“We’ve got her behaviour patterns and timings. It’s now just a matter of ‘trust’ and fingers crossed!”

Whether a dog is abandoned and being re-homed or a ‘bought-off-the-shelf’ canine is welcomed in a home, training is important. “The main point is the dog is going to be part of the family environment. Structured and planned. It knows where it fits in. Or not, as the case may be!” The canine-pal has a new environment to adapt to, having old ones already imprinted. Having a home, abandoned, and then re-homed. All terribly different to a dog and how it’s going to react.

“It has to be a wait-and-see compromise. No brandishing leads, rolled-up newspapers, shouting.” A human wouldn’t respond, nor would a doggy-pal. It would become withdrawn and perhaps even more traumatised. “Building trust is the only way, and it has to work both ways. Canine and human. Teamwork.” The dog you have bought has been bred somewhere, and it, too, will be carrying indelible traces of behaviour that may no longer be acceptable in a family home. Finding out at the very beginning where your trust lies is most important.

The dog you may have wanted as an ‘inside’ pal has, in the heat, now become an outsider. It has shown signs from the beginning that this was how it should be. But these traits and signs have been ignored. Re-learning is difficult but not impossible with both working as a team. Respect for each other’s space and time-out. You may not want a hot, hairy, panting dog over you, and your dog may not want an over-friendly, enthusiastic hugger either, it works both ways! “If the dog has been gradually staying in the garden or patio later in the good weather, maybe it's cooler, and the dog is happier. A little compromise goes a long way.” The cunning canine will find its way around the shade and cool areas, opting to stay inside during the really hot daytime weather. Ensure it's fully vaccinated!

Visit APAA Charity shops Dunas do Alvor: Mon-Sat 10.30 am–2pm Rua Elias Garcia 20, Silves: Mon-Fri 10am–2pm(Sat 1 pm) Silves. Real bargains. Books, gifts. Hand-made jewellery, ornaments. Home-made chutneys, jams, marmalades, pickles and cookies. Glassware, dinner services, cutlery. Clothing. Everything you need for your home or rental. All proceeds raised for SNiP and Abandoned animals. Having a clear-out? Think APAA.

Jackie’s lunches & events: events.apaaportugal@gmail.com

Pets:info.apaaportugal@gmail.com (Mark Anita for ‘Legacy for Pets’)

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