Misfit Mutts Dog Training

In these difficult times, the need for pet food assistance in our state has greatly increased. Rhode Island has multiple pet food pantries run through local shelters, rescue groups, and charitable organizations. If you or someone you know needs help in feeding their pets, visit https://www.ripetnetwork.org/pet-pantries to download this list!

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To those contemplating the rehoming of a pet, this is not intended to cause shame or guilt, but rather to encourage thoughtful consideration.

It is essential to recognize that there is no ideal home where individuals magically acquire more time or resources. Similarly, there is no farmer in need of an untrained dog, nor is there a rescue organization with unlimited resources and time to devote to every dog.

The reality is that many well-behaved and loving dogs languish in shelters and foster care for extended periods, sometimes exceeding a year, without receiving any adoption applications.

Before resorting to rehoming, it is crucial to exhaust all available options and make every effort to ensure a successful and fulfilling life for your pet. This may involve seeking professional training, exploring alternative care arrangements, or addressing any behavioral challenges.

Remember, rehoming should only be considered as a last resort, and every effort should be made to find a suitable and loving home for your pet.

In Maine we have a saying, "hard telling, not knowing."

You can apply this to most all rescue and shelter dogs.

Dogs may be scared of things because they have never seen it before or because they think it's weird or creepy.
It doesn't always mean the dog was abused by it.

Benny thinks the bucket for the cedar mop is kind of weird. He definitely has never been abused by this bucket. It's just a weird sound!

So was your rescue dog abused by a man with a beard or by a broom or in a car?

Rescues, please be mindful that making up abuse stories about dogs doesn't help educate the public and can make you appear not credible.
Dogs are cool. They don't need sob stories.

Hard telling not knowing.

Remember, reinforcers are in the eye of the beholder and scary things or punishments are in the eye of the beholder. Your dog doesn't need to be abused to respect and honor their worries.
You can help them out no matter why they have big feelings.
Benny has a concern about the mop bucket. We can help him out even though the bucket has never hurt him. That's not the important part. The important thing is that he has a worry.