Are Rescue Dogs Harder to Train?

There are many stigmas related to rescue dogs and one of them is that they are harder to train than other dogs. The truth is it isn’t more difficult to alter the behaviors of a rescue dog. In general, the things that determine the trainability of a dog rest on other factors such as age, breed, predisposition, and past experiences. Many rescue dogs are just as trainable as those that you would obtain from a breeder. Sometimes a rescue dog requires a little longer to train, but with persistence and love, training your rescue is completely possible. These are tips that might help make the process less challenging.

Training any dog takes persistence and patience. Your dog had a life and environment before they entered yours, so you have to give them time to assimilate and the patience to allow them to make mistakes. Over time, good habits and behaviors will override any undesirable ones. 

When possible, try to avoid punishing your rescue with negative training practices such as shock collars and other harsh methods. It is much more effective to praise positive behaviors than to punish those behaviors that you are trying to squash. It might take more understanding to praise rather than punishment, but the reward for both of you will be much greater! 

The best way to maintain consistency with your training, which is highly important, is to establish rules and routines. Setting boundaries for your rescue will grant them the predictability they need to find safety and some sense of control in their new environment. The more you can stick to a schedule, the more good behaviors will take hold. 

You have to set realistic expectations for your rescue. Just because they are adult dogs, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they can go for long periods without being taken out. Set up a routine that will give them and yourself the best likelihood for success. Taking them out more frequently will provide both of you with a feeling of accomplishment.

Whatever rules and boundaries you do set, you have to stick with them. If your dog is showing aggression, that is usually a sign of anxiety and fear. By being consistent in your communication with your rescue, you can help ease anxiety-provoking situations and reduce the aggression that can come with fear and unpredictability.

Hormones can contribute to your dog’s poor behavior. If you have a puppy, make sure to spay or neuter them early on, and if your dog is an adult dog, spaying or neutering them will help to curb the things that drive your dog to some destructive and poor behaviors. It is always best to consult your veterinarian about decisions such as when to spay or neuter your dog. There are different situations and circumstances that can affect the appropriate timing. 

Although many people wrongly assume that rescue dogs will always be more difficult to train than those you get from the breeder, being rescued does not in and of itself define the trainability of a dog. Other factors such as breed, age, gender, and past experience all play a role in how challenging training can be. A new dog will always take a certain amount of energy on your part, so make sure that you are up for the challenge before you bring any dog home. If you use persistence, consistency, and patience, you will soon see poor behaviors being overridden with positive ones. Training a rescue dog is a challenge, there is no denying that, but the rewards that come with the bonds formed in the process are greater than any that you can imagine.