Do you want to help dogs? How about volunteering at Rescue Ranch or becoming a puppy foster? There’s no time like the present! The truth is that we have more older puppies than ever and they need you.
Last year, we explained why you might consider adopting an older puppy. Among other advantages, they’re eager to please and take in new information like a sponge absorbs water. In other words, they’re at the perfect developmental stage for socialization. On the flipside, however, if they don’t get the human interaction and training they need, life gets more difficult for them.
I recently told you about some of the young unsocialized dogs we’ve taken in, like Kenna or the three dumped siblings. They face an uphill battle, but all puppies go through the same critical phases. Whether they come to us as ferals or are raised through our foster program, as they get older, youngsters need both quality one-on-one time and good socialization to thrive.
Unprecedented number of older puppies at Rescue Ranch
It was once unusual for any of our puppies to stay with us much beyond three months old. Most were adopted shortly after they were weaned. By 12 weeks old, they were all gone. The occasional older puppy would come in but they were the exception.
Last summer, the numbers began to change. Adoptions went down, more young feral dogs came in, and our own puppies stayed longer. Rescue Ranch currently has about 30 youngsters ranging from just under four months to about six months old. Ten of those are five-month-olds still living with their original foster! They all need individual attention.
So, even if you can’t adopt right now, you could have a hand in ensuring a bright future for Rescue Ranch puppies by helping them grow up to be well-adjusted adults.
Volunteer quality time with older pups and help dogs live their best lives
When puppies are very small, they seek comfort and security with their littermates. As they get older, they begin to develop their own personalities and need to socialize with other dogs and with people. There are a number of ways you can help as a ranch volunteer or as an approved foster (in your home or for day trips).
Group time:
- Play groups: supervise puppies as they learn to interact with other dogs
- Group training: Attend our free Sunday Socialization Classes, or practice some of the skills described below together with other handler/puppy pairs.
One-On-One Time:
- Basic training: visit regularly and spend time working on basic commands like,”Sit!”
- Leash and halter training: teach young dogs to accept a leash and/or harness. Work on their leash skills while walking them on ranch grounds.
- One-on-one play time: play, play, play!
- Grooming: bathing, toweling, brushing, etc.
- Every day actions and car skills: teach youngsters to go through gates, doorways, use stairs, get in and out of vehicles.
- Day trips: car rides, walks away from the ranch, go for puppuccinos like Chris and Marni do with older dogs.
