How to Train Your Rescue Dog: A Complete Guide

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Bringing a rescue dog home is incredibly rewarding. You're giving a dog a second chance, but it's a big change for both of you. Understandably, shelters can be stressful, so creating a calm environment is key. This guide covers everything about how to train a rescue dog, from prepping your home to mastering basic commands. We'll even talk about when to start training a rescue dog and when to call in the pros. Let's help your new companion thrive!

All dogs deserve an adjustment period: time to relax and decompress when they undergo a huge environmental change. And becoming part of a new household is quite the change! Dogs who have lived in shelters deserve extra consideration as they adjust to home life after living in a very stimulating (and sometimes frightening) environment. The sights, sounds, smells, routines, and general chaos of a shelter can take a toll on a rescue dog, especially if they were housed there for a lengthy period (or during a critical time in their own development, like part of young puppyhood).

Plus sometimes much of a shelter dog’s past life is unknown, including a history of abuse or history of neglect. While these things aren’t the most common previous experiences—most furry friends in the rescue world are surrendered due to circumstances like their guardians moving or having financial struggles, rather than outright abandonment or harm—they are possibilities to keep in mind as you try to set up a calm environment for your new dog.

What that means for you: Anyone adopting a shelter dog, especially first-time dog owners, should be prepared to ask lots of questions. If you need help before you bring a new dog home from the shelter, talk to a credentialed professional trainer who utilizes modern, humane training methods to prepare you for basic obedience training—and work you through any behavior obstacles you may face when your dog comes home.

When introduced to their home with care and compassion, shelter dogs can make some of the best family members! And saving a life is one of the most rewarding experiences.

Prep Your Home for Your Rescue Dog

• Has the dog you’re interested in shown any signs of fear or aggression?


• How is your potential new family member with bathing and grooming activities?


• How do they feel about putting on gear (collar, harness, etc.)?


• What about their reaction to body handling?


• How do they feel about getting in/out and riding in a car?


• What kind of activities do they enjoy?


• How energetic are they?


• Do they have protect/guard resources (food, toys, spaces, etc.)?


• Do they have any injuries or health conditions?


• Are they house trained? What about crate trained?


• Has the dog met children and how did they react?


• How does the dog do with other dogs and other animals?


• Does the shelter anticipate any specific training issues? (If so, this doesn’t have to be an automatic dealbreaker! Behavioral cases—like particularly fearful rescue dogs or those who display unwanted behaviors in a shelter environment—can often become excellent companions. Adopters just need to be prepared for more work, and ready to work with a positive reinforcement trainer from the get go.)

Key Takeaways

• Prioritize patience and create a calming environment: Give your rescue dog ample time to adjust to their new home, minimizing stress and offering a predictable routine. Focus on building a positive relationship through gentle interactions and rewards.


• Socialize safely and train effectively: Use secure spaces like Sniffspot to gradually introduce your dog to new experiences and build confidence. Work with a qualified trainer to teach essential cues and address any behavioral concerns.


• Recognize when professional guidance is needed: Don't hesitate to seek help from a certified trainer, behavior consultant, or veterinary behaviorist if your dog struggles with fear, anxiety, or aggression. Early intervention can make a significant difference.

Why Socialization Matters for Rescue Dogs

Many shelter dogs lack socialization through no fault of their own. The window for initial puppy socialization closes between 16 and 20 weeks of age—these periods of time are when having positive experiences with as many sights, sounds, smells, and sensations is the most important. Adopting an adult dog means the window for critical socialization has closed for them. While providing positive experiences that help build an older puppy or adult dog’s confidence is possible, this is no longer considered socialization. Unless the information has been provided when the dog is surrendered, you are unlikely to have information on life with their previous owner, or how a shelter dog was socialized as a puppy.

Not all dogs have been socialized to children. This is a very important consideration before you decide to adopt a shelter dog–the last thing you want is to put a child at risk. Talk to the staff about the best way to introduce children to a new dog, or contact a trainer to help guide you through the slow introduction process to ensure everyone, furry and human, is safe.

Fearfulness, anxiety, and related behavior issues require counterconditioning and desensitization (and possibly medication) before the dog is able to learn. In other words, training by itself does not fix behavior issues. An experienced trainer, behavior consultant, and/or Veterinary Behaviorist may be necessary. It’s worth noting here that not all behavior issues are caused by trauma. Genetics, lack of proper socialization, health issues, and learning history are all factors. A puppy is not a blank slate, and these same factors apply to their development. Dogs experience stress, and those experiences affect their ability to learn.

