As you might know, our dogs have made a long journey, and naturally, they will be exhausted and excited from it. Please follow our instructions about the next steps upon their arrival, helping them to successfully adapt to their new environment. If you encounter any problems, please contact us or one of the trainers!

 

1.  Please also consider, that these dogs have never heard people speak English, so it will take time for them to learn the basic words and the different ways of speaking.  Please do not shout at them! Praise them, kindly. If they are doing something in the wrong way, use the "No" word, and if they are doing something in the right way, use "Good boy/girl!" expressions, so they can learn what they can and cannot do. It is useful to know that dogs are able to distinguish between languages. Please do not get mad at them for not understanding a new language right away. They will have to relearn words; please treat them with kindness because they can feel the difference in kind speech.

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2.  If you already have another dog, make sure they meet for the first time in a "neutral" location, like a park, for example. Let them get to know each other by playing together first. Sometimes it is a bit more difficult for them to make friends; do not worry, as this is completely normal. Dogs can also be jealous, and they also seek attention. Please do not treat them differently; try to give them all the love and attention equally.

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3.  Please show them the different parts of the house.

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4.  For every walk, use a leash and collar or a 3 point harness, fitting the dog properly (the collar should not be too tight but not too loose either, so they cannot pull their heads out). Collar is a risky choice if the dog is nervous. If the dog is not able to walk on a leash, do not pull! It is very important to create a positive experience for the dog. Many of our rescue dogs have never walked on a leash before, but they can learn, so please be patient with them. In the beginning, make the walks very short and only for fulfilling their important needs. With time, you can make these walks longer when the dog feels more confident, knows the daily routine, and knows the area where they live. Do not take them on trips for about 4 weeks!

 

5.  It is very important that your dog has an ID tag on their collar stating their name, address, and your current phone number. This can be very useful in case the dog gets frightened by something and runs off.

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6.  Being in a new home and around new people can be overwhelming to anyone, including your dog. It is important to give your dog time to adjust and become familiar with all the new things she will encounter, including new visitors and other animals. Exposure to these new situations should be positive, and not forced.

Our advice is that you not take any visitors for two weeks until the dog gets used to the daily routine of the new environment and gets to know their new family. Give them time to get to know their new home.

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7.  Be patient because maybe your new dog had friends (another dog) and maybe he/she will miss them. Dogs have feelings as well, so they can be sad and happy.

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8.  If a dog wants to hide in one of the corners of the house upon their arrival, allow them to do so, and let them have a quiet space. They will be more open later on. They might want to rest first, and they might feel too tired and frightened to make friends. They need time, and that is perfectly normal. Sometimes they are overwhelmed and uneasy for a few days; they do not understand what is happening to them, but kindness can help them a lot. Please consider these things and do not rush them!

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9.  If your dog needs some solitude and a safe place in the house, please give them the opportunity for it. They do not understand what is happening to them, and they might be really frightened in the first few days. They will only realize later that they just got a loving family.

 

10.  Please do not be loud, and by all means do not shout with them or others in your home, since this time is very difficult for them and shouting might cause them trauma.

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11.  Your dog needs toys so it can keep herself/himself busy. You will discover together what they like the most and what they enjoy: playing with a ball, searching, sniffing, playing tug of war, etc., activities that can get them both physically and mentally involved. 

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12.  A consistent and reliable routine is essential for creating a calm and organized environment. Dogs need plenty of exercises, training, mental stimulation and companionship including feeding and walking schedules, as well as deciding who is responsible for each care-taking task. Disorganization can create a stressful environment that may lead to anxiety and unwanted behaviors in your pet.

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13.  It is important to watch your dog with new toys to ensure safety. There are many toys available, and the best options are durable toys that are unlikely to be swallowed, break teeth, or become stuck in the mouth.

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14.  Dog training is more than just teaching a dog to be obedient; it offers physical and mental stimulation, increases your dog’s confidence, develops the human-animal bond, and can improve overall behavior. Training methods should not be painful or aggressive, as these methods can actually lead to more problematic behaviors and to poor animal welfare. Choose a trainer or training class wisely and consider interviewing the trainer or watching a class before selecting one.

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15.  Just like in humans, physical and mental exercise is key for a healthy and content dog. Walking your dog is good physical exercise, but it also provides mental stimulation. Some toys, such as puzzle toys, are also designed to offer mental exercise when your dog is indoors. How much exercise your dog needs may depend on the breed, age, and other factors, so talk to your vet about exercise recommendations.

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16.  A long journey can be tiring and especially burdensome for the dog’s stomach. That's why we are asking you to pay extra attention to their food in the first few days; please do not overfeed them! Give them enough food but not too much, as the long journey and nervousness might have affected their digestion. Give them food that is easy to digest, such as… 

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17.  Please ensure that they always have access to clean water!

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18.  It is important that, if you plan to travel by car, you have a properly fitted safety belt for the dog. If you are worried about your car seat, you can get a seat cover for it. If you are coming to the meeting point to pick up your dog without any travel partners, please ensure that you have a seat belt in your car for the dog, as they might get scared in the presence of a stranger in a car. You can also purchase this from us if you could not get one beforehand.

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19.  Our dogs live with other dogs in the pen but that doesn't mean that they are good with every dog they meet.

It is up to the adopters to manage this.

 

20.  Most of our dogs are OK with cats in the rescue, but that doesn't mean that your cat will like them. When they arrive in their new home the resident cat(s) may run and the dog is likely to chase them. That will start a bad habit. Again, it is up to the adopter to manage the situation. Please listen to our advice to prevent a failed adoption.

 

21.  The majority of the dogs we rescue are not purebred, but street dogs. We do everything we can to ensure that the dog is healthy and you will be told about any previous illnesses/injuries that we know about.

 

22.  Some vets are anti-foreign dogs. If yours is, move to a different vet.

 

23.  If you are over 67 we will need to discuss your situation with you before you apply to adopt a puppy (not a dog)

 

24.  Puppies are hard work and need a lot of energy, and training.

 

25.  Our dogs didn't live in a house, so it's not sure if they will let you know when they need to pee or poop. You have to teach him/her this, but be patient, because he can be very scared, and shy at first. Take him/her out more often (every 2-3 hours). If you have a puppy, then this time is every hour.

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26.  Dogs have different personalities, some dogs have a lot of energy, and some dogs are calmer. You have to know yourself and we can help to choose an ideal dog for you.

 

Whether you’re a first-time owner or you’ve had dogs before, getting a dog is really exciting. But it’s also a big commitment and there are lots to think about before making your mind up.

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