Tips for training a rescue dog

Updated 21/11/2023

We’re sure you couldn’t be more excited to welcome home your rescue dog, and soon you won’t be able to imagine what life was like without them! But hold your horses, there will be lots to think about in the first few weeks of bringing them home. 

As your furry friend begins to settle into their new home, training (for both you and your pooch pal) will need to become a priority. These tips for successfully training a rescue dog are designed to make the transition from shelter to home as smooth as possible for everyone. From potty training a rescue dog to helping them get used to their crate, here’s everything you need to know about rescue dog training. 

How to train a rescue dog

Be patient

Your four-pawed pal will need some time to adjust when they come home from the rescue center. They may want to have a sniff around and go exploring, or they may retreat to a corner and take a little while to come out of their shell. Either way, it’s important to make their first experience of their new home a positive one, so let them go at their own pace. 

Consider a pheromone collar or plug-in to help ease their initial anxiety at entering a foreign environment before they settle in and know it as home. 

Start training from the get-go

While it’s important to be patient with your pooch pal as they find their feet, that doesn’t mean you should neglect their training. More advanced training can certainly wait until your furry friend is settled in, but start establishing boundaries and praising your pup for good behavior from the moment they get home. It might be tempting to have a cuddle with your newfound friend on the couch or share your dinner leftovers, but you should only do this if you’re willing to allow this behavior in the long run.

Reward your dog for good behavior

The secret to successful dog training is positive reinforcement. Arm yourself with the tastiest of treats and give your furry friend lots of verbal encouragement as well as a scratch behind the ears to show them they did a good job. Positive reinforcement training is regarded by professional dog trainers as the best way to train a dog, and experts strongly advise against punishing dogs for misbehaving.

Remember if you’re doing a lot of training, especially at the beginning of developing your relationship with your new furry friend, you may need to reduce their meals to avoid tummy upsets and unwanted weight gain. Choose treats carefully, avoid too many fatty treats like cheese, and ideally stick to doggie-specific treats so your pup doesn’t become unwell. 

Establishing a routine 

Consistency can really help your furry friend settle into their new home - routine equals stability, which may be something your fur baby hasn’t enjoyed for a long time. Keep everything your pup needs in the same place so they can find it easily, and mealtimes and walkies should take place at the same time each day. This may be the first time your new pup has had his very own warm comfy bed, bowls and toys. Make sure your furry friend has his own safe space to retreat to in case a little bit of alone time is needed as it can be really overwhelming being in a home for the first time. 

Begin with the basics

Whether you're adopting or simply fostering a dog for a little while, find out as much as you can from the rescue organization before bringing your pup home. That being said, it’s usually difficult to predict how much training your rescue pal will have had, so it’s best to assume they haven’t had any at all.  

You may need to cover basic commands and general training, so here are a few tips to get you started:

How to potty train a rescue dog 

Whether your pooch pal has forgotten their manners in the stress and excitement of a new home or has never been potty trained in the first place, it's not uncommon for accidents to happen when your pup first comes home. In fact, house training a 3-year-old rescue dog may not be all that different from potty training a puppy. For this reason, you’ll want to take them for regular pee and poop breaks (as often as every 45 minutes) and reward your dog with treats and praise for going in the right place. 

How to crate train a rescue dog 

Crate training a rescue dog can provide anxious pups with a safe space to retreat to when it all gets a bit much. Learning how to crate train a rescue dog with separation anxiety also makes things far easier for pet parents who can’t trust their pups not to get into mischief when they take their eyes off them, even if it’s just for a trip to the loo! That being said, rescue dogs can sometimes associate the crate with negativity, whether it was used as a punishment by previous owners or they found the shelter particularly traumatizing. Make the crate a space your furry friend actually wants to be in; consider getting a crate cover to make it feel safe and cozy, and reward them with treats every time they go inside.

Related article: How to crate train an older dog

Socialization 

Socialization involves introducing your pet to other animals and people, but also new environments, sounds, and experiences. You may not know your rescue pup’s history and it’s difficult to be prepared for the negative experiences they have already endured, so it’s important to keep socialization training positive and brief. Start by walking them down a residential street, keeping them tight on the leash and rewarding them for any positive interactions. You can gradually introduce them to other new experiences, like dogs and pet sitters, as time goes on. 

Train them to be alone

When you first bring your pooch pal home, it’s important to supervise them constantly, not only to keep them out of mischief but also to ensure they feel safe and looked after in their new home. As time goes on, it will become important for your furry friend to learn how to be left alone. Start by leaving your pup for short periods of time and make sure they have access to everything they need while you're gone to make the experience as comfortable and positive as possible. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Lily

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lily Richards BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lily qualified from Liverpool University in 2011 and spent 5 years as a veterinarian working in mixed animal practice. As Lily’s passion for exotics and exploring more complicated small animal medical cases developed, she stepped into small animal-only practice. By 2018 Lily was leading a busy branch of a large hospital practice with a fantastic team, enjoying working on both surgical and medical cases. Since falling poorly in 2021 Lily has found a new passion in medical writing. Sharing medical knowledge and writing for the public is a particular passion. 

Training a rescue dog isn’t all about teaching them the commands, it’s also about forging a strong bond between pups and their pet parents. The tips in this guide should come in handy for most owners, but it’s important to remember that every furry friend comes with its own unique history, and training methods and techniques should be adapted to cater to your individual pup. With time and patience, your furry friend will soon become a star student!