Give a Dog a Home Rescue

Give a Dog a Home Rescue Give a Dog a Home Rescue helps pets in need through sheltering, adoption, education, spay/neuter, and community outreach. We do NOT transport.

Our MISSION STATEMENT

"Give a Dog a Home Rescue is committed to saving the lives of dogs from high-risk shelters, providing them with safe, comfortable care in Maine, and matching them with loving forever homes. Our mission extends beyond rescue; we are dedicated to strengthening our community by supporting and preserving the bond between pets and their families. Recognizing the high need and imp

ortance of keeping pets and people together, we offer innovative programs such as the Feed the Need Pet Pantry, Wellness on Wheels Low-Cost Pet Services, Humans and Hounds Social Club, Let's Go for a Walk Doggy Day Out, and the upcoming Preserve and Provide Program. These initiatives enhance the well-being of both animals and people, ensuring pets can stay with their families during tough times, and fostering a compassionate and inclusive community."
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If you would like to start the adoption our process is below:

Just a reminder - as it states on every animal's bio - all animals are located at the rescue in Sebec, Maine. If you live 8 hours away, then you must be prepared to drive 8 hours here and then 8 hours back. This is your choice to make BEFORE completing the adoption application. Please note the rescue is run by a volunteer and is very busy. Do NOT constantly email or phone, if you need to email or call, please send just one communication and wait for someone to respond. Please ensure you have read all the information on the dog in the bio and that you understand all dogs are located at the rescue in Sebec, Maine where, if approved you are required to travel to meet the dog. Submit Application with two personal references and a vet reference. If you have never had pets and do not have a vet, we will need THREE personal references. Ensure references are people who know you and your lifestyle well. Applicant MUST inform vet and references that someone from GaDaH will be calling. As long as we are able to contact your vet and references, it takes just 1-3 days to process and hopefully approve applications. If you rent we will need an approval letter for the breed of dog you are wanting to adopt from your landlord on official letterhead paper or email. This means a letter or email, not copy of your lease! Rescue processes and hopefully approves applications. Once approved, rescue invites applicant to come to the rescue to meet your chosen dog/s, spend time with him/her and then hopefully take him/her home. We do NOT hold dogs so if you are unable to come within a week or so of submitting your application the dog will still be available for adoption to other families. For Canadian adopters, all that is needed to get them across the border into Canada is a current rabies certificate and proof of adoption, which is the adoption contract. Both of which are included in the medical file you will get when you adopt. (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/pettravel-canada)

Ensure ALL Fields are filled in, if something is relevant, then put n/a or something in so it recognizes an entry. We do not recommend using a phone or iPad since these applications for some reason don't tend to come through and you will have spent a lot of time on the application for nothing as it will need to be re-done. Once we have you approved, we can schedule an appointment for you to come to meet him/her at the rescue in Sebec, Mane and then hopefully take them home to start your new life. I just have to work on an appointment basis. Please understand I run a dog rescue with a lot of dogs, this means I am not sat around waiting for the phone to ring, or able to drop everything and answer phone calls. Link to Dog Adoption Application
https://giveadogahome-rescue.rescuegroups.org/forms/form?formid=5838

Link to Cat Adoption Application
https://www.giveadogahome-rescue.org/forms/form?formid=6368

Another EXCELLENT post from Professional Trainers back in Scotland, I encourage EVERYONE who has a dog, or wants a dog o...
07/06/2025

Another EXCELLENT post from Professional Trainers back in Scotland, I encourage EVERYONE who has a dog, or wants a dog or just likes dogs to follow this page - they provide such critical and relevent information - not always about training, but about dogs in general - go to their website, find their blogs it is incredibly interesting to learn why dogs react ways they do, why breeds act differently, about how they hear, see and smell.

There is so much information out there for FREE if people really want to learn and become better pet parents.

Dumb It Down: The Case for Keeping It Simple in Dog Training
In the world of dog training, there’s a phrase that needs dusting off and given the respect it deserves: “Dumb it down.” Not because dog owners or dogs are incapable of learning complex things, but because clarity beats cleverness every single time.

Coming from a military background, I’ve always valued the KISS principle—Keep It Simple, Stupid. It’s not an insult. It’s a rule for success. Whether it’s planning an operation, briefing a team, or training a dog, the simpler you make it, the fewer things go wrong.

And in dog training? That principle should be tattooed on every lead.

Why Simplicity Matters, for the Dog and the Human

Dog training is not about impressing others with fancy terminology, over-engineered cue systems, or fifty-step drills. It’s about effective communication between you and your dog. That means speaking in a language your dog understands.

