Some dogs spend several years inside an animal shelter because no one wants to adopt them. Sadly, many dogs like those often end up getting euthanized. However, some dogs are lucky enough to be adopted even after being stuck in an animal shelter for years.
Source: The Dodo via YouTube.
A dog named Rusty has spent over 800 days in an animal shelter. He has been with several foster parents, but they all returned him to the animal shelter after only a few days. That’s because everyone who tried caring for Rusty could not make him get along with other dogs.
One day, a woman named Lisa found out about Rusty’s predicament. Despite knowing the dog’s history, she was determined to help him. She signed up as Rusty’s foster parent, determined to make a difference.
Unlike Rusty’s previous foster parents, Lisa was more lenient and allowed him to do whatever he wanted. She believed that being too strict confused Rusty, which made it harder for him to cooperate. She wanted the dog to learn proper behavior at his own pace.
Rusty eventually learned to socialize with other dogs, something he had trouble doing before. He also became more outgoing around people. Those changes were the results of Lisa’s patience and unusual training methods.
Rusty belongs to a breed that is classified as a working dog. Such a type of dog requires activities that would keep it busy. That’s why Lisa ensured anyone who wanted to adopt Rusty knew what kind of dog they would get.
Eventually, Lisa found a family that could give Rusty the life suited for him. The family had two kids, so he would always have someone to play with. Furthermore, they lead an active lifestyle, ensuring the dog never gets bored.
Lisa sets a good example of how to treat dogs with behavior issues. She figured out what Rusty needed and used that information to train him at a reasonable pace. Furthermore, she showed the importance of patience and understanding in helping dogs rehabilitate.