The Mannered Mutt: A Simple Guide to Adopting a Rescue Dog

By Alec Torres

The Mannered Mutt: A Simple guide to Adopting a Rescue Dog helps the reader through every step of the dog adoption process. Author, Alec Torres, who has 16 years experience rescuing, fostering and training hundreds of dogs from the Los Angeles, California shelter system, walks you through the process from articulating your goals for your new dog, through deciding which shelter to adopt from and, after choosing your dog, how to kindly and intelligently integrate the lucky new pooch into your family. This book is intended to focus on the prevention of behavioral issues that may arise with your new dog so that you can enjoy a happy and seamless union.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365216237

Book preview

978-1-365-21623-7

Alec Torres

The Mannered Mutt:

A simple guide to adopting a rescue dog

A little note to the reader

Many friends and clients have urged me to write down all the things I have learned over years of rescuing, fostering, training and finding permanent homes for hundreds of dogs that have been consigned to the shelters in L.A. County. I have been of two minds about whether I should write this small book. It would be useful to have something I could give to adoptive families, a reference they could consult when I am not available. But a book seems too permanent to contain a knowledge set that is constantly growing and being revised with each new dog I encounter. Over the years I have developed some opinions and a particular way of voicing them. I'm told my voice has been useful to those new to the rescue community. Socializing and training dogs is both an art and a science. I'm glad to share what I have learned, and I ask you to remember that, like you, I am still learning.

Critical information you need to know before bringing your rescue dog home.

So, you have decided to rescue a second hand dog from a shelter or a rescue group. Wonderful! You have my full admiration, and that is why I decided to create this book.

I want more than anything to make sure you are supported in this endeavor. My hope for you is that you have a seamless transition and that your previous experience with dogs will serve you well; however if you have a few bumps along the way I want this book to provide you with all the support you need to get through the tough stuff, and on to a happy, awesome life with your lucky new pooch. Additionally, I will be offering some tips in how to select that new dog and what to look for in any candidates you are considering in case your search is beginning with this book, which would be a best-case scenario.

Section 1: The Basics

Intention is EVERYTHING!

When I get a call from someone who is hoping to have me assist them in an area animal shelter, the first question I ask them is what is their intention in adding a 4-legged member to their household. I usually get a pause, and a brief period of confusion from the other end of the line until I get the laundry list of goals. The reason I do this is that I find people often don't have goals in mind; they more likely plan on falling in love and hoping for the best.

Research has shown that having clear intentions is key to a positive outcome in most projects. I will be the first one to say that doggie matchmaking is part art and part science, but that science part should not be overlooked for the more appealing art part.

As an example, a clear intention would be someone wanting a dog to be a running buddy. Well, as an over-arching idea you might want to stay away from a dog who is stocky who is more likely to hang out on the couch watching TV. Instead, look for a dog that is leaner and longer in the leg. They will more likely be the athlete type buddy you're looking for.

In another example, someone might have several children under the age of 6. More times than not, these people go for a puppy so that the puppy will grow up with the kids. This is a nice thought, until your puppy has scratched and nipped and jumped on your toddler to the point that your toddler is afraid of the puppy. Don't laugh, I see this a lot. Instead I recommend to families with small children to look for a mellow mutt over the age of 3. I would even suggest they go to a large shelter covering a metropolitan area because I find that these dogs tend to be very social overall