You might have an eight-year-old Labrador with years of life experience, but cognitively, emotionally, and behaviourally, you’re working with something more akin to a two or three-year-old child. That’s not an insult to your dog, it’s a biological reality. Dogs live in the moment, process cues visually and tonally, and rely on clarity and consistency to make sense of the world.

When you talk too much, cue too much, or complicate the task, you lose the dog.

Common Ways People Overcomplicate Training

Let’s take a look at some of the typical pitfalls:
• Too Many Words
If you say, “Come on, let’s go, this way, come on now, heel up, walk nice,” your dog hears white noise. If you simply say “Heel,” and pair it with a clear action and reward, you’re building understanding.
• Changing Commands
Telling your dog “Down,” then “Lie down,” then “Settle,” and expecting them to respond the same each time is asking for confusion. Choose one word. Stick to it.
• Unrealistic Criteria
Expecting a young, energetic Spaniel to lie calmly on a mat for 30 minutes in a busy café when they’ve only just learned the “Place” command in the kitchen is setting them up to fail. It’s not the dog’s fault, it’s a human expectation problem.
• Lack of Clarity in Body Language
If your body says “stay” but your voice says “come,” your dog will do neither confidently. Your body and voice must align.

The Power of Keeping It Simple

Here’s what happens when you dumb it down properly:
• Your dog becomes more confident because it understands what’s being asked.
• Your training sessions are shorter, more successful, and more enjoyable.
• You reduce frustration for both you and your dog.
• You build a stronger, clearer communication channel that supports trust and reliability.

Put simply, you become a better handler, and your dog becomes a better learner.

How to “Dumb It Down” Effectively

Here are five practical ways to apply the KISS principle in your training:

1. Use One Command per Action

One word, one meaning. “Sit” means sit. Not “sit down” or “sit now please.” Say it once. Follow up with action and reward.

2. Train in Clear Steps

Break every behaviour into tiny, bite-sized steps. Don’t jump from A to Z. Go from A to B, then B to C. Build success.

3. Remove Background Noise

Don’t train next to a barking dog park when you’re introducing a new cue. Control the environment. Reduce distractions. Make it easy to win.

4. Slow Down Your Expectations

Just because a dog did something once doesn’t mean it knows it. Repetition, reinforcement, and proofing in different places are key. If your dog doesn’t respond, don’t assume defiance, assume lack of clarity.

5. Use Simple Rewards

Don’t overthink your reward system. Food, play, praise, pick what your dog values most in that moment and use it. Avoid gimmicks or excessive “marking noise.” A calm “Yes” or a click will do just fine.

A Final Word: If Your Dog Looks Confused, It’s You

Let’s be honest. If your dog’s staring at you like you’ve just asked it to recite Shakespeare, you’ve made it too complicated.

Your tone might be off. Your timing might be late. Your reward might be unclear. Your cue might be muddled. But the responsibility lies with you, not the dog.

The good news? You can fix that immediately, by dumbing it down.

Summary: KISS Your Dog Training

If in doubt, always fall back on the KISS principle. Keep it simple, stupid. It’s not about dumbing down your training. It’s about distilling it to its purest, most effective form.

Because training a dog isn’t about being clever. It’s about being clear.

So next time you step out with your dog, remember: fewer words, clearer body language, smaller steps, smarter training.

And above all, keep it simple.
www.k9manhuntscotland.co.uk



SAMSON is back in the kennel once again waiting for his forever home.I just want to make clear I have an indepth applica...
07/06/2025

SAMSON is back in the kennel once again waiting for his forever home.

I just want to make clear I have an indepth application process, when I talk to references, I tell them about the dog their friends are interested in adopting, I tell them potential concerns, in his case he is big, he is strong, he is not good with small animals and does have prey drive for them, and of course I go through the same in a lot more detail with the families.

Families then schedule a time convenient to them, I am incredibly flexible and then they spend time with the dog - they can take them for a walk, hang out or whatever they like and again we chat, if I have any concerns - in his case his size, his prey drive I always reiterate it.

I explain all new dogs need to decompres, they need to learn who their new families are, learn their new home, the new rules, the new everything and most importantly learn to listen, to respect and to do as they are told.

So - what happened here is Samson was brough back because he jumps up and he was charging at neighbours dogs - it turns out he was on a run (never do I recommend these especially when a dog is new as you have no control to correct and I just think they can be dangerous) someone would walk by with their dog and he would run and bark - he would jump up on his new owners - something which he did whilst they was meeting him and I explained this needs to be stopped and is very easy just push him down and tell him no - he is a very personable dog and listens and understands.

Then apparently he had followed them upstairs last night - but was scared to come down - I explained during our phone conversation that not all dogs are familiar with stairs - again training and working with them and I encourage everyone who thinks a dog should automatically run down a flight of stairs to get on their hands and knees and go head first down a flight of stairs.

