How to Bond With a Rescue Dog

Rescuing a dog can be an extremely rewarding experience. Not only are you giving a dog a second chance at life, but you are welcoming a new member into your family. Although this unique experience is gratifying, it can take time and effort to bond with your pet because of past abuse or neglect it may have come into contact with. There are a few tips to make the bonding process go smoothly, and have you and your rescue dog inseparable in no time.

Things You'll Need

  • Leash
  • Dog crate
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take it slow for the first few days when bringing home your new dog. The dog must first get comfortable with you and its surroundings before any bonding can take place.

    • 2

      Walk your dog daily to increase the bonding between the two of you. Instead of driving to a park to walk him, walk your dog on a leash to a nearby area that you can also walk home so that your new pet will become familiar with the way to his new home.

    • 3
      Your rescue dog will be sitting on command in no time.

      Train your new dog basic obedience commands. Sit, stay, down, come and heel are necessary commands and the best way to teach this obedience is to have two or three short training sessions a day. Be consistent in the time and number of sessions each day.

    • 4

      Provide your new dog with a crate so that he feels he has a safe place. Crate training allows you to leave your dog unattended without your house potentially becoming damaged. If you scold your dog for being destructive while you are away, it will make bonding more difficult.