28-02-2025
Queen Camilla is a fan of rescue dogs – and we all should be too
Anyone thinking of welcoming a dog into their home is now urged to 'adopt, don't shop'. And, with an estimated 100,000 dogs in the UK awaiting their forever home, it's no surprise that rescue dogs are increasingly becoming the responsible choice.
Even Queen Camilla, whose late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, was renowned for her love of pure-bred Corgis, has just adopted a rescue puppy called Moley – a dog she endearingly confessed contains 'a bit of everything and… looks just like a mole'.
Moley's arrival follows the death in November of the Queen's previous dog, Beth, which was also a rescue dog from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, of which the Queen is patron.
Meanwhile, other well-known adopters include Liam Gallagher, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Jennifer Aniston.
As well as giving a dog a second chance, people often choose to rehome a rescue dog to bypass the challenging puppy stage, says Caroline Wilkinson, a canine behaviourist and founder of Barket Place, a dog training service. 'There's no need for house training, and it may also be a financial choice to avoid breeder prices,' she adds.
How much does rehoming cost?
Don't overlook rehoming costs: Dogs Trust and Guide Dogs both charge up to £500 for adoptions, which covers microchipping and vaccinations. At the RSPCA, each centre sets its own adoption fees – but there are other pitfalls to be avoided, too.
Guide Dogs, which organises adoptions for dogs who are retiring or unsuited to training, warns: 'We often receive applications from people looking for a 'perfect pet'. But the reality is that dogs available for rehoming might have health conditions or behavioural needs.' They may also simply find the transition difficult.
'Sometimes, dogs behave differently in a kennel space [to] within your home, and challenging behaviours may only become apparent a few months into their new life,' explains Wilkinson. 'It's so important to think ahead about how the dog will fit into your lifestyle. Are you able to be at home for the dog, or can you afford pet carers if they have challenges with being left home alone? Can you afford medical care for an older dog? Does the breed suit your routine? If you can't commit to long walks, you might not be suited to a working breed.'
How to train a rescue dog
Twickenham-based Niki French, 56, is the owner of Pup Talk and author of Stop! Walking Your Dog. She adopted her dog Bodie, but found the first few months challenging.
'Bodie, a collie/lurcher cross, had been in and out of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home already. He was only eight months old and I knew he was the dog for us,' she explains. It wasn't initially clear, however, whether Bodie felt she was the owner for him. 'He was an overexcited, overwhelmed young dog. His way of coping included jumping up, zoomies [periods of frenetic activity], digging and barking,' says French. 'He'd pogo up and down, and lunge on the lead. He wouldn't let me touch him.'
After six months, she was exhausted. 'I was wondering if I was the right person to help him,' admits French. 'I had recently qualified as a dog trainer, but I struggled.' Nevertheless, she persisted. 'He's now six and Bodie is my demo dog for training videos.'
From a training perspective, French says: 'The crucial thing is not rushing to do too much with a newly rehomed dog. They need plenty of time to adjust.' She uses the 'rule of three' with clients as a guide: 'Three days [in], the dog is feeling overwhelmed. After three weeks, he's starting to settle in. After three months, he's feeling more comfortable and building trust.'
Consider the costs of vet care
Joanna Booty, from Bracknell in Berkshire, volunteers at dog rescue centres and has offered a home to several rescue dogs. She currently owns four schnauzers, and points out that people often underestimate the costs of veterinary care. 'There have been unforeseen issues, such as cancer, where the treatment ended up costing about £8,000,' she says.
There are often behavioural issues to deal with, too.'My dogs were not house-trained and had never walked on a lead before. There was a lot for them to learn,' Booty adds.
That said, reputable rescue charities will always carry out home checks and extensive interviews to ensure you and the dog are a good match in temperament and lifestyle. And, when the puppy or dog does arrive, the 'focus [should be] on creating trust', says Wilkinson. 'Don't flood the dog with new experiences; create a calm space where your pet can retreat.'
Providing consistent support
There may be a string of well-wishers longing to meet the new arrival, but the dog's needs come first, she adds. 'Take it slowly on walks, choose a couple of locations and stick to them for the first months.' Using a 'nervous rescue' jacket or 'I need space' bandana can also help.
'While training is important to ensure your dog's safety, as well as providing valuable mental stimulation, it's not as important in the early days as providing consistent support,' Wilkinson says. 'Never punish a dog, as this will only add to stress and impact their ability to learn.'
But while experts may counsel total focus on the dog, what happens if you have children or existing pets?
'Check that the dog has been assessed to feel comfortable around children before bringing them into your home,' advises Wilkinson. 'Creating a calm space for the dog to sleep in and a 'do not disturb' sign to place nearby can be a good visual reminder, too.' And, no matter how much they beg, ' never leave a dog and child together unattended '.
What to do if you have other dogs
Other dogs in residence can present issues too, explains Samantha Butler-Davies, the veterinary services director at Pets at Home. 'Allow them to meet first on neutral territory,' she advises. 'Keeping both dogs on leads initially allows them to observe and sniff each other calmly before progressing to off-lead interactions in a controlled space.'
Ensuring both dogs have their own space, including separate beds, food bowls, and toys, will help, she adds. 'Keeping your other pets' routines as normal as possible will help them adjust to the newcomer.'
'She appeared on Zoom, throwing my underwear in the air'
Sadie Restorick, 42, from Chelmsford, is the co-founder of Wellity Global, a leadership training consultancy
'I rehomed Saskia in May 2022 through German Shepherd Rescue. She was a 10-month-old shepsky [Swiss shepherd/husky cross] with a deeply troubled past. She'd had multiple homes and had been confined in small spaces. The result was a deeply anxious and reactive dog. My family and I have always rescued dogs, so I knew they often come with challenges – and GSRUK assessed my home environment, experience and behaviours I was able to work with. On arrival, Saskia was incredibly sweet but very nervous. She bonded with me quickly, but her uncertainty showed in everything she did.
'Rescue dogs need time to decompress, so I made sure she had safe spaces she could retreat to. Having her familiar bed and toys helped, and I kept a consistent routine for her. One thing that made a huge difference was sharing her story in my local community Facebook group. Knowing that local dog owners were happy to give us space on walks really helped.
'In the first few weeks, she completely destroyed the arm of my brand-new sofa. Once, she ran into the background of a Zoom call, proudly tossing my underwear in the air.
'But I knew we had a true bond when she started seeking me out for comfort. She's now three, maturing and learning to trust more. A vet once told me: 'She's just a very special dog who needs love and understanding'. I think that sums us all up, really.'
