Understanding Foreign Rescue Dogs with Toby Craze

Boop our inbox! 🐾 What does it take to help a foreign rescue dog feel safe in a world that may be completely unfamiliar? In this episode of Shy Dog Diaries, I’m joined by dog trainer Toby Craze of Craze Dog Training to explore the experiences and needs of dogs adopted from overseas, including former street and free-roaming dogs. Toby shares how his work with animals took him from rescue elephants in Thailand to supporting dogs and their adopters around the world. We talk about the adjustment from free-roaming life to a home, why realistic expectations matter, and how giving dogs choice can help us build trust. I also share experiences with Nessie as we discuss quieter signs of fear, the small changes that are easy to overlook, and how to accept our dogs as they are while supporting their growth. We explore thoughtful adoption decisions, meeting natural behavioral needs in everyday life, the role of supportive dog friendships, and Toby’s use of Free Work with Big Red from Happy Doggo. Throughout our conversation, I keep coming back to the importance of seeing the individual dog in front of us. Whether you’re considering adopting a dog from abroad or already sharing your life with a shy or sensitive dog, I hope this episode helps you feel more informed and less alone. In this conversation, I explore: What adopters should understand about foreign rescue dogs and rescue support Why helping dogs in their own communities matters How choice, relationships, and small steps can support confidence Recognizing fear beyond barking and lunging How Free Work can reveal subtle changes in a dog’s comfort About Toby Craze Toby Craze is a professional dog trainer with a degree in animal conservation and behaviour. He runs Craze Dog Training, where he predominantly works online with clients worldwide, specialising in adopted foreign rescues, mainly ex-free roaming and shelter dogs from various countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, India, Indonesia, Thailand, and more. Toby has worked in rescue in multiple countries, supporting shelters and their staff to rehabilitate dogs that have been through significant trauma, setting them up for successful lives in their adoptive homes. Connect with Toby Craze & Craze Dog Training Facebook: @CrazeDogTraining Instagram: @CrazeDogTraining TikTok: @CrazeDogTraining Website: https://www.crazedogtraining.co.uk/ Reach out on Whats App to book a free chat with Toby. Connect with Shy Dog Diaries Instagram: @shydogdiaries Email: pod@shydogdiaries.com