Rescue Dog Behavior Problems

Behavioral problems in rescue dogs may not appear for weeks or months after adoption.

The furry face smiling at you from inside the kennel looks so well behaved. You rush to sign the paperwork, pay the fee, and say hello to your new best friend--and everyone lives happily ever after. ... If only it were that easy. Rescue dogs can have a number of behavior problems that may not be