Kover warns that dog owners should not try to diagnose their pup’s behavior themselves or put off meeting with a professional. “While most dogs will exhibit a lot of warning behaviors before they lash out aggressively, people often misread or ignore those signals,” Kover says. “By the time a dog exhibits obviously aggressive behavior, professional intervention should be a family's first priority.”
The first few months are critical when taking a rescue out of a shelter environment and introducing him to his forever home. Behavior can change as the pup gets more comfortable and confident in his new home. Working with the pup early to properly socialize and diagnose any issues can have a major impact on the dog’s future success as a loving family pet. “When you’re adopting a rescue, especially an older rescue, within the first couple weeks to a month, I would recommend seeing a trainer even if you don’t see a problem, because the chances are we could see something that you don’t,” Semel says.
Looking for a good trainer can seem daunting, so Kover suggests starting small. “Personal recommendations from friends or veterinarians, and/or trainers who rest well with your intuition, are a great place to start! But I would always ask for references, and be sure you know up front what kind of treatment the trainer is going to give your dog,” Kover says.
Positive reinforcement techniques, such as teaching with praise, toys, treats and plenty of patience helps shelter dogs not only enjoy the training, but also build a healthy, trusting relationship with their new owner, recommends Semel.