Hey everyone… my partner and I are planning to adopt two Portuguese Water Dogs from a rescue this Saturday. They’re 1.5 years old and have lived in a kennel their whole lives. We lost our GSD in April and our Mutt in June, so we’re finally ready to welcome new pups into our family. The GSD was super easy to train, but the Mutt had some challenges. We’re no strangers to working through issues, but I’d love some advice on what to look for when we meet the boys. Any red flags we should be aware of? Thanks a ton.
Congrats on considering the new pups. Look for signs of fear, like cowering or hiding. It might mean they need extra patience.
Kimberly said:
Congrats on considering the new pups. Look for signs of fear, like cowering or hiding. It might mean they need extra patience.
Yeah, definitely. Also, watch how they interact with people and other dogs. Aggression or extreme shyness can be red flags.
TrainYourTail said:
@PupProGuide4
What do you mean by extreme shyness? Like, if they just avoid everyone?
Exactly. If they seem really scared to come out or interact, it might take a lot of work to help them feel safe.
Make sure to look at their body language. A wagging tail is good, but if it’s tucked, that’s a no-go.
Wyatt said:
Make sure to look at their body language. A wagging tail is good, but if it’s tucked, that’s a no-go.
What if they seem really excited instead of scared? Is that a good sign?
@MatthewKing
Totally. Just make sure they’re not overly hyper, like bouncing off the walls. A balance is key.
If they seem reactive or overly curious about everything, it might mean they haven’t been socialized well. Just watch their behavior closely.
Mark said:
If they seem reactive or overly curious about everything, it might mean they haven’t been socialized well. Just watch their behavior closely.
What does reactive mean? Like, barking or lunging?
@Faithjones
Yep, exactly. If they’re barking a lot or trying to lunge at things, that could be a sign they need more training.
Good luck. It’s awesome that you’re giving them a chance. Just remember to take your time with them.