My rescue dog is afraid of a lot of things. What can help?

This is a common situation! The fundamental problem with a dog from abroad is that we know nothing about its history. Behind excessive fear or panic can be a lack of experiences, an abundance of traumatic experiences, or a mixture of both. If you picture your dog's life before arriving in Germany, you have to bear in mind that conditions in shelters abroad are usually different from those we know dogs to have here in Germany both in homes and in animal shelters. They are rarely taken on walks, the shelters are often in remote areas and the dogs seldom or never have access to an exercise area. Usually, they spend their time in the same kennel day and night. In many cases, there are only a few caretakers for many dogs, so they have little contact with humans.

That sounds like really challenging conditions. Why is that?

Yes, that's often the case. But not always. There are, of course, great animal shelters even abroad, shelters that offer dogs good conditions with an incredible amount of commitment. However, especially at the clinic, we most often see cases that come from shelters that don’t have these conditions. Resources are usually scarce – both financially and in terms of personnel. That's basically why the conditions are what they are. And unfortunately, the result is often a lack of socialization. When they come to a German city (or even to a German village), everything is new and scary for our furry rescue friends. Patience is the key to building a strong bond. This can take weeks or even months. You can improve bonding, for example, with what I call “nature walks.” Take walks in remote areas such as in the forest, and make sure you also go for "anti-cyclical" walks, for example early in the morning or late in the evening. It can be easier for the dog and allows you to actively work on strengthening your bond. In general, you should introduce the dog to new things very slowly. If you keep pushing them to their limits, they may lose confidence during the walks and, in the worst-case scenario, refuse to go for a walk altogether. If you have the feeling that your dog's anxiety is getting worse rather than better in the first few days or weeks, it is best to seek professional help. This could be a behavioral veterinarian, a coach or a dog trainer. Don't worry – many animals, regardless of whether they are rescue animals or not, have these kinds of “issues” – experts don't judge, they provide practical tips.

My shelter dog is so skinny, how can I help them?

Most dogs from animal shelters abroad arrive in Germany with “stowaways” on board. It is simply impossible to keep an animal shelter “germ-free”. So even regular deworming – even if it has been administered diligently – cannot prevent re-infection. It does not make much sense to treat diseases such as Giardia in these shelters, because the dogs would immediately become infected again. Therefore, you should arrange an examination as soon as possible.Every shelter dog – not just those that appear underweight – should be tested for parasites. The result will determine if further treatment is necessary. Nutritional issues can also be addressed at the vet's practice – they offer helpful, specialized nutritional advice.

My dog has been with me for four weeks now and is still scared or regressing.

Many adopters face similar issues and the most important answer is: The development you are facing is not linear! If something worked well yesterday, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will work tomorrow – but in three days it could be great again. Once again, “unfortunately” patience is the key to success. If you are unsure how to deal with a certain behavior, consult a veterinarian – preferably a behavioral therapy specialist. Rescue dogs often also have physical problems. Old car accidents, fractures that have healed poorly or gone undetected, parasitic diseases that cause abdominal pain, absorption disorders that can lead to nervousness or post-traumatic developmental disorders that flare up again and again. So-called “emotional injuries” sustained when the dog was just a few months old or a lack of experience can also lead to emotional incompetence in dogs. A thorough check-up at the veterinary practice makes sense, especially in the case of old injuries. A veterinarian for behavioral therapy – with a medical and behavioral therapy background – can offer the appropriate assistance. They can determine whether the behavior is due to physical pain and how you can best work with the dog to improve anxiety, aggression or other behavioral problems.

My rescue dog has never been to a veterinary practice. Should I go to the practice before the dog actually has anything?

Absolutely! I always recommend a visit to the veterinary practice before the dog has a problem. That way, both of you will be more relaxed when you come back when something actually needs treating. The best way to familiarize yourself is to make an appointment so that everyone can get to know each other. Here, the veterinary staff can check whether the dog has had all its vaccinations, what their general condition is, and answer any questions you may have. This is only a first step towards preventing anxiety regarding the practice and the people there, but it is a start. Dogs that shy away from contact with strangers may find the situation at the vet's particularly stressful. It’s a good idea to do some medical training with your dog before it has to be treated unexpectedly with painful symptoms, thus confirming its ultimate fears. This is an important preventative measure and can save a lot of nerves and stress

So, isn't this all much more complicated than simply buying a puppy?

It can be complicated – but any pedigree dog from a breeder can also be "complicated." I see these dogs in behavioral therapy consultations just as often as dogs from animal shelters. The adoption has completely redefined the lives of these dogs and it almost always has a happy ending for both sides.