George is a 4 year old male Chihuahua. He is fostered in Norwich, Norfolk. He recently came to us because his owner could no longer walk him and decided he should get a new home whilst he is young. George is a happy little boy who loves humans and is learning in a multi pack to enjoy dog company as well, he is doing fantastic and wanting to play – he could be rehomed as a only dog or with a companion or two.
George can when sitting on his Humans lap want all the attention but is learning it doesn’t always work that way and is adapting really well. George loves toys and walks – happy all rounder. We will rehome with sensible children over 8 and is not cat tested at present. When you adopt a Safe Rescue dog, you MUST use a slip lead.
This will keep your dog safe: your new dog will be nervous and will not trust you, and you will not know which situations might upset your dog. If your dog panics, then a slip lead is the only way to prevent your dog from escaping (many dogs can escape from a collar and/or harness).
It will take AT LEAST 3-6 months for your dog to settle-in and for you to know your dog fully (longer for nervous dogs). The slip lead must ALWAYS be used during this settling-in period. Even after your dog is settled, it is safest to use the slip lead in situations where your dog may become scared (e.g. visiting new places, around unfamiliar people, at the vet), and it situations where unexpected triggers might happen (e.g. around bonfire night). Nervous dogs may always need to wear a slip-lead as a back-up safety measure.
The slip lead is a safety device and must NEVER be used as a training tool. Using the lead to apply pressure to the dog’s neck is damaging. If your dog pulls on the lead, then we can advise you on training methods that avoid harm. Once your dog is settled, you may want to consider using a harness (together with the slip lead) if your dog is comfortable with being handled when it is fitted.
Most harnesses are not escape-proof, but harnesses with a strap behind the ribcage (e.g. Ruffwear Webmaster or Perfect Fit Harnesses) are safer. Retractable / extendable leads must never be used on our dogs. Adopted dogs must be collected from the rescue and transported straight home in a crate.
