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Tools and Resources for Adopting a Rescue Dog Who’s Experienced Trauma
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items We have two precious furbabies in our family. Our older dog, Gracie, was adopted from a local shelter. She'd been abandoned and had experienced medical neglect, but she had clearly received affection (and a lot of treats) from at least one owner. Our...
Sections
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Education Station
Rebuilding Health
Dealing with Doggy Anxiety
Treat Yo' Pup
Education Station
Learning about the special needs and challenges that a puppy mill breeder rescue faces has helped me (and Blue) so much.
This article is chock full of helpful info. One of the biggest parts that rings true is that Gracie has sort of taught Blue how to be a dog. My parents also adopted a puppy mill breeder rescue named Honey, and they found the same thing to be true. On...
Fostering/Adopting the Puppy Mill Dog | Carol's Canine Training
The 3-3-3 rule is so helpful when you adopt a rescue dog of any kind, especially one who's been in a shelter situation. But the timeline is different with each dog. With Gracie, this pattern definitely rang true (although she was comfortable with us ...
3-3-3 guide of adopting a dog
Please, please, PLEASE if you get nothing else out of this list…do NOT buy puppies from Petland. Blue was rescued as a breeder from one of their puppy mills, and they are extremely unethical. If at all possible, adopt a dog or puppy from a local shel...
More lawsuits filed against Petland reveal the dark side of the puppy-selling industry
Dogs communicate a lot through their body language. It's been neat watching Blue especially as we get to know more of her happy, relaxed, fun cues. In the beginning, she was very anxious and submissive.
How To Read a Dog's Body Language
This article has a lot of great information about strategies and options to help your dog overcome a history of abuse. (And for helping you decide if you're a good candidate for adopting a dog with a history of trauma.)
Adopting a Pet with a History of Abuse: What You Should Know
Training dogs who have experienced trauma is absolutely possible, but it takes a lot of patience and a positive, gentle approach. This site has great tips!
5 Training Techniques to Reduce Anxiety in Dogs
Rebuilding Health
Gracie's health history was a complete mystery to us. It was pretty obvious that she hadn't received adequate vet care, though. Blue's history was documented, but obviously she'd been mistreated for a long time. Getting my dogs more physically health...
When both of my dogs came home, their systems had to get used to so much newness, including switching their foods over to the one they'd be on in the long run. Probiotics have been so helpful in combatting issues with digestive upset (which they both...
Critical Digestive Restore
One of the best and most important things to do to help dogs deal with their anxiety is to walk them. When Gracie first came home with us, I walked her several times a day. She needed that time to decompress, explore her surroundings through scent, a...
6 Scientific Benefits of Dog Walking: Your Dog Will Thank You - Whiskers to Tails Petsitting
Dealing with Doggy Anxiety
Both of my dogs still struggle with a certain amount of anxiety. Here are some of the tools that have helped them to overcome their fears.
The Happy Hoodie is SO helpful with any noise-based anxiety (like storms, fireworks, vacuuming, grooming dryer, etc.)
Happy Hoodie - 2 Pack - Pink
So much of figuring out what works for your dog is experimentation. The thundershirt (really more of a thunder vest) wasn't all that helpful for my dogs, but my parents' anxious rescue pup is so calmed by hers.
ThunderShirt Classic Anxiety & Calming Vest for Dogs
A lot of dogs using chewing to calm their anxiety. That's great until they're chewing on the wrong thing. Make sure you have plenty of appropriate chews to keep that chew reflex busy in the right direction.
DreamBone DreamSticks Beef Chews Dog Treats, 15 count
If your dog needs to be on prescription medication for their anxiety, we've found Chewy's online pharmacy to offer great prices and be really convenient to use.
Prescription Anxiety Medicine for Dogs
It's not an instant fix (what is?), but the probiotic strain in Purina Pro Plan Calming Care has been shown to help reduce dog anxiety over time. It wasn't a big enough difference for my dogs to keep using it, but if your dog is dealing with mild anx...
PURINA PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS Calming Care Liver Flavored ...
For occasional anxiety relief, these Heavenly Hounds treats are top-rated.
HEAVENLY HOUNDS Relaxation Square Peanut Butter ...
We call porkhide chews Gracie's “binkies.” They're the only chew that takes her longer than two seconds to gnaw on.