Finding Socialization Opportunities on Sniffspot

Many rescue dogs haven’t had sufficient early socialization, which is most critical between 16 and 20 weeks of age. This can lead to fear, anxiety, or other behavior issues in new environments. If you’ve adopted an adult dog, remember that their critical socialization window has closed. You can still create positive experiences to build their confidence, but this differs from early puppy socialization. If your dog shows signs of fear or anxiety, consult a qualified trainer or veterinary behaviorist.

Sniffspot can be a valuable tool for creating these positive experiences. With thousands of private dog parks, you can find a safe, controlled environment to help your dog adjust. Look for spots with features that meet your dog's needs, such as water parks for dogs who love to swim, or quiet, secluded areas for more timid dogs. Sniffspot also offers resources on dog names, enrichment activities, and top dog trainers to support your dog's overall well-being.

Easing Your Rescue Dog into Their New Life

• Three days to rest and decompress


• Three weeks to settle in and establish a routine


• Three months to become fully integrated into your home

Give Your Rescue Pup Space to Decompress

Decompression refers to spending time away from frightening or triggering stimuli and focusing on rest and relaxation. The main focus of decompression is reducing baseline stress. Make sure your new dog’s needs are being met as far as nutrition and rest, or any medical care they may require. The first few weeks after your shelter dog comes home should be very low key. Avoid busy places (dog parks, cafe patios, friends’ houses, gatherings). It is best to limit human interactions to immediate family if possible.

Go at your dog’s pace, especially if your shelter dog is fearful. Step into your dog’s shoes. Everything in your shelter dog’s world is new when they come home with you. Try to imagine how overwhelming it might be for them. Be patient and adjust your expectations so you can help your dog in each new situation they encounter. Provide lots of positive rewards along the way!

Enrichment Activities for Your New Dog

Start a Routine with Your Rescue Dog

• Schedules are especially important for house training. Take your new family pet outside at regular intervals: after meal times, after indoor exercise, and after naps are a great place to start.


• Schedules can also help with crate training, if that’s something you want to pursue with your rescue dog. (When used properly, crates can serve as important safe spaces to help shelter pups handle family life!) You can teach your new addition that there is a different between exciting time (for play and social interaction) and rest time (settling in a calm space).

Understanding Your Rescue Dog's Personality

Begin Training Your Rescue Dog at Home

Kathy Sdao’s See Mark And Reward Training (SMART) is the best example of this simple type of training. Eye contact, responding to their name, resting in one of the comfy spots you’ve made for them (a crate or a bed), are all great behaviors to reinforce.

Once they’ve had some time to get used to your household, figure out what your dog likes to do. What kind of toys do they like? What’s their play style? What is interesting to them if you’re going on a walk? Provide your dog with activities they enjoy and observe their behavior afterward. What activities help them settle and rest? When do they seem most engaged with you? Keep track of what kind of treats they like the best for when you begin training in earnest.

The 3-3-3 Rule: Managing Expectations

• Three days to rest and decompress


• Three weeks to settle in and establish a routine


• Three months to become fully integrated into your home

Is a Training Class Right for Your Rescue?

Group classes are as much (if not more) for the human end of the leash as they are for the canine end. You may be assigned homework. Group classes are generally structured so each session builds on the next, so remember to do your homework. Although the class may be called “obedience,” the purpose of group classes with a humane, positive reinforcement based trainer is to strengthen the bond between human and dog. You’re in it together! You’ll learn cues (basic commands) like sit, down, stay, begin the journey of walking together with a leash, and other basic obedience-related behaviors. If a formal obedience class is your thing, there are many that use rewards-based training methods.

Once you learn the basics, your dog may enjoy a tricks class or other more advanced training program. Most training facilities offer a variety of classes, so if you find a trainer or facility you like, see what else your dog might enjoy. Any dog can learn new skills or cool tricks as long as they are having a good time!

Group Classes vs. Private Training

Many trainers offer a combination of private and group lessons, so you can transition to group classes once your dog has developed some basic skills and confidence. Private training also allows for more personalized attention and feedback. You'll have the trainer's undivided focus, which can be especially helpful if you're a first-time dog owner or are facing a particularly challenging behavior issue. Plus, private lessons can be scheduled at your convenience and often take place in your home, reducing stress for your dog. Think of private training as building a solid foundation—it equips you and your dog with the tools you need to succeed, whether you continue with private lessons, join a group class later, or both.

