Adopting Rescue Dogs (do's, don'ts, challenges, and solutions)

The Backstory of Adopting Rescue Dogs

Adopting rescue dogs is such a noble act of kindness. In New England many times these rescue dogs are from Texas or Louisiana and have spent time, if not all of their lives, on the street. If a dog was fortunate enough to have been raised in a home most have not had the socialization as a puppy that’s so essential to grow into confident well adjusted adult. As if being raised without socialization, or growing up on the streets wasn't bad enough, their situation is exacerbated by having to endure a stressful trip north with countless other dogs. Their challenges are enormous. They're in need of a solutions. The challenge is new owners being unaware of what is actually needed.

Usually, these rescue dogs are adopted in advance of meeting their new owners. These dogs are then transported with other dogs to a local meeting point where chaos ensues. New owners excitedly gather to meet their dog only to be surprised by the fear, trembling and stench of a dog who has soiled themselves, and traveled in a near constant state of turmoil.

We are so appreciative that there are caring homes for these unfortunate souls. How these dogs are introduced and integrated into their new home, helps to determine their long-term behavior, as well as experience of life. Often what comes natural for new owners is the opposite of what is needed during a rescue dog’s first few days in their new home.

Understanding Rescue Dogs

The breeding of purebred dogs for show or working ability usually takes into account structure, health (through genetic testing) and their nervous system (confidence/ ability to endure stress). The breeding of dogs that are rescued usually just happens. It’s often mixed breeds bred to other mixed breeds. The one thing that most of these dogs have in common, and that is genetically pass on, is a compromised nervous system. The nervous system is a dog's hard-wired ability to comfortably experience the world around them. A compromised nervous system predisposes a dog to experience everyday occurrences as stress, or even a threat to their very being.

A compromised nervous system is only one influence that determines a dog’s ability to deal with stress. A lack of socialization, during critical times of development, is the second greatest influence. This essential socialization includes regularly having new positive experiences with other dogs, people and environments. This is something that is lacking in the backgrounds of most rescue dogs. The third greatest influence in a rescue dog’s ability to endure stress is their negative associations.

The Associative Mind

What needs to be understood about a dog’s mind is that they don’t remember previous events, just associations as a result of an event. A traumatic event like being teased by a toddler doesn’t bring up a memory of a toddler, just the negative association.

We can not change the state of their nervous system, nor their backgrounds. There is a chance we can influence their previously learned associations. Just as important is to not create new negative associations, which usually happens by new well-meaning owners.

What happens prior to adoption? There’s a transition from a stressful shelter, or worse a stressful shelter AND trip with a pet transport service, to the new owner. This transition creates a heightened state of awareness, and stress, which makes lasting impressions (associations). These newly learned associations, in turn, determine future behavior.

Given the state of most rescue dog's nervous system, lack of socialization, and recently created associations, homecoming should immediately begin to be therapeutic. A loving transformative life where a dog can blossom. What typically happens is quite the opposite. The lasting result is more insecurity, fearfulness and often aggression within a few weeks.

The Problem: Your Perfect Home!

When dogs go from high-stress (former life and transportation) to a quiet new home, most dogs thoroughly enjoy the new peaceful quiet environment. Their well-meaning new mom and dad typically shower them with love, affection and constant reassurance, especially whenever they look stressed. Reassurance is usually in the form of very soft soothing tones, which for a dog is the same as praise. So the stress gets reaffirmed as desirable and the dog becomes more and more sensitized to needing quiet. At the same time, such a dog experiences an aversion to anything that is different. That difference includes; new people, environments, other dogs and sometimes activity. They now want the new status quo (quiet) all the time and anything that changes the status quo is a threat. 

This is why so many rescue dogs develop aggression issues. Aggression is a dog’s natural way to communicate “no”, “stop”, “get away” and “I’ve had enough”. Among the most common forms of aggression are resource guarding (protecting food and toys), meeting or seeing new dogs, new people entering the home, and being awakened or moved when resting or sleeping. Then, for many dogs once they become good at using aggression, the aggression takes on a life of it’s own. It becomes all encompassing.

Preventing Aggression

The first key in preventing aggression is learning how to lead them through stressful situations, rather than allowing them to avoid them. The second is learning when to shower them with love and affection, when to encourage them, AND when not to do either. The third key is keeping their life active, starting from day one, so their status quo isn’t exclusively quiet. This helps prevent, or address, aggression early on.

Addressing Aggression

How you address aggression really depends on the type of aggression, and your dog’s make up. Generally speaking, aggression needs to be corrected, and negative experiences overcome, and thought patterns changed.

Rescue Dog Training Programs

We regularly adapt our Dog Training Fundamentals and Fundamentals Plus training programs to fit the unique needs and circumstances of shelter dogs and their new owners. If a new owner is not ready to enroll their new dog in a comprehensive training program we recommend classes. Specifically, a class just before the arrival of their rescue dog as well as an evaluation and additional class the day of arrival. This steers both dog and owner in the right direction.

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