure that you can attend to
other matters, such as entertaining guests or watching television, without
the dog demanding your attention at all times.
If your dog is very intelligent, he will need more attention and may be
exhibiting behavioural problems because he is bored. In order to counter
this, teach him some commands to make him think and work at the same
time. Even throwing a ball and making him bring it back to you a few times
is good exercise and will tire him out at the same time!
If you do have issues regarding training your dog and are struggling to cope,
seek advice from a dog behaviourist or enroll in  dog training courses.

When you first get your rehomed  dog, he may take a few days to settle in to his new environment. It is important that you understand that he is likely not to feel at ease for a little while, and to introduce him to new things slowly.

There are a number of things you can do to make the first few days as stress free as possible –not just for the dog but for his new owners as well!
Because you’re re-homing a dog, he may mourn the loss of his old family.
He doesn’t understand why he’s been taken away from them: all he knows is
that he’s in a strange place, with people he doesn’t know. Everything will
new and exciting to him, but scary as well.
Most dogs will settle in and adjust to their new homes within a few days, but
don’t blame yourself or get despondent if your dog takes a bit longer. While
your dog is adjusting to his new surroundings, don’t make him do anything
stressful. This includes meeting a large number of people, having a bath or
going to obedience training et cetera. Not only will this give your dog a
better chance of settling in more quickly, it also gives him a chance to bond
with you, his new owners.
Your dog may not eat for a couple of days when he first arrives, or may have
a very small appetite. Don’t worry about this – it is entirely normal and he’ll
begin to eat when he’s ready to do so.
Because of the upheaval, some dogs temporarily forget their training and
they may have an accident. This is in fact quite common, but don’t be too
disappointed and certainly don’t scold the dog for this.

It’s just because his world has been turned upside down and he needs a little bit of time to adjust so please, don’t scold him or make him feel guilty – he’s trying his best!

Special Needs Dog – Special Needs pets

Re-homing centres often have a selection of special needs dogs. These dogs
need a little extra care and are just as fun as other dogs, but they aren’t
suitable for all homes either because of temperament or physical disability.
For example, some dogs may not like children and should not be brought
into contact with children if at all possible. Others do not mix well with
other animals so must be the only pet in the household.
Some dogs have physical imperfections – but that shouldn’t mean they are
any less loveable or fun to have as your companion. Some dogs are deaf,
have lost an eye, are scarred, or have a limb or part of an ear missing. Others
have bald patches on their fur – but none of these things are their fault and
they can be just as loving – if not more so – if you are prepared to give them
a chance of a new life within your home.

Some dogs with physical disfigurements have lived very tragic lives so far – so why not consider giving them the love they deserve?

Once the re-homing centre has got to know you, your circumstances and
your requirements, they will select a number of dogs that match the
information you provided on your questionnaire and your lifestyle as a
whole. At this point, you are likely to be shown around the centre in order
to meet the dogs that staff have selected. From these dogs, you are likely to
have a shortlist of your favourite dogs, from which you will choose your
ideal new companion.

At this point it is time to meet your new dog. If you already have a dog, it is
wise to bring him along to the meeting to introduce them to one another.
You should also bring all members of your household to this meeting to
ensure that no one has allergies to the dog and that the dog likes every
member of your family –and vice versa.
After this initial meeting the re-homing centre is likely to want to arrange a
home check for your dog. This is nothing to do with making sure you’ve
dusted or whether you’ve got matching furniture. It is simply to ensure that
you have a home that is capable of being a safe and homely environment for
your new dog. If you live far away from the re-homing centre, they may be
able to arrange a home check before you come to the centre to meet the dog.
That way you can take the dog home with you and do not have to travel to
the centre twice.
It is very important that you have all the items you need for your new dog
before you collect him from the centre, including food, food and water
bowls, a bed, a lead, a collar and some toys.

When you attend a reputable re-homing centre you will be required to fill
out a questionnaire about you and your life, which will help the centre to
match you with your ideal dog. These questionnaires are likely to ask for
information about whether you:
• Have owned a dog before
• Would like to adopt your dog now or at a future time
• Have transport
• Have children, how many and how old they are
• Have any other pets in your household, including livestock
• Live in a flat, house, or other type of property
• Have a swimming pool or pond
• Need permission to keep a dog in your home
• Have secured your garden to ensure the dog doesn’t get lost or stolen
• Have access to good areas in which you can walk your dog, such as a
nearby park or fields
• Could provide a reference from a vet about the suitability of your
home for a pet dog
• Are out of the house for long periods of time and if so, whether you
have arrangements in place to ensure that the dog is not alone.
• Are going on holiday soon, and what will happen to the dog when
you are away?
You may also be asked to provide details of your hobbies and pastimes,
where you intend for the dog to sleep at night, and whether you mind a
dog being on furniture and/or beds.

