Second-Hand Dog: How to Turn Yours into a First-Rate Pet

This book was recommended to me by a FEMA employee who had 3 working dogs. She lived next door to a 9 year old dog who was poorly treated and abandoned by the rest of the family when her elderly owner went into the hospital and never came home. This kind lady took it upon herself to find a new home for the dog. Many people had come to look at the dog but for one reason or other declined to take her home. What a blessing for us! She was a wonderful dog and very, very loyal. When we first brought her home, she showed the signs of anxiety described in the book. It was very helpful to see that this was common. There are many other situations addressed with helpful, common sense advice. It is readily apparent that the author truly understands Second-hand Dogs.When my in-laws acquired a beautiful dog that was rescued from use as a bait dog for training pit bulls (unbelievable how low some humans can sink), I ordered this book immediatly for them. They were happy to receive it. Their dog, also, has turned out to be a loyal and loving companion.I now have 3 recued dogs ages 4,8 and 13. This little book has been very helpful with each one. I highly recommend it.

Second-Hand Dog is one of the best books available for a person or family who is thinking about adopting or rescuing a dog (or cat) for their family. Animals who have come with "baggage" need special understanding and this book helps adoptive parents of the animals to understand why certain habits happen and how easily habits and withdrawals, shyness, nipping and sensitivities can be overcome with a little love and understand. Animals are in a shelter whether it is a rescue shelter, SPCA, Humane Society, County Pound, etc, because someone else had the animal and no longer wanted it. Many come with a past of abuse, neglect and have been abandoned, now they need love. This is an awesome book and should be purchased whenever an adoption of an animal is going to take place. Second-Hand Dog makes sense of what is happening and explains that no one of thing is to blame for what is happening during the adjustment period and no one should feel guilty. Just take a breath and this too shall pass. I was the Education Director for the Bakersfield SPCA when this book first came out and have recommended it to hundreds of people. I strongly recommend it. Good luck with your new family member.

I rescued a 1 year old dog and for the first few weeks she was calm, but then she became crazy frisky and I knew I needed to train her quickly. But too many videos and different training methods confused me. My friend recommended this book. The first few pages were an eye-opener to me and helped me to understand what she may have gone though. The training tips are clear and easy and we have just passed the STAR Puppy training. Highly recommend this book.

Good, concise advice, but could have been improved with day by day, detailed schedule for housebreaking a dog, for the inexperienced dog owner.

I can never keep this book in the house more than three seconds. I am always giving my copy to someone. It's my bible of dog rescue. It explains thing so well and with a sense of humor and good funny illustrations that even a child could understand. Forget spending a zillion dollars on the Monks of New Skete, or Cesar The Dog Whisperer, if you rescue or get a "previously owned dog" you HAVE to have this book. New, used. It doesn't matter. Read it. Read it even if you just bought purebred new puppy. It is insightful and charming and full of practical common sense. Better than the Dr. Spock of dog raising. If you work in animal rescue, buy several keep used copies in any condition. You can save dogs from being returned to the pound, etc.

I hate to be contrary, but this is primarily a book about training your dog, not about re-homing a dog. I give the book 4 stars for training suggestions, but only 2 for talking about specific issues for a rescued/adopted pet.I am disappointed because I'm considering getting a rescued dog and I'd like to know what to expect and how to deal with the specific problems that are unique to second hand dogs.Some things I wanted to know: What are typical health problems that come with a rescued dog? How do I deal with a dog that is fearful/anxious/depressed? How do I correct my dog without triggering a surprise negative response? How do I get my dog to accept affection? How do we make the dog feel comfortable and safe in his new home?This book will certainly come in handy for training, but I need some answers about what it takes to rehome and relove a rescued dog first. I'll need to go elsewhere.

For those that are disappointed the book doesn't go into specific rescue dog issues they are missing the point. First off it starts with an uplifting story about a seemingly hopeless case who turned into a wonderful pet.Rescue dogs are still dogs and need the same leadership and love that all dogs do. The quicker the new owner shows they have the dog's back and are in control the quicker the dog will feel secure. They need it even more because they had NO owner.This book does a great job of teaching anyone how do do this for a dog. Dogs live in the moment and the sooner you start making his moments great (by being the alpha he craves) the sooner he will blossom.I learned a lot from the book and my rescue is doing very well.

Wish we had read this before bringing our dog home. Much needed advice. Very well written.

great

This has got the basics of looking after a dog without really covering rescue dogs in particular. A good book but needs more information on how to make a rescue dog feel loved. Get this book but don't rely on it for specific information about rescue dogs... sorry!

Fairly quickly after starting this book I found myself flicking to the flyleaf to find the publication date. I was not surprised to read that it was written as a series of articles for a magazine between 1980 & 1987, the final version being published as a book in 1988. This explained the very old feel to the training ideal which are put forward, many of which are now widely believed to be ineffectual and wrong. For example the author still puts forward the theory that when a dog has done wrong while you are away, no matter when you return you whould take them to the point of their crime, gasp them by the collar and say 'no' loudly while shaking them to gain their attention.She also seems of the typically American view that dogs when not being walked should spend most of their time in a cage. If that's what they want then why have a dog in the first place?I also gained the impression that all the rescue dogs the author had ever met had nothing more than the slightest deviation from the canine behavioural norm. This book will NOT help you if you have an older dog with a lot of baggage.There is also the suggestion that you should stare down a wilful dog without anything more than a passing suggestion that this could be a bit debatable/dangerous depending on the dog.I also found the apparent need for large numbers of pointless cartoons somewhat annoying. They did nothing except show the author was appearing to pay homage to James Thurber in her cartooning style.All in all I have to say that I found this book of no use whatsoever and if you have a seriously problematic rescue dog this book will be a complete waste of time and money