It’s A Dogs Life—

The Recycled Dog

By Mary Jane Anderson

One of the tragic realities of our disposable society is the grim statistics found in the pounds and shelters throughout the country. There are too many unwanted pets and not enough good homes for these animals. Unfortunately, thousands of pets are destroyed each year because of this problem. If you are thinking about rescuing one of these dogs, there are a few suggestions to follow since you will not be able to know what our second-hand dog went through before he was taken to a shelter or picked up by the dog warden. Some dogs are roaming the town streets, while others might have been neglected or cruelly treated.

Taking a dog from a dog pound or shelter can be a joy or disaster, depending upon your preparations, attitude, and time. Too many times, dogs are rescued at the last minute, just before the dog is being taken to the veterinarian to be destroyed. Emotions run high and play a great part for those people who make snap judgments feeling sorry for the “poor helpless animal.”

Few people, however can be St Francis, lover of animals. Too often, problems arise and all hell breaks loose; their halo slides off and guilt takes over. Eventually, “Sparky” is returned to the dog pound, a bad experience for the animal lover and the dog.

Many of these unfortunate experiences would be kept to a minimum if the good-hearted animal lover thought about the dog. He might have been abused, neglected, or battered: he is a recycled dog. Therefore, the dog must be rehabilitated; sometimes it is a short duration or it can be a long duration, according to how long the animal has been confined to a shelter.

“Luke” is a good example of a dog rehabilitated after many months of patience, consistency, and love. The breeder could not sell the dog because of his lop-sided ear. He was kept in a crate or confined to a kennel for his first 14 months of his life. He was going to be destroyed since he had many behavioral problems because of his confinement. But Luke is a success story of how an unwanted, neglected, and abused German shepherd was transformed into a happy house pet and companion. Eventually, he enjoyed his daily walks down Main Street, but few know the time, patience, and understanding that was needed to accomplish such a feat.

All dogs, puppies and adults, need rules to live by — what your dog can do and what he cannot do. Rules and regulations will make your new dog feel more secure in his home rather than giving him freedom, and he constantly hears no, no, and more no. Training must be done with patience, affect, and quiet firmness. Praise the dog each time you are pleased with his behavior. He will soon look for that praise.

Establish routines that the dog can look forward to, such as taking a walk, playing ball, or taking a ride in the car for an ice cream cone. Be predictable; he needs more than most dogs because he is unsure, worried, and afraid. Socialization is very much needed, especially if the dog has been confined for a few months. Take him everywhere you can. Let him become acquainted by leash-walking him around the property; let him explore and sniff his new territory. Each day extend the exploration down the street and the neighborhood on the leash.

Your new dog will adjust to your new home more readily by letting him be involved in the family life, but, keep the dog confined to a leash each time the dog goes out of the house. A crate can also be very helpful in the house to establish rules and regulations. A crate can make the dog feel secure, a place of his own, and a security blanket. A crate makes punishment unnecessary. If you are going out without your dog, you should put the dog in the crate, and then the dog cannot get into trouble while he is left alone.

Sure, there will be those times! But, they will be far less than if you did not prepare beforehand. The dog will never forget his gratitude and will become a faithful companion.