The Adoption of a Shelter Dog

Dogs in shelters have often had a painful past with humans. It needs a lot of confidence, patience and often a lot of time. Behaviorist Sylvia Chant advises you on the right attitude toward a dog at the beginning of a new life together.



Adopting an abandoned pet and providing a better life for such a pet is very generous and big. People often choose to take care of puppies that have lacked affection and give them all their love.




Take a closer look at the dog standing by your side and you will notice how your new companion perceives these outpourings of affection, the caresses and the attention you provide.



Try to understand its canine reality and what the dog has lived during its stay at the shelter and define its real needs when you welcome it in its new surroundings. The dog has a personal history regardless of its age, just like any other living being.



Unfortunately, the causes of discontinuation are often the same: poor early development of the dog, which causes adjustment difficulties, poor knowledge of their needs, no dog ticks treatment, an unsuitable lifestyle, animal abuse and so on. Dogs often have a lot of difficult experiences when living in a shelter.



Abandoned animals placed in a shelter lose their bearings, their sense of attachment to other living beings (human or animal) and need a familiar environment. They must adapt to the whereabouts of their unknown two-legged caregivers, volunteers, visitors and to their four-legged companions.
Their perception of pheromones throws them into a universe filled with fear, tension, misfortune and a feeling of insecurity that cause them to experience a state of anxiety.



Dogs often lack outlets despite all the attention and care taken by the shelter staff. Life in the shelter is marked by the lack of some social gains such as cleanliness and trust in humans. Some dogs are able to adapt to this environment to a certain extent, while others live in constant stress. Therefore, you should reconsider the real needs of an animal taken from the shelter.



First of all, you need to increase the confidence of such a dog but not suffocate it with affection (the animal may feel attacked in such situations) and thus develop a quiet and peaceful relationship. Its basket should be placed in a quiet place where it can rest undisturbed.



It should be fed at fixed times and children should not invade their space during playtime. Furthermore, it should be taken for daily walks. A dog always needs to explore and sniff around in the garden or so, such stimuli being essential for its balance. You should always remember that your companion really needs a shelter!



Be kind to it. It must adjust to its new life and this is not always easy. You need to teach it the rules of life in its new home and this requires patience and perseverance.



Do not recur to punishments because they only exacerbate its anxiety. Also remember that you need to be available to help your dog adjust. It may be anxious about being alone in an unfamiliar place, so there must be a period of gradual habituation to solitude.



You can get help from a behaviorist, who will guide you and advise you on how to accommodate your new best friend.



Dogs love caresses and hugs and being tickled gently under the neck or on the side. Take time to observe your dog, to see its reactions when you pet it. Some dogs do not enjoy physical contact. Their decision must be respected if so. They should never be "forced". However, others seem to rub on you, move about, lie down, push your hand, lick you and so on...



Beware of false interpretations! Excessive agitation when caressing the dog reflects in tensions. You only feed the fuss and stress if you extend these emotional outpourings.



So stay balanced in your interactions with your dog, when playing with it or when petting it. This will help it adapt better and make it feel safe and more confident. You can do this with a lot of hugs!

And if you feel any frustration, tell yourself that this is the best gift for your dog!