Help! My dog races to nip ankles when people turn their back! First of all, this is not aggression – so do ensure you compartmentalize this in your mind accurately. If your dog was aggressive, they wouldn’t wait until the person leaves to tell them what...
For some dogs, going in the car means adventure. Are we going on a hike? Are we going to see family? Or maybe we are going camping! These are all positive associations with travel that some dogs make. For others, their association with the car could be going to the...
A healthy weight is so important in our lives for so many reasons – mobility, organ function, energy. This applies to humans but is very important with the pets in your home. It is your responsibility to help keep your dog at a healthy weight. We all gained a...
Most lost dog posters come with a warning of “DON’T CHASE!” You may assume this is because of the dogs disposition, but it’s actually a warning intended to bridge the instinct gap of man vs beast. Every single time – if you run, they will run. And most of the...
If you have had a puppy, you may have experience with a dog with Giardia! But if it’s new to you, let us share what we know! Who: Puppies or unhealthy dogs are more susceptible due to a weakened immune syste. Healthy adults tend to fare better and fight the bug...
“Aaaakkk! My dog has prey drive” Well, ya! It’s a dog! Just like you can not teach a fish not to swim, you can not take the prey drive out of a dog: dogs have evolved away from their ancestors (wolves) and may have retained an instinctual desire...
If you have applied for a DIBS dog, you know that we have asked about your knowledge of DCM. We think it’s a very important topic that every pet parent needs to have a basic understanding of so here is a brief overview of DCM. Disclaimer: We are not vets, and...
What is NILIF? Nothing in Life is Free (NILIF) is a non-confrontational positive reinforcement technique that is used to improve your dog’s behaviour by building their confidence through clear rules and rewarding them for good behaviour. Having your dog work for...
Sometimes applicants are afraid to ask the 101 stuff so we will try to address questions here! Q. Does DIBS have any rules about crate training for dogs? Some places say it’s good to do for puppies, other places say absolutely not for any of their dogs, so I...
As many people know, Betty White was an advocate for rescue dogs. In honour of her birthday, we encourage people to donate to an animal welfare organization that they believe in. Any amount is truly appreciated! How to donate to DIBS eTransfer donations in any amount...
A dog bed should be a safe space for your dog. They can use it for napping, but also just to get away from it all. We put some thought into buying a dog bed such as what size, will it match my decor and the price, but do we put much thought into where it goes in our...
This pandemic has been hard on us – our pets included. Now, things are returning to a version of normal. It’s somewhat exciting and a bit nerve-wracking to some. We will see more people out and about, and visitors will start coming into your home. For your...
If your rescue dog is showing some fear towards men, know that it isn’t uncommon. There are lots of different factors that could contribute to this behaviour, including: Previous traumatic experiences with men Little to no exposure to men Behaviour and/or...
The topic of heartworm is complex, but we are going to try to just give you enough info to help make informed decisions. Disclaimer: we are not vets, so be sure to ask your vet for more info! How is heartworm transmitted? Mosquitoes. Yup, it’s as easy as that!...
From time to time we have rescue dogs who are survivors of distemper. Our fosters and adopters love these pups as they often seem to really appreciate their second chance at life. The survival rate is not great, and pups that pull through are so incredibly special....
My dog Tiegan, a rescue (pre-DIBS) from a beach town just north of Puerto Vallarta, has seizures. They started just before her second birthday and came on suddenly. So suddenly, in fact, the first one struck in the middle of a walk. After a vet checkup and complete...
Regardless of what we celebrate this time of year, we all know the vibe is different. Things get busier and louder, and our routines are off. Just like people, our pets do notice it – the good and the bad. For a good number of dogs, this has been their first...
As you may have heard, all dogs in DIBS foster homes have a Tractive device on them during all daytime hours. We know that dogs can get loose while on a walk, in a park, or just bolting out of the front door of a home. When a dog is adopted, we want to ensure their...
If you are reading this, there is a good chance that you are an animal lover! As the snow comes down (and it’s only November!), we need to advocate a bit more for our furry friends out there. Here are a few tips / things to consider! ...
Too often we hear “If I won the lottery, I’d help all the dogs!” We get it, if I won the lottery, I’d be like Oprah “You get a spay/neuter van! YOU get a spay/neuter van! Everyone gets a spay/neuter van!!!” and they’d all...
What To Do If You Have Found a Lost Dog or Cat If you see a dog or cat that seems to be lost, do take action! Don’t assume it’s a homeless pet. In Canada, the number of abandoned pets is low (yes, it happens), so if you see a cat or dog, there is a good...
Lost Dog! Steps to Take As a new dog owner, you need to take extra precautions: multiple leashes, monitor door usage (tackle stance like you’re in the NFL), collar, tags and microchip (ensure info is always current on file). But if your dog does get past you,...
Dog Safety is one of those things that we don’t think about until after something happens. Some examples are when your dog: bolts from the car escapes through the front door or, has been gone for days, and you have no idea where to star We want to share our “lessons...
