We got a rescue dog from kennels 2 weeks ago so still early days,great all day and walks brilliant but as soon as it gets dark starts barking and panting really showing signs of stress will settle for a short while and then the barking starts again we are really lost on how to help him,any advice?Settles all night when we go to bed,no barking or any problems.
Hi there and welcome to the forum! Good for you for taking on a rescue dog. How much do you know about his background that might give you a clue to this? It sounds like he is distressed about something, for sure, but it's really hard to know what it might be. It is early days yet, it takes quite some time for some dogs to settle in to a new home. We adopted a dog who was 8 months old from another family and it took him about 4-5 months to truly settle in and relax around us. So some of this might just be a matter of time, giving him a structure of regular times when things happen such as meals, walks, bedtime, etc so that he can feel comfortable with his new home. You could also talk to your vet about it and see what he thinks.
Hi Sharon, Welcome to the Forum.Good advice from Lisa about it taking time for rescues to settle.He sounds like he's adapted to your home so well it's probably hard to remember that it is only very early days .....If he's panting he's anxious ....maybe in the past he was put outside when it was dark? Maybe something frightened him when he was taken out for a last toilet and it was dark? If he settles down when you go to bed ,it sounds like that anxiety passes ....If your evening routine remains consistent and reassuring for him then this may pass as he becomes more comfortable on your home.....I really hope somit must be distressing for you to see him upset x
Hello there and welcome! Poor boy, sounds like something bad used to happen in the evenings... As the others said, time will reassure him that he is safe with you. Just stay really calm and try to keep things quiet and relaxed in the evening. He'll come round, I'm sure.
Hi and welcome. Good on your for taking him on. As Karen says above, it does sound like he may of had something bad happen in the evening which makes him anxious. Keep reassuring him and I'm sure he will calm down. Make sure you keep your voice upbeat as that will help.
Welcome to you from Mags, Tatze and Mollie Tatze is my pet dog, a black Lab and she's three years old. Tatze means 'paw' in German. Mollie is my fourth Guide Dog puppy, a black Lab and she's seventeen weeks old. Maybe try giving him something to chew like a filled Kong? Dogs find chewing very soothing. ...
So rescue centres will have a behaviourists available for rehomed dogs. If yours does perhaps they me be able to help ?
Hello and welcome. Like the others have said something must of happen to him before. Sit on the floor with him and be quiet and relaxed. I am sure when he has been with you for some time he will be ok and feel safe
Hi there, 2 weeks is very, very early in the scheme of things. How old is the lad? There is obviously some anxiety there and it is very difficult to understand why, really I would just work with what you see in the dog in front of you. Don't be tempted to molly coddle, as this actually can cause stress. Rescues are very confused, and do need a bit of space to help process their new surroundings. This means, lots of calm reassurance in the evenings, maybe introduce a crate as a safe den area, this is what we did with most of our fosters.
Welcome Sharon from Hattie 9 years and our rescue boy Charlie 6 years. As everyone has said, something must have happened to him, maybe he was kennelled outside and something scared him. It can take months and months for a rescue dog to truly settle so take it steady and be consistent. When it starts to get dark give him a chew or a stuffed kong so that he knows something good is going to happen. Do you have a crate? It would be a good idea and also to cover it with a sheet so that he can settle, you could feed him his treat in his crate too. I am sure it will pass in time. x
Hi there, welcome from me and Lilly. I agree with the others, it's early days yet. I was wondering about having a safe place or den too - a crate is the norm, but I guess if there is something bad in his past he may be wary of a crate, so a covered space behind a sofa or under a table could be an alternative. jac
Thank you everyone for the advice.We had a home visit today from the people at the kennel and they informed us he was left in on his own all day until his last owner came in from work then would be walked and played with at night-time.Also he was at the kennel for 3 months so would be left at night on his own.Just trying to keep calm with him no playing lots of reassuring him and chews and kongs to keep his mind busy.He is 18 months old and such a good dog.Just need to give him time to settle and realise he is here for good and is safe.x
Sounds like he has landed on his paws with you! I don't think there is anything quite like the reward when a rescue realizes his is home, and safe
*Update It's been 6 weeks now since we rescued Buddy and I must say we have landed on our feet!He is an absolute pleasure.The Night Time Barking and stress stopped after 4 weeks.One night when he started the behaviour my sons lifeguard whistle was laying on the table my husband gave a sharp blow with it Buddy stopped barking straight away and has not done it since.He now has his dinner and stretches out on the floor until it's time for his last walk.He is so well behaved around other dogs and we just love him to bits.
