Welcome to Four Paws Elkhound Rescue

Communication is so important.  

 

You and your Norwegian Elkhound rescue dog need to understand each other.  

 

Your rescue dog will give you clues.  Since they cannot speak, reading body language and picking up on subtle cues are paramount.  

 

Be calm and reassuring.  Norwegian Elkhound rescue dogs don’t have much confidence.  Remember they’ve just lost everything they have that’s familiar and important, and they don’t know why.

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Communicate what you want your rescue dog to give back to you.  If you show kindness and compassion, your rescue dog will learn to be more gentle and patient.   If you show anger and impatience, your resche dog will be the same way.

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Just as a human baby learns to communicate, so does a rescue dog.   It all takes time, repetition, and patience.  They may never have had someone try to talk to them or to sing.  They may have been yelled at, hit or abused.   Imagine how scared you would be if this happened to you?   

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We don't ever know our rescue dog's true story.  They cannot tell us.   Instead of inventing a story or spending all your time guessing, why not focus on the present and the future.  Build a relationship together that will be amazing for all of you.   

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Rescue dog's pick up on very subtle cues.  They see the smallest movements and gestures.  They hear the faintest inflections and tones.   You may not even realize you're communicating something to your dog that you didn't mean to.  Be very careful what you do and say.

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Just like you appreciate when someone is nice and kind to you, so does your rescue dog.  They may not immediately show it or they may not know how to express it.  Eventually they will get that the world is not such an awful place and they can feel secure.

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Talk to your rescue dog.  Tell them what you are doing and why.  Give them a simple routine that they understand you will be coming back if you leave.   They will be getting their next meal.  They will get loved on every single day.   Appreciate them and they will love you for life.  

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