PORK CHOMPS Roasted Twists Dog Treats, Large, 15 count
Treat Yo' Pup
They may have started their lives in traumatic or negligent situations, but my dogs are sure as heck going to spend the rest of their lives enjoying every minute of being loved and pampered.
Gracie goes crazy over these nesting treat dispensers. They're versatile, too. You can use them as slow-feeders or licky mats.
West Paw Super Durable Recycled Material Toys
Am I the only one who switches out bows with the season? No?
Dog Collar Personalized, Dog Collar, Dog Collar Girl, Girly Dog Collar, Floral Puppy Collar, Dog Collar Girl, Cute Dog Collar, Girly Bow Dog, Cute Dog Bandana
A monthly box full of surprise treats and toys, with super-fun themes. It's all I'm sayin'.
If your dog is going to go ballistic every time UPS drives by, one of those boxes better occasionally be for them.
Gracie and Blue actually have five beds scattered around the house (don't judge me! ha) This one is their favorite for stretching out and snuggling. Supportive, and she doesn't get hot.
Furhaven Cooling Gel Dog Bed, Jumbo/XL, Green
What's the only thing dogs love more than a pup cup? Slurping it out of an adorable, reusable, personalized cup.
Reusable Pup Cup | Custom Puppuccino Mug | Dog Mom Gift | 2oz Personalized Pup Cup Mug
If I don't feel like switching Gracie's entire collar out, these collar bows are easy to quickly change out, and we always get compliments on how cute she looks.
PET SHOW 6PCS Dog Collar Bows & Flowers for Girls
These dog-safe birthday cookies are such a fun, cute, special way to celebrate your dog's birthday or adoption gotcha day!
Happy Barkday Box | Dog Birthday Gift | Dog Lover Gift | Dog Treats | Dog Bandana | Dog Birthday Party
This basket helps keeps Gracie's toys, dog treats, and snuffle mats organized and in one place.
Dog Toy Basket, Personalized Pet Toy Bin, Custom Dog Storage Box, Foldable Dog Toy Organizer, Dog Gift Basket, New Puppy Gift Basket
This personalized dog bowl is so adorable! Whether you're looking for a custom ceramic dog bowl for water or food, it doesn't get much classier than this one. Also makes a great puppy gift for a new dog mama!
Personalized Dog Bowl, Custom Dog Bowl, Dog Gift, Puppy Gift - Small/Medium Size - Ceramic
I love that this cute treat jar is both personalized and matches the bowl set.
Large Personalized Dog Treat Jar, Dog Gift, Puppy Gift, Dog Lover Gift, Treat Jar with Bone Tile and Name
Our dog is a member of the family, so of course she needs her own Christmas stocking. This cute personalized one has several different cute prints to choose from.
Personalized Dog Bone Christmas Stockings, Pet Stocking with Bow, Custom Holiday Decoration Plaid & Snowflake Dog Stocking for Family Ornament
Grace Face loves to prop up on her personalized doggy pillow (or hide her face underneath it when she's not having it).
Personalized Dog Bone Large Pet Pillow, Personalized Gifts for Pets, Pet Owner Gifts, Pet Furniture, Gifts for Pets, Stocking Stuffer
So if you haven't realized it yet, I'm pretty much a sucker for anything personalized for my dog. But the extra benefit of this one is that I can decide what goes into her treats. Especially good if your dog is on a special diet or needs to have thei...
Gift for a Dog Lover | Personalized Dog Bone Cookie Cutter for Treats (PICK SIZE & NAME!)
Love that you can engrave your dog's name and your contact info directly onto this cute personalized flowered dog collar!
Flower Dog Collar, Personalized Dog Collar With Name, Fabric Girl Dog Collars Are Cute, Adjustable, and Heavy Duty, Sizes XSmall - XLarge
A great item for multi-dog homes! These personalized scoops make it easy on you (and on any petsitters) to make sure that each of your dogs gets the right amount of food without any confusion.
Personalized Dog Food Scoop with White Accent, Pet Food Measuring Cup with Name, Kibble Scoop, Custom Dog Gift Idea
Gracie loves to snuggle under plush, cozy blankets.
Personalized Wild Rabbit Sandshell dog Blanket, Brown Beige Dog Blanket, Paw Puppy Blanket, Personalized Dog Blanket
Hanna Andersson has the cutest dog pj's, and they have matching pajama sets for the whole family, too! They're so soft and comfy. Makes for great famly pics.
BAGGU Dog Pajamas