Purebred Rescue Dog Adoption
Rewards and Realities

by Liz Palika

Each year, millions of purebred dogs are given up by their owners for a variety of reasons. Thanks to the recovery and rehabilitative efforts of rescue organizations, many of these dogs are saved – and go on to become extraordinary companion animals.

Now Purebred Rescue Dog Adoption helps you decide if adopting a purebred rescue dog is right for you. Professional dog trainer and purebred rescue expert Liz Palika explains how to locate local and national rescue groups, what you can expect from the adoption process – and from your rescue dog – and how to help your dog make a successful transition to your "forever home."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1- Too Many Dogs, Not Enough Homes

2- Purebred Dog Rescue

3- Is A Rescue Dog Right For You?

4- The Adoption Process

5- Before You Bring Your New Dog Home

6- The Big Move

7- Building A Relationship

8- Introducing the Dog to Your World

9- Housetraining Your Rescue Dog

10- All Rescue Dogs Need Some Training

11- Working Through Problem Behaviors

12- Aggression

13- When it just isn’t Working

14- Do You Want to Do Rescue Work?

Appendix: Internet Resources for purebred dog rescue

INTRODUCTION

Watachie was a purebred rescue dog. He and his littermates had been abandoned in a rural area and survived by eating road kill. The four surviving puppies (at least three had been hit by cars) were taken in by German Shepherd Dog Rescue, as the puppies appeared to be German Shepherds, and, to be honest, one of the rescuers had a soft spot for puppies! Infested with internal parasites, suffering from bronchitis, skinny and wary of people, the puppies were not in the best of shape. I adopted one of them only after the rescue volunteers warned me of the special care they would need.

As he grew, it became clear that he was, indeed, a purebred German Shepherd. He was handsome, quick thinking, funny, and wanted to please me. He thrived in obedience training, competed in Frisbee contests, learned to pull a wagon, and learned agility on a police obstacle course. He became a certified search and rescue dog, and with an AKC ILP (Indefinite Listing Privilege), earned his Utility Dog title with several High In Trials and High Combined Scores.

Even though I had owned dogs before, I had never had a relationship with a dog like I had with Watachie. I was the center of his universe; he made me feel like I was someone worthwhile and incredibly special.

Watachie died too young, at the age of eight, leaving me with a gaping hole in my heart. But looking back, I knew he accomplished what he set out to do. Not only was he a wonderful companion, but Watachie showed me my life’s work. I found I enjoyed training dogs and loved teaching people how to train their own dogs. My article about Watachie was my first published article, and the responses to that article were my first “fan mail.” I learned my writing could touch people. And, because of Watachie, I found out about purebred dog rescue. Because of Watachie, dogs became my calling, my joy, and my profession.

Thanks, Watachie. I miss you still.

Love, Liz

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