by Aaron Hunt

Created on: November 13, 2008   Last Updated: May 27, 2010

Many animal lovers have followed their heart and adopted a rescue dog only to find that in many cases they're not the free-spirited, lovable pet of their dreams. Quite often, rescue dogs are very timid and distrusting, especially in unfamiliar surroundings. It is very important to make your new pet feel secure and confident, and there are a number of techniques to help facilitate that process.

First and foremost, it is important to remember that every rescue dog will open up at his or her own pace, on their own schedule, not yours.  Start with warm praise and some excellent treats such as boiled chicken or cheese. The goal is to associate being around you and your surroundings with delicious treats. This is a highly instinctual motivator that will help the dog learn that this new place is not the same as the previous environment in which it was raised.

It can be very beneficial to contact  a local obedience-training club to help socialize your timid dog.  Beginning with basic obedience, a club can help teach you how to train your dog and further build your pet's confidence. It is very important to ensure that the club uses only reward-based training, especially for a rescue animal. The goal is to build their confidence and trust so they can truly become a member of the family. Clubs will often start a rescue dog with the puppy or beginner class, regardless of the dog's age to build confidence. The instructors at a good club will have numerous experiences bringing a timid dog out of their shell. And since every dog is a little different, this live interaction with the trainer allows you to address the specific areas of concern with your dog.

Another important aspect of making a dog feel confident and secure is a kennel. Many people may feel that crate training a dog is cruel, but dogs instinctively want to be in a lair. The kennel serves as a safe zone in your house where your dog can feel protected, and this is true whether or not your dog is a rescue animal. Your dog should only be in the kennel when you cannot watch them or when you're sleeping. A kennel also assists with house breaking, and having a house broken dog goes a long way to building their confidence. How many of us can truly not be angry if the dog piddles in the house? This sort of negative reaction can quickly tear down the positive reinforcements from training and socialization.

Adopting a rescue dog is an act of love. It is very rewarding, and it often presents a new set of challenges with each dog. Putting your heart into reward-based training and focusing on building your pet's confidence are the keys to teaching the dog that this is a new beginning. Once they begin realize this, their shyness begins to fade, and at that moment is when you have truly rescued the dog.

Learn more about this author, Aaron Hunt.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.