Diary of a rescue dog - the first three months
Diary of a rescue dog - the first three months
Hello - I'm a rescue dog (though I would prefer to say liberated! This better suits my feisty personality)
I've been with my new family for around 5 months - and I might just be at the point of seeing this as my forever home.
However, I should say that this hasn't come around easily. I've had two other families before this one, so settling into life with another new set of humans has been a journey with a few bumps in the road.
Like many dogs who found themselves in my position, my origins and breed are vague, and my owners committed to the adoption despite having much to learn about my actual personality and traits.
The only thing they could tell from the get-go was that I looked the spitting image of a cross between a Border Collie and a Great Pyrenees, which makes sense as these are popular working dogs where I'm from. So as a result, I'm fortunate to be genetically blessed with a thick armour of white fur, a big celebratory tail that fans out when I'm happy, long, thin legs that are great at climbing, and a foxy face with orange highlights and wide, almond eyes.
On the other hand, despite my good looks, my new owners could tell that I'm large in size, and while I'm gentle, I'm strong, energetic and I have many emotional triggers from my past that can be difficult to manage. My breeding stock meant I would be energetic, intelligent (and in need of mental stimulation), and would probably be a bit overprotective.
That was then and this is now. We've gotten to know each other a lot more over the past few months and have there have been a few surprises along the way.
While settling in wasn't easy, things have gradually improved, and this rings true to the fact rescue centre staff and owners often comment it takes three months for your adopted pet to feel at home. While I don't want to generalise every dog's experience based on my own, this does appear to be true. Each month gone by has seen leaps and bounds in me feeling safe, reassured and loved.
Here is a step by step account of my first three months:
Month 1 - New Beginnings
Key feelings: Fear, uncertainty, confusion
The first days and weeks in my new home were quite unsettling for me. I was confused to be uprooted by two strangers and brought to a new space with unfamiliar sounds and smells. Over the first few weeks, this was generally my behaviour:
- I couldn't easily relax or calm down, it took time for me to switch off
- I'd bark or cry in the night
- I'd have 'tantrums' with my owners where I would demand food or attention. This would get worse if they became impatient or annoyed
- I'd ignore commands
- I'd be wary of their affection and a little shy, my tail between my legs
- I'd turn to destructive behaviour and try to rip apart my bed, the couch, pillows etc
Slowly, my owners got me into a strict and consistent routine from the get-go, which started to help me to feel more secure and at ease. We'd do three solid walks a day to exert my natural shepherd dog energy (I was previously confined to a garden a lot, so this was new), we'd do hikes and spend a lot of time outdoors, they bought me toys and puzzles to entertain me.
I could tell along the way that they were nervous that things may not improve despite their efforts, and I could tell that it was a big adjustment for them as well to suddenly have a large, chaotic furball with pre-existing issues to look after.
Funnily enough, one observation we made was that my old toys and bed were encouraging my destructive behaviour rather than being a comfort. So, they replaced these with new ones that didn't have the smell of my old home, and I was noticeably calmer. Although, I'd sometimes had to go without a bed as they'd confiscate it until I stopped biting it!
I also received a new collar and a hardy stainless steel I-D tag, to ensure my safety on our walks. I would sometimes try to run away (I love the chase game and cheekily running away when my owners try to grab me !)
Little fresh starts like these new toys helped me connect with my new environment.
An important lesson for my owners was they would have to also adjust some of their habits and ways of thinking - in particular, they learned I responded badly to impatience or annoyance, so they had to learn to remain calm and collected in dealing with some of my trickier behaviours.
Month 2 - Testing the boundaries
Key feelings: Insecurity, but also some relief
By the second month, my new home started to feel more familiar. The routine we had of three walks a day built trust between us, and I showed signs of relief in knowing that I would get my daily exercise no matter what.
These were the behaviours my family noticed:
- I slept better, and didn't have disturbances in the night
- They could start to leave me alone for short periods now that I knew the house well. This became important as I was high-energy around humans and feeling I had something to prove, and time alone meant I was able to recharge my batteries. My behaviour and general mood got better
- I was starting to listen to commands
- I stopped trying to bite my new bed, so it stopped being confiscated
- I was still having tantrums and almost acting out to test how my owners would respond
When I say 'acting out', I mean that I would bark and try to playfully bite my owners like a puppy, or jump on them, to establish some power in the hierarchy of the house. This was understandable, but sometimes pretty tiring for my owners as I could persist with this behaviour for hours. It was clear that despite some improvements, I still wanted to be in control of every situation to feel more secure, rather than simply feeling safe and at ease.
Month 3 - New discoveries
Key feelings - Patience, affection, more security
The third month of our time together marked some big milestones, just as the rescue centre advised.
Things weren't perfect, but my anxiety started to ease enough for my true personality to start emerging:
- It became clear that I'm big on affection and a little needy but like to assert my independence as an adult male dog! I like cuddles to be on my terms . I'd sometimes shy away if approached, but if I was in the mood, I'd jump up on the couch for a big hug!
- I showed my love of children and babies, and felt calm in their presence
- I started to listen to more commands - sitting and staying properly
- I showed that I was very funny, cheeky and intelligent, and loved to entertain my owners by taking out my toys and throwing them around
- I could finally sit at a coffee shop for more than 5 minutes without barking constantly and demanding to leave
- While I generally became more relaxed and less reactive, some key triggers remained - particularly Citroen Amis, the postman, and trucks and trailers set me off on my daily walks! Despite general improvements in my training, I want to bark and chase them (to the dismay of my owners)
- I became more territorial of my space at home (guarding and barking at other dogs and people approaching) as it felt like my space. My owners had to start training me to practice some self restraint here.
There were many positive developments at this time, as predicted. There was still a long way to go, but the more I felt at ease, the more the loving side of me emerged and rewarded my new parents. Simply understanding I had a safe and secure home had finally lowered my guard.
Take-outs
So in summary, the first three months are the time I'd say it takes for a dog and its new owners to properly get to know each other and build trust.
In addition, getting used to a strict, predictable and reliable routine put me at ease.
To any prospective adoptee families, don't let my words discourage you, but just prepare for three months of great adjustment for both you and your new pet. This is realistic and helps to manage your expectations, and hopefully reassure you that your patience and diligence will start to pay off.
1 in 10 UK households surrendered their dogs to shelters last year, so every person who makes the decision to adopt makes a difference. In saving our life (and letting dogs like me in to yours), we will repay you with the unconditional love and happiness of a true friend.
So be patient, these first three months are worth it in the end.