Why you shouldn’t rescue your ‘dream dog’ & the destructive behaviours you can’t ignore, pooch pro reveals

WE ALL like to swoon over our favourite dog breed online, hoping one day we can bring one home. But a dog trainer has revealed why waiting to adopt your 'dream dog' can be a big mistake. Sue Ketland, a behaviour and training specialist at Woodgreen Pets Charity has worked with dogs for over two decades and knows a thing or two about helping families pick the right rescue dog to take home. With the new Channel Four series of The Dog House on TV now, she sits down exclusively with Fabulous to discuss her top tips for bringing the right pooch home.

Of course, Sue notes everyone is going to be looking for something different in a dog. But for first-time owners, she urges you not to get your hopes up about your dream pooch if it's something like a Border Collie or Husky. Both breeds need a lot of training and a lot of stimulation to keep them happy so won't be the easiest for first-time owners. She says: "Your dream dog might be something with real high drive, lots of energy, intelligence, that kind of thing.

"But you almost need to work up to having the right skill set to be able to allow that dog to thrive.". Instead, the dog expert suggests going for a mixed breed dog or some of the calmer breeds to start with so you can learn what it's like to have a dog. She adds: "When I first passed my driving test, not that I could have afforded it anyway, but I would never have gone out and bought something like a Ferrari.

"Because the chances are I'd have wrapped it around the first lamppost.". If you are struggling to find a breed you like the look of, Sue says you have to spend time researching to see which have the best temperament and lifestyle that matches yours and your family. The dog expert also recommends seeing how good your children are with dogs, instead of putting all the responsibility on the pooch. "Really, we also need to look at their children and say, are my children good with dogs? Because it's a two-way street," she explains.

"Teaching children how to respect boundaries and never touch a dog while it is eating or sleeping.". Owning and keeping a dog happy and healthy is not only a long-term financial, but a lifetime commitment. Nine facts you should know ahead of time:. When you have got your new pooch home from a rescue center it can take a while for them to adapt. It's tempting to have everyone come and see your new family member once it's home but Sue warns against this.

"The new dog needs to get to know you, the immediate family, the people that it's going to be living with," the dog trainer explains. "You need to spend at least the first three or four days just forming that bond, that relationship, the dog getting to know every square inch of the house and garden that he's been brought into, learning a new route on his dog walk, that kind of thing. And he just needs a little bit of time to decompress.".

To help get them settled and trained, Sue encourages positive reinforcement - giving them treats for good behaviour. Some dogs will have 'destructive' behaviour in a new routine, but it doesn't mean they're bad. It can be a sign they are bored or frustrated and need extra stimulation. Sue suggests looking out for: "Nuisance barking and digging to Australia in the garden.". But that doesn't mean they just need two walks a day.