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Thinking about adopting a rescue dog? Already have one and finding it challenging?
In this episode of The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily, host Nathan Dunleavy is joined by animal behaviour specialist Tom Candy CCAB, who is the Senior Training & Behaviour Advisor for Dogs Trust, and has spent 15 years working in rescue and shelter environments, to talk about everything adopters need to know to help their rescue dog settle in and truly thrive.
Tom shares expert, practical advice on why rescue dogs behave the way they do, what you can realistically expect in those first weeks at home, and how to build a bond that sets both you and your dog up for long-term happiness together.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why behavioural care is just as vital as physical health in rescue shelters
✅ What the decompression period is and why your new rescue dog needs time to adjust
✅ The “Rule of Three” — three days, three weeks, three months explained
✅ The most common behavioural challenges seen in rescue dogs right now
✅ How enrichment helps anxious and fearful dogs build confidence
✅ The biggest mistakes new adopters make, and how to avoid them
✅ How shelters can better prepare adopters for a smooth transition
✅ What to consider before adopting a rescue dog to find the right match
✅ Why dogs are being imported from abroad, and what that means for UK rescues
✅ How to access ongoing support after bringing your rescue dog home
Key Takeaways:
- Nearly 60% of dogs are returned to rescues due to problem behaviour, good behavioural support from day one makes a real difference
- Dogs are not designed for kennel environments; getting them into homes quickly with the right preparation is crucial for their welfare
- Take things slow when you bring a rescue home, resist the urge to introduce too much too soon
- Focus on what you want your dog to do, not what you don’t want — set them up for success with management and positive reinforcement
- Reach out to your rescue early if you’re struggling because small issues are much easier to resolve before they become bigger problems
- Think like an estate agent, not a shopper. Tell rescues what you need from a dog, not just the breed you want
- Enrichment isn’t just fun, it meets dogs’ mental needs, reduces stress and strengthens your bond
- The UK rescue sector is becoming more flexible; barriers like having children or living in a flat shouldn’t automatically rule you out
Find a local dog rescue on Yappily 👉
Thanks for tuning in! Let’s celebrate the joy and challenges of dog parenting together, because we’re all here for the dogs.
Connect with Tom
Simplifying Shelter Behaviour on Facebook
Simplifying Shelter Behaviour website
Simplifying Shelter Behaviour podcast
Connect with Nathan and Yappily
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