Human beings can be cruel and unkind; sadly, some people raise a puppy and when he grows into a full-size dog, they no longer want to keep their pet. Some take the dog to a rescue foundation while others take him for a long drive and leave him to his own fate. If the dog is lucky, he can survive until he is found and put in a dog rescue facility, where he can have a second chance to find a loving family.
Friend for life
When you take on the responsibility of keeping a dog, this is a lifetime commitment and most people visit their local dog rescue facility and they form a connection with one of the guests and a new family member is taken home. Rescue digs come fully vaccinated and healthy, while the staff are always ready to advise new owners on care and dog grooming, which is essential for some breeds.
Training
Dogs are wonderful creatures and generally speaking, a dog just wants to please you and they are great learners. If he isn’t yet house-trained, that would be the first thing; find out about his story; some dogs have experienced terrible trauma and knowing this will help you develop a bond. Puppy training classes are always a good idea; even a 2-3-year-old dog can be taught; the younger, the better when it comes to training.
Diet
Dried foods are fine as a supplement, but for good health, a dog should be fed wet dog food that contains all the vitamins and nutrients a dog needs. When you register your dog with a local vet, he will advise you on diet and exercise, two very important aspects of raising a healthy dog. If he is a chewer, buy a few toys that he can munch on and make sure he understands what those toys are for. Click here for how to find out if your dog’s diet is healthy.
Changing a dog’s life
Imagine how traumatic it must be to suddenly be dumped in a strange place, not knowing if your human is coming back, you are alone and dogs are not predators like cats, rather they are scavengers and do not do so well on the streets. Dogs are not stupid, they know when people come into the facility, they are looking for a pet; ask a staff member and they’ll tell you some amazing stories of dog adoption. Adopt don’t shop is a very successful global initiative and the rate at which dogs are rehomed or rising; some dogs are passed over and end up at the facility for a few years but eventually, some kind soul sees their pain and decides to make the rest of their life comfortable.
You should have your dog chipped, which will help if he ever gets lost and you and your canine companion can enjoy many years together.