You’ve made the decision to become a dog owner for the first time. Having a pet dog is highly rewarding, great fun and your new pet will be a fantastic addition to your household. However, before you go and choose your first pet it is vital that you understand that there are certain responsibilities that you assume when you become a dog owner. Some of these are legal requirements.

Depending on the age of your dog when you first welcome
him into your home, he may live for fifteen years, which is a lot of years of responsibility!

The Cost of Dog Ownership
So what sort of things must you consider before you choose your dog? It
goes without saying that having a dog means extra cost. Is this something
you can afford? Depending on the breed, size and age of your dog, he may
eat a considerable amount of food – have you worked out how much this is
likely to cost you? Similarly, your dog will require regular visits to the vet –
once per year for an adult dog, and more if your dog is still a puppy.

It is always worth considering getting insurance in the event that your dog needs expensive veterinary treatment. Some insurance cover includes the cost of advertising if your dog goes missing as well as other types of payments, so it is always worth shopping around not only for the best value cover, but also checking what is and isn’t included within the policy.

When you are budgeting for your new pet, your first year is likely to be the
most expensive. You may have to buy a pet carrier, pay for training classes
and cover the cost of spaying or neutering – although if you are re-homing
an animal the second two may not be necessary. In terms of the ongoing
costs relating to a dog, you will need to pay for food, grooming equipment,
collars, leads, toys and treats, medical expenses, annual check up and
professional grooming costs. If you are planning on going on holiday, you
may also have to pay for kennels, animal aunts or pet sitting fees.

Some pet owners splash out on expensive dog beds, mats and other luxuries, but a dog is just as happy on an old blanket so you do not need to spend a lot of money on these types of accessories.
The Time You Will Need To Devote To Your Dog
If you haven’t owned a dog before, a good guide is to allow at least one hour
each day for the care of your dog. He will need walking three times per day,
for at least ten to fifteen minutes each time. He will also need to be fed twice
a day, but not excessively. Dogs are not like cats – you shouldn’t ensure that
there is food available for them all day because they will get fat! Food should
be left down for a maximum of five minutes at a time, twice a day. You
should also spend at least half an hour playing with your dog, giving them
the attention they deserve.
If your dog is a high-energy breed, this amount of time may need to be
considerably extended. Similarly, if your dog is a longhaired breed, he will
need more than five or ten minutes of brushing a day. This also helps to
reduce allergies, and limits the amount of stray pet hairs that will
accumulate in your house. Depending on the size, breed and age of your
dog, you may need to spend more time than this each day on his appearance
and general wellbeing.
Questions To Ask Before You Get A Dog
- Is there anything in your tenancy agreement or lease that does not allow
you to have a pet?
- Is your home secure enough to keep a dog? For example, does your garden
have a fence that would prevent the dog from escaping?
- How long do you spend out of the house each day? If you are away from
your home for more than ten hours per day, you will need to employ the
services of a dog walker to take your pet for a walk in the middle of the
day.
- If you have children it is worth researching the breeds that are more suited
to children and choose a dog accordingly.
- Do you, or does anyone in your family, suffer from allergy to dogs? If so it is
worth spending some time with the dog before you commit to make sure
no one suffers an adverse reaction to him. There are also anti‐allergy
prescriptions available from your doctor.

With these questions asked and every consideration given to the responsibility of getting a dog then you can start to think about whether to go for a new puppy or a rehomed / rescue dog.

Benefits of Adopting a Dog

Although many people consider that dogs that need to be re-homed must have something wrong with them, such as a health or behavioural issue, this is very often not the case.

A lot of people decide they cannot cope with their pet dog whether because of a change in housing, a new baby, because of a relationship break up, or because the owner suffers ill health, goes into hospital or dies. A lot of dogs come from very loving homes, and are well trained, gentle animals that are just in need of a new home. Often their previous owners haven’t mistreated them, and don’t want to have to part with them – but circumstances make it impossible for them to keep their faithful friend.

One of the benefits that people often overlook when they adopt a dog is that most centres take a detailed description of your circumstances and match you to the ideal dog. Older dogs have more developed personalities, and it can be difficult to know –if you are merely visiting a breeder to see a litter of puppies – whether your chosen puppy is the right one for you. Matching a dog, and a breed, to you and your family is a service that is unique to rehoming centres and can ensure that you get exactly the right dog for you.

Older pets can be more tolerant than younger animals, and don’t require the constant attention that a young dog or puppy needs. Although getting a dog from a centre or re-homing facility can cost less than buying a dog elsewhere, don’t expect that it is entirely free. Kenneling, veterinary checks, food, and staffing costs for the rescue centre are all costly and you will be 5 expected to pay a contribution that is usually between £70 and £120. This may be more if you are adopting a dog from a pedigree breeder.

Re-homed dogs are usually micro chipped, have their full set of injections and may have been neutered. If your dog is not old enough at the time he is re-homed, come with a voucher for neutering later on. Dogs that are rehomed are often potty trained, identify and respond to commands, and require less attention than a new puppy.