Adopting the perfect dog isn’t really a thing. Some dogs are better than others, some are fantastic, but under the wrong guidance from their humans, even the best dog may flounder. A dog’s life, learning, and education is an ongoing work in progress (just...
Shelter Puppy Syndrome. Ok, we made that term up as there isn’t a lot of info on the topic. Perhaps it isn’t a universal issue. But – it is an issue facing our rescue organization. We have amazing rescue partners, and like anything in rescue, funds...
Whether you’re adopting a second (or third, or fourth!) dog, or you’re looking to start welcoming foster pups into your pack, you’re likely wondering how you can set both dogs up for happiness and success. Know your existing dog Understanding how...
Showing Your Dog the World Beyond! Lots of dogs are very excited at the word “walk” or a glimpse of the leash. But not all dogs. There is a whole other category of dogs that are terrified to explore outside the safety of their space. We find it often happens with...
Teach “Touch” or “Hand Target to your Dog” Why should I add this to my training regime? Helps nervous dogs approach people (our focus below) Gives your dog a proper way to say “hello” Allows them a way to focus when needed Provides...
With leash-reactivity, the common denominator is a dog who feels trapped while on a leash attached to a human. That usually points toward an unsure or tense handler. Check to see if YOU are leash reactive! We don’t mean that you are barking at every dog that...
If you have been looking for a rescue dog for a while, but have kids, you may find it discouraging. Many rescues will not adopt to families with kids, or with kids under a certain age. This is typically due to something that has happened and falls into the...
Are You Ready for a Dog? We Mean, Really, Honestly, Undoubtedly and Unconditionally – Ready for a Dog? The reason for wanting a dog falls into the “high’s” category. We visualize all the wonderful things that go along with having a dog: Autumn...
When you adopt a DIBS dog, the expectation is that you will sign up for training (well…it’s more than an expectation: it’s actually in the adoption contract). We don’t hesitate to have veterinarians and groomers lined up to help with our pets....
From time to time a dog enters the rescue that seems “shy”. Often they have entered a shelter at a young age, and are not exposed to a lot of human contact, or life with a family. New surroundings can overwhelm them so fosters and new families need to be...
Congratulations on your Adoption! Now the fun begins! It’s so important to be thoughtful about introducing your dog to your world. First impressions matter – your dog feels this way too! Arriving at home: If you have existing dog, perhaps let the dogs meet outside...
This document is aimed at assisting people who are trying to catch a high-stress, fearful dog. It can not cover every possible scenario but details the most proven methods for getting a fearful dog back home. Dogs generally run for one of two reasons; you need to...
When you adopt (or foster), we don’t know a dog’s skills in the bathroom department! We can hope, but we never know! To help with potty training, there are a few important tips! Outside treats only Schedule & consistency Crate training The same as...
We love donations – both for dogs in foster care in Ontario, and for needs in Mexico (shelters and clinics) For Canadian Foster dogs, we need dog toys, leashes, harnesses, poop bags and winter coats (Pet Valu keeps us stocked up on food and treats) To send to...
We do get asked if we have dogs that could be therapy dogs. Generally, we do not. Some may surprise us and be up for the task, but at DIBS, we do want our dogs to be the ones on the receiving end of support, while they acclimate to their new lives. Being a pet,...
Crate – discuss with foster parents, as not needed for all dogs. You will need to know the size to purchase. GPS Tracker – DIBS Rescue has decided to use Tractive GPS systems. It has great technology for tracking, has a battery life of 2-5 days, and is...
The First Thing To Do When Getting A Dog From A Shelter – Learn What “Decompression” Is It’s pretty damn awesome of you to look to the shelter when searching for a dog to add to your family. I mean that. Our nation’s shelters, pounds, and humane societies are...
Setting Boundaries for your Dog Picture this: your new rescue dog has come from a life on the streets or in the shelter. Desired human contact is a treat. Unconditional love is more than they can imagine. Then, they get rescued, travelled, fostered – lots of changes,...
Training – Give your Pooch the Gift of Training! Training is good for all dogs, regardless of age, or their current skill-set. If you and your dog are new companions, training is the best way to help you both speak the same language. Your dog sees this time as a...
You’ve brought your new rescue dog home and suddenly they are peeing in that one spot – this is unexpected as you were told the dog was housetrained! There are a few things to consider: 1. Newly adopted dogs – even if fully housetrained – may have an accident in...
INTEGRATING YOUR NEW DOG WITH AN EXISTING CAT How you introduce your new dog to your cat or cats plays a significant role in establishing their long-term relationship. We want your new dog and your cat to have many happy years together! We ask that you please follow...
Trigger stacking: how we set our dogs up to fail When we adopt a dog, what we expect is for them to be happy. We like to think that they get what’s happening and that it’s all blooming marvellous. We tell ourselves that they know what’s going on and that...
We want to help you and your new pet live long, healthy lives together. Start here! Selecting a Pet Set yourself up for success. Think about your family’s lifestyle, financial situation, space restrictions and time limitations to ensure you choose the right breed,...
