Training a Rescue Dog: Patience, Love, and Treats

As my kids were finishing up high school, I found I had more time on my hands and was called to adopt a K9 in need. At the time, I could never imagine how difficult or rewarding welcoming and training a rescue dog could be.

My first was Bruno. I'll admit—I wasn’t sure I was up for the challenge. This 70-pound Lab mix had a history I could only guess at. It was clear Bruno had been through some rough times before finding his way to me. And I wanted to make his life better.

But it wasn’t going to happen overnight.

Common Rescue Dog Behavior Issues to Overcome

Rescue dog behavior issues often stem from past trauma or lack of socialization. As a result, they can develop certain logical coping behaviors based on how their previous life worked.

Compassionate adoptive parents like you and me try to understand. And it will take some time for dogs to learn that they're not in that life anymore. But you may see ongoing:

• Fear of new people or situations
• Flinching when people approach, especially holding objects
• Resource guarding (toys, food, or even spaces like a favorite spot on the couch)
• Excessive barking or whining due to anxiety
• Chewing and destructive behavior as a coping mechanism
• Growling
• Relieving themselves in inappropriate places

They may also be malnourished and need to see a vet for conditions they developed as a result. Improving their nutrition is critically important for both dog health and bonding—as they learn that you care and give them the good stuff like high value dog bones and treats.

How to Train a Rescue Dog

Here are my top tips.

1. Be Ready for Unpredictability

Rescue dogs often carry "invisible" baggage—fear, anxiety, or just a lack of understanding about what life in a loving home should feel like. Training a rescue dog isn’t just about teaching them commands. It’s about building trust and creating a safe environment to thrive.

In Bruno's situation, I found him very unpredictable—although I'm sure the things he did made perfect sense to him after what he had been through.

He seemed to be warming up to me, but he cowered when I approached him with a leash. He would growl when he heard my partner unlocking the front door after work.

Separation anxiety hit hard, too—leaving him alone for even a few minutes meant coming home to shredded furniture.

2. Start Building Trust

Most rescues received some socialization at the shelter before adoption, so they've at least overcome one hurdle. But they may still be skittish.

Trust is built over time as the new family member learns that you act in predictable ways.

For Bruno, this meant creating a predictable routine. Dogs thrive on structure. Every day, we followed the same schedule: meals at the same time, walks in the same places, and consistent rules (like no jumping on the couch, no matter how cute he looked).

This is when I decided to make chew time sessions part of the routine. At first, Bruno got a meaty marrow bone every night for 30 minutes or so. Then I learned I was overcompensating with "too much of a good thing." We backed off to three dog bone chew sessions a week.

I would sit with him, reading a book as he chewed on the beef dog bone. It became time together. I made sure I used calm body language with no sudden movements.

To further build trust, when it was time to take the bone away, I certainly didn't steal it. Instead, I traded for it with some tasty single-ingredient treats.

High value dog bones and treats are also incredibly nutritious. So, I was restoring his nutrition at the same time.

3. Give Them a Safe Space

Crate training is one of the first rescue dog training commands I recommend. When presented to a dog correctly, a crate becomes like a wolf's den is to a wolf. It's a warm, cozy place where they feel safe.

To learn more about crate training step by step, check out my recent post: Crate Training for Puppies: The Day I Met a Houdini Pup.

The same principles apply to a rescue dog. But in Bruno's case, there was no way he was going in a crate—probably because of bad experiences. So, we settled on an oval rug in the corner. And he's been going there when I say "rug" ever since.

Flexibility in training a rescue dog is important

Pixie loves her crate. She is the queen of her wolve's den.

Bruno has his rug. It's his safe place. If I saw him there, I didn't bother him. I let him choose to leave it when he was ready.

Within a few weeks, Bruno started wagging his tail when I came home instead of retreating to his rug. Small victories like this showed me we were on the right track.

4. Use Positive Reinforcement for Rescue Dog Training

It's essential never to use punishment for rescue dog behavior issues. It destroys trust, and often, it's more of what the dog was used to in its previous home.

I keep treats in a treat pouch I can carry on myself all time. It makes rewarding him quickly and consistently easier.

Positive reinforcement became my secret weapon in training Bruno. Every time he did something "constructive"—whether it was sitting calmly when I put on his leash or not barking at the neighbor’s cat—he got a reward. And when I say “reward,” I don’t just mean praise or a pat on the head.

I mean treats—small enough that I'm not running his dinner but irresistible enough that he starts making the connection between certain behaviors and rewards.

5. Choose High Value Dog Treats

The right treats make all the difference. High-value dog treats, like single-ingredient beef lung bites, were exactly what I needed to help Bruno turn a corner. These healthy, protein-packed treats got his attention fast and kept him motivated during training sessions.

While lung bites are great for quick rewards, more substantial dog treats like a meaty marrow filled dog bone helped alleviate anxiety and boredom, so he became more receptive to training sessions.

6. Keep Dog Training Sessions Short

Five to ten minutes of focused training is better than an hour of frustration for both of you.

Always try to end these short sessions on a high note. For example, when Bruno was struggling to learn the wave, we returned to basic with "sit". I rewarded him. And we ended the sessions with positive feelings he could carry into his next session.

7. Begin Basic Training

Training your dog to perform basic skills on command builds trust and cooperation.

Commands like Sit, Come, Down, Go to Crate, etc., help your dog feel safe and stay safe.

To quickly and efficiently train your rescue, I hope you'll check out this Free 7-Day Dog Training Challenge from K9 Connoisseur.

The Bottom Line: The Key to Happy Tails!

Rescue dogs like Bruno may come with challenges. But they also come with limitless potential. With patience, positive reinforcement, and the right training tools, you can help your rescue dog thrive—and create a lifelong bond in the process.

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