Choosing the Right Trainer for Your Rescue Dog

Training Your Rescue Dog: Short and Sweet

Use small, soft, smelly treats that are appealing to your dog and easy to chew. You’ll go through a lot of them during your training sessions. Dry treats require more chewing and often don’t work well for class, but this is where finding out what treats your dog prefers comes in handy.

Mastering Basic Commands: Sit, Stay, Come, Down

Teaching "Leave It" and "Place"

Leash Training Tips and Techniques

House-training Your Rescue Dog

Crate Training Made Easy

When to Seek Professional Help

Recognizing Signs of Fear and Aggression

Not all dogs have been socialized to children, and this is a crucial factor to consider before adopting. You never want to put a child at risk. Talk to the shelter staff about the best way to introduce children to a new dog, or consult a certified dog trainer for guidance. A slow, careful introduction process ensures everyone's safety.

It's important to understand that training alone doesn't fix behavioral issues rooted in fear, anxiety, or aggression. These issues often require counterconditioning, desensitization, and sometimes even medication, before a dog is ready to learn. A combination of approaches may be necessary, and an experienced trainer, behavior consultant, or Veterinary Behaviorist can provide valuable support. Remember, not all behavior issues stem from trauma. Genetics, insufficient socialization, health problems, and learned behaviors all play a role. Learn more about addressing behavioral issues in dogs.

Addressing Separation Anxiety

Decompression means time away from potentially frightening or triggering stimuli, allowing your dog to rest and relax. The primary goal is to reduce their baseline stress. Ensure their basic needs are met, including nutrition, rest, and any necessary medical care. Keep the first few weeks low-key, avoiding busy places like dog parks, cafes, or gatherings. If possible, limit human interaction to immediate family members. For a deeper dive into this topic, explore resources on decompression for dogs.

Most importantly, go at your dog's pace, especially if they're fearful. Put yourself in their paws and consider how overwhelming a new environment can be. Be patient, adjust your expectations, and offer plenty of positive reinforcement as they encounter new situations. Learn more about supporting your new dog's adjustment.

Training a Rescue Dog: Next Steps

It is worth noting that just because a dog exhibits nervous or fearful behaviors when they first come home, they may not have a behavior issue. You should, however, monitor the dog’s body language closely. This is very important information for an experienced dog trainer, behavior consultant, Veterinarian, or Veterinary Behaviorist should you need additional help.

Dogs, like humans, enjoy lifelong learning. So don’t just stop with the basics. Learn and grow together!

Expert Review of Rescue Dog Training Tips

This is the trainer that reviewed this article:

Olivia Peterson, CCS
Owner – Sound Connection Dog Training WSU Bachelors in Animal Science Business Management. Northwest School of Canine Studies (NWSCS) Certification

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Frequently Asked Questions

My rescue dog seems fearful. How can I help them build confidence? Patience and positive reinforcement are your best allies. Avoid forcing interactions and focus on creating positive associations with new experiences. Short, fun training sessions using high-value treats can help build confidence. Controlled environments like Sniffspot's private dog parks can offer safe socialization opportunities. If fear or anxiety persists, consult a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist.

What's the best way to start training a rescue dog? Begin with simple, positive reinforcement methods. Reward desired behaviors, like making eye contact or resting calmly, with treats and praise. Focus on building a positive relationship and understanding your dog's communication signals before introducing formal obedience cues. Keep training sessions short, fun, and focused on success.

Is a group training class suitable for all rescue dogs? While group classes can be beneficial for socialization and learning basic cues, they aren't ideal for every dog. If your dog exhibits fear or reactivity towards other dogs or people, private training might be a better starting point. A qualified trainer can assess your dog's individual needs and create a tailored plan in a safe, controlled environment.

When should I seek professional help for my rescue dog's behavior? If your dog displays persistent fear, anxiety, aggression, or other behavioral challenges that you're struggling to address, it's time to consult a professional. A certified trainer, behavior consultant, or veterinary behaviorist can provide expert guidance and develop a customized plan to help your dog overcome these challenges. Early intervention is often more effective, so don't hesitate to reach out for support.