Rescue Tails

Rescue dogs often arrive in their new homes with unknown histories and trust issues. In this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert Forto and Robin from Rebel Rescue South Korea discuss how owners can build trust with rescue dogs through routine, training, and consistency. They explore why many dogs struggle with fear, reactivity, and confidence, and how simple daily routines can transform chaos into con...

Bringing a rescue dog home is exciting, but what happens when the honeymoon phase ends? In this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert Forto and Robin from Rebel Rescue South Korea discuss why newly adopted dogs begin showing new behaviors after a few weeks, including separation anxiety, chewing, reactivity, and boundary testing. They explain how routine, training, and realistic expectations can help ado...

What happens when dog rescue crosses cultures? In this episode of Rescue Tails , Robert and Robin continue their deep dive into the cultural differences between South Korea and the United States, this time through the lens of volunteers, foster homes, and adoption outcomes. Inside this episode: • How Korean volunteers often view rescue dogs as “children.” • Why American volunteers approach shelter...

What happens when American dog culture collides with South Korean law? In this episode of Rescue Tails , Robert and Robin break down the real-world differences between how dogs are viewed in South Korea versus the United States, especially for large breeds and so-called “vicious dogs.” From mandatory liability insurance and leash restrictions to fear of big dogs and evolving pet culture trends, th...

What does it really take to give a troubled rescue dog a second chance? In this episode of Rescue Tails , Robert and Robin record from the Seattle airport as they bring Scooby, a young lab mix rescued from South Korea, to Alaska Dog Works for intensive behavioral training. Scooby’s past includes suspected meat farm origins, multiple level-four bite incidents, and escalating resource guarding behav...

In this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert and Robin tackle one of the hardest challenges in dog rescue: building buy-in with volunteers, staff, trainers, and kennel teams. After collecting intake, medical, and training data, rescues still face a critical question. How do you get people to consistently follow systems, protocols, and best practices? This episode explores leadership, trust, communicati...

In this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert and Robin continue their intake procedures series by focusing on how rescue organizations can turn intake data into practical, effective training plans. Rather than collecting notes that sit unused, they explain how to convert early behavior observations into clear training goals, foster adoption matching, implement stress-reduction strategies, and protect l...

In this episode of Rescue Tails, hosts Robert and Robin break down dog rescue intake procedures from a training and behavior perspective. Moving beyond medical checklists and surface-level temperament tests, they explain how to observe behavior without labeling or prematurely failing dogs. The conversation covers low-stress handling, decompression periods, separating intake behavior lanes, enrichm...

What happens after a rescue collects intake information on a dog? In this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert Forto and Robin Lucas break down how rescues actually use intake data to make real decisions about placement, medical care, foster needs, and adoption readiness. They explain how dogs are assigned to specific tracks, why the first 24 hours matter, how rescues assess operational risk, and why i...

What happens before a dog officially enters a rescue? In this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert Forto and Robin Lucas break down real-world intake procedures used by dog rescues, from urgency assessment and legal status to medical screening, quarantine, and early behavior observations. The conversation explains why intake is about risk control, disease prevention, and long-term outcomes, not just sa...

Volunteering with a dog rescue sounds simple, but the reality is far more complex. In this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert Forto and Robin Lucas break down what volunteering really looks like behind the scenes, from daily shelter operations to long-term commitment, emotional challenges, and the skills rescues actually need. They discuss what makes a great volunteer, common misconceptions about res...

In this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert Forto and Robin Lucas tackle one of the most challenging topics in dog rescue: the 24-hour rescue fail. They explain why some dogs are returned within hours of adoption, what adopters often misunderstand, and how unrealistic expectations can derail even the most well-screened placements. The conversation breaks down the 3-3-3 rule for rescue dogs, common beh...

In this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert Forto and Robin Lucas take listeners inside a real puppy mill rescue in South Korea. They explain how illegal breeding operations work, what life is like for breeding dogs, and what it takes for a small rescue to intervene safely. The conversation covers the rescue process step by step, from the initial tip to veterinary care, adoption challenges, and the di...

Dog culture in South Korea has changed dramatically in recent years, but not always in the ways people expect. In this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert Forto and Robin Lucas break down the realities of modern dog ownership in Korea, from apartment living and small dog trends to training gaps, abandonment, and rescue challenges. They discuss the recent ban on dog meat, cultural attitudes toward dogs...

In this episode of Rescue Tails , hosts Robert Forto and Robin Lucas dig into one of the biggest struggles for every rescue, fundraising . As the holidays approach, most nonprofits face the same challenge: everyone is overwhelmed, attention is scattered, and donations slow down. Robin shares what actually works for Rebel Rescue South Korea , from business partnerships to small “micro-fundraisers”...

In this episode of Rescue Tails, hosts Robert Forto and Robin Lucas discuss one of the most important and often overlooked parts of adoption: training after rescue. Robert introduces The Pack Program , a unique group-coaching system designed to help adopters, foster parents, and rescue partners achieve lasting success with their dogs. The program combines virtual classes, group coaching, and perso...

Fostering saves lives, but it requires patience, a heart, and a bit of strategy. In this episode, Robert and co-host Robin talk with repeat foster Dr. Lisa DeVore , who joins us from South Korea to share what she’s learned fostering for Rebel Rescue for more than five years. Lisa opens up about the emotional side of fostering, setting dogs up for success, preparing families with kids, and the fost...

New rescue dog at home? Slow down, take a breath, and listen in. On this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert and Robin walk through the top 5 things most rescue dog adopters get wrong and how to avoid them, so you and your new dog can start off on the right foot. We cover: • Why the first 72 hours of decompression matter • Setting a routine that helps your dog feel safe • Preventing too much too soon...

In this episode of Rescue Tails , hosts Robert Forto and Robin Lucas explore what makes a rescue adoption truly successful, and why some don’t work out. Robin, president of Rebel Rescue South Korea , guides listeners through their post-adoption process, from preparing their home and setting routines to navigating the four-week adjustment period and beyond. They also discuss cultural differences be...

In this episode of Rescue Tails , hosts Robert Forto and Robin Lucas tackle an emotional and often overlooked topic: what happens to rescue dogs when military families receive PCS orders, a permanent change of station . Robin, president of Rebel Rescue South Korea , explains the logistics, financial challenges, and emotional toll of relocating pets during military transfers. She shares real-world...

In this episode of Rescue Tails , hosts Robert Forto and Robin Lucas pull back the curtain on what it really takes to adopt a rescue dog, not just in South Korea, but internationally. Robin, president of Rebel Rescue South Korea , explains their step-by-step adoption process, red flags they watch for, and how they manage adoptions to the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Europe. You’ll also meet Cookie , a...

In this premiere episode of Rescue Tails , hosts Robert Forto and Robin Lucas take listeners behind the scenes of Rebel Rescue South Korea , a nonprofit dedicated to saving dogs (and cats!) from meat farms, hoarding situations, and high-kill shelters. Robin shares five key facts about Rebel Rescue, the organization’s partnership with the U.S. military community near Camp Humphreys, and how cultura...