Steffi is a 7 year old female Cross-Breed. She is fostered in Norwich Norfolk. She came to us a few weeks ago from another rescue that was sadly being forced to relocate their dogs.
Steffi is initially shy with new people but once she’s comfortable in new surroundings she is happy to have humans around, she’s still a little confused as to why people want to touch her as nobody had done so before her arrival with us.
Once we get her on a lead and sit her on the sofa with us she will happily relax and fall asleep being stroked so further experience with this will eventually rub off and she will become more used to human touch.
Steffi is inexperienced on walks as she’d also not been on a lead before coming to us. She does enjoy walks but can be a little stubborn and strong-willed about going where we want to go rather than where she wants to.
We kinda like this streak of strong will in her and believe it will help carry her forward to become the more confident version of herself that she was born to her!
Steffy will need to live with at least one other confident dog as this will help her confidence improve. She may initially be a little aloof with them but once she knows them better will snuggle up. In a bed with them and invite them to play.
Steffi has not met cats and would need a home with no children under twelve years. 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 in situations where unexpected triggers might happen (e.g. around bonfire night).
Nervous dogs may always need to wear a slip-lead as a backup 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.
