Canine Related Articles

Dear Dog - Are You Really Rescued?

boris I was recently chatting with a local dog walker/sitter who told me the most shocking statistic about her business that "...90% of the dogs I work with are rescued dogs with serious issues...many are aggressive..."

Curious, I asked why she didn't suggest to the owners that they engage a professional for a dog whispering session so that they could learn through dog psychology all about how they can help their dogs regain balance and become the happy companions they were meant to be.

She replied, "I have suggested it to many, offered to take them myself but if they say no, that's where it stops."

Then I have to ask the question, "From the dog's point of view, what's the difference between living in a rescue facility or living in a home with a human who is just providing a different "kennel" when the human is not willing to address previous behavior issues?"

Rescuing a dog can present itself like a two-sided coin where one side or the other often lies hidden.

On the one side, the human feels good about providing a dog with a new home because this act of compassion imbues the human with improved self-worth, feelings of honour and self-esteem and a sense of righteousness from doing a good deed for a creature less fortunate. All wonderful human characteristics.

However, the other side of this coin, and the one that is often forgotten or not immediately recognized or acknowledged by the human, is whether the rescued dog's needs are being met, which includes being aware of and eliminating previous unstable behavior concerns so that the dog can become a stable, happy member of it's new human pack.

Oftentimes a human will "rescue" a dog from the SPCA or local facility because they feel sorry for it being "locked up" and facing possible euthanasia or because of breed specific persecution or because it looked dejected and sad or because it was frightened, etc.

Although all of these above reasons are what makes us caring humans, none of these are good "reasons" for rescuing a dog unless the human is willing to really provide for all aspects of their new 4-legged companions' needs, which are dependent upon addressing any behavioral issues that are already present or may arise in their future.

Unfortunately, what awaits many "rescued" dogs in their new home can be even more heartbreaking when the human, although kind-natured and well-meaning, is not capable (because of personal circumstances, work commitments, health, lifestyle, age, etc.), of giving the dog what it really needs to be happy and so, the newly "rescued" dog ends up being further frustrated and unfulfilled.

Are these dogs really "rescued" when the only thing that's changed for them is the colour of their four walls?

A kennel is a kennel is a kennel in any dog's mind. They don't care how large or beautiful their kennel may be because when they're in it, they're still locked up, they're still left alone, they're still frustrated, they're still frightened, fearful, nervous, anxious and aggressive because they still aren't having their needs fulfilled which means they are still unbalanced and unhappy.

To really rescue and rehabilitate a dog takes time, never-ending patience and unwavering commitment. Yes, it can be hard work because it demands firstly, an understanding of what's required in a particular dog's circumstances, and a skill set and understanding of dog psychology that most humans can learn, but don't naturally come by.

The very definition of the word "rescue" tells us that to rescue means "to bring (someone or something) out of danger - to deliver or save."

Therefore, when a human rescues a dog but doesn't follow up with learning how to bring the dog back into balance and harmony with itself and its surroundings, they have not brought this dog out of danger or saved it from anything other than possible euthanasia.

It's a very sad situation indeed when canine guardians (humans) are not willing to make the effort to learn what they need to do so that these rescued dogs can become well balanced and happy companions.

Are rescue facilities doing these dogs any favours if they are not following up and/or recommending professional help as a matter of course for humans who don't yet understand what dogs really need in order to be happy and well-balanced members of their new human pack?

Unfortunately, many humans throughout their busy days just don't have the time necessary or inclination required to invest the consistent effort necessary to do what's right for the dog and believe that a bowl of food with access to a yard will fulfill all of their dog's needs.

This means that many rescued dogs, as they pass from owner to owner, become even more unbalanced because the humans they happened to come into contact with, although well-meaning, didn't understand what they needed to do to help these rescued dogs who were left to fend for themselves as best they could within an alien, human society.

When these dogs are "rescued", will their humans be doing all they can to ensure that the dog's needs are being met, or will these dogs simply have to endure a life of instability?

Dear Dog - I hope that you are really rescued.

"Let the K-9 Super Heroes
Dog Whispering Team
Come to Your Rescue Today!"