09/02/2026
Rescuing a dog is only the beginning❤️
This is Tina, and she was rescued by a loving family three months ago. Tina arrived at my house four days ago for two weeks of dog training. And that’s a good thing, because this sweet little girl has a lot to learn.
Her family had been trying for three months to get her to walk on a leash with no success. She didn’t want to leave the house. She’s afraid of almost everything. She’s affectionate and a little playful, but she doesn’t even seem to understand that playing with another dog is something she can do or enjoy.
It truly seems like in the beginning of Tina‘s life, someone just loved her – and thank God for that. But I don’t think she was ever really exposed to the world outside her home.
When you bring home a puppy, you’re basically starting with a blank slate – and you’re 100% responsible for what you create. When you rescue an older dog, you’re not starting from scratch. They may already be affectionate, loving, house trained, or know a few commands. In some ways you’re getting a Headstart. But you’re also bringing home a history – and many times that history is a mystery.
A rescued dog may not fit perfectly into your life on day one. There may be fears, behaviors, and experiences that you have to work through together. Unfortunately, all too often dogs are returned when they turn out not to be the perfect fit their new family imagined. Dogs are sensitive, deeply loving creatures. Every time they are returned, moved from home to home, or shuffled from foster to foster it can affect them and their behavior.
Rescuing a dog is a commitment to help that animal – not just a commitment to bring them home and give it a try.
Tina is already making progress because her family took their commitment to her seriously. When they realized she needed more help then they could give her on their own, they brought her to me for training. After three months of refusing to walk on a leash, she is walking on a leash. Yesterday, I even took her to the dog park for the first time. Did she have a fantastic time? Absolutely not.😂 but she went. She explored. She handled it very well. And considering where she started, that was a pretty big deal.
Tina doesn’t need to be a perfect fit right now. She needs the people who rescued her to be committed to helping her become one. And they are❤️❤️