So, 24 hours and some of those hours night time, no training, no working with him on the most basics of having a dog. I made such a big deal about his size and how strong he is - he walks beautifully on a leash, someone taught him down rather than sit and just given a few days to settle, to decompress and to learn he would have been amazing.

SO - from being excited and happy he has finally found his home, I am left picking up the pieces of a dog that is stuck in a kennels that needs a lot more than he is getting here.

So, yes I get up set it is an emotional roller-coaster, my heart breaks for these dogs and I have no support, there are no trainers or groomers or any kind of professional offering to come over once a month or whenever.

People tell me don't give up - but where are all those people when I ask for help ?? Those posts get ignored, never has anyone said - hey me and a few friends want to come over and do a deep clean on sunday to help you out - or whatever. No one has ever said on my birthday, or the rescue anniversary, or any day hey you have a day off, we will come over and clean the kennels for you. I am going to stop here as it is what it is - but please don't tell me to keep going when no one is in sight actually helping. Yes his forever family will find him eventually, but how many people are actually taking the time to share him and any of the other dogs - other than when I have the time to post.....

So yes it sucks for Samson and it also sucks for me and I am sad for him and having my own little pitty party for me.

Anyone looking for a Frenchie - reach out to our friends at The Minnis Sanctuary
07/06/2025

Anyone looking for a Frenchie - reach out to our friends at The Minnis Sanctuary

SAMSON is coming back - I am so done with rescue. I am expected be at everyones call 24/7 - 24 hours......I just cannot ...
07/05/2025

SAMSON is coming back - I am so done with rescue. I am expected be at everyones call 24/7 - 24 hours......I just cannot keep doing this

SAMSON - Gained his Independence this day from the BritishAdoption  # 43-2025
07/04/2025

SAMSON - Gained his Independence this day from the British

Adoption # 43-2025

DEXTER - Gained his Independence this day from the BritishAdoption  # 42-2025Muscat dog adoption
07/04/2025

DEXTER - Gained his Independence this day from the British

Adoption # 42-2025

Muscat dog adoption

So, as I always like to keep on educating myself with American history and significant events as believe it or not in En...
07/04/2025

So, as I always like to keep on educating myself with American history and significant events as believe it or not in England/UK there was not even a mention of America in our education - mainly because our history goes back much much longer and are significant to us.

So, until being around American's I had never heard of 4th July! Curious if there was an actual battle won on 4th to signify the end, however, I was shocked to learn that the battles continued well into the future.

So, for those who don't know - here is your AI generated history lesson from an

ENGLISH Woman, living in AMERICA - saving the GERMANS (German Shepherd Dogs) 😁

While the Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776, the major battles of the Revolutionary War, like the Battle of Long Island (August 1776), occurred later. The war itself began on April 19, 1775, with the battles of Lexington and Concord. The Fourth of July is significant because it marks the day the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring the 13 American colonies free from British rule.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Declaration of Independence:
The Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776, but it took a couple of days to finalize the wording and printing of the Declaration.
July 4th, 1776:
The Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on this date, marking the colonies' declaration of freedom.
No Major Battle on July 4th:
While there were celebrations and commemorations of the Declaration on July 4th, including firing of cannons and public readings, there wasn't a significant battle fought on that specific date in 1776.
Later Battles:
The war continued for several years, with notable battles like the Battle of Long Island (August 27, 1776) and the Battle of Yorktown (1781) which proved to be decisive in the war.
Significance of July 4th:
The day is celebrated as Independence Day to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which is a crucial document outlining the colonies' decision to separate from British rule.

Does anyone live near WOOLWICH, Maine that could pick up a sink for me - a single kitchen sink - I would need to PayPal ...
07/03/2025

Does anyone live near WOOLWICH, Maine that could pick up a sink for me - a single kitchen sink - I would need to PayPal you the money.

MARGO  * * Foster Fail * *Adoption  # 41-2025
07/01/2025

MARGO * * Foster Fail * *

Adoption # 41-2025

07/01/2025

"They just adore each other" 😍

Do they? 🤔
Sometimes we really want to see signals that just aren't there.

We may focus on one area....like a wagging tail, because it "confirms" what we hope is true.
The reality though is scared, conflicted or anxious dogs can and often do wag their tails.

Unsure what's occurring?
In moments like these....the majority "rules".

A dog "backing away" ?
That can be a pretty clear signal for us to pay attention to.
It can even be combined with a little "happy dance".
That pattering and quick plods....those fast moving feet?

It can look playful but can mean your dog is unsure or even uncomfortable with what is happening.

Scroll back a few posts.
Look at ways to support those nervy greeters.
There are lots of ideas for that on this page.

Forcing interactions is never a way to fast track anything positive.

Address

187 Downs Road
Sebec, ME
04481

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