Sara is a 2 year old female Cross-Breed. She is fostered in Norwich Norfolk. She came into our care from Romania as her carer there was moving to the UK and she was worried for her future.
Sara is a placid and sensitive girl who can be a little cautious of new people. She quickly warms up to family though and is an affectionate and friendly girl. Sara mixes well with other dogs but could also live as an only dog.
Sara would need an adult family as she can be anxious around playful behaviour. Sara can be reactive to other dogs on walks but ONLY if a figure of eight lead is not used in addition to her slip lead.
This combination eliminates all reactivity and she walks beautifully. Sara needs a calm and quiet home environment as she can be very anxious around visitors to the home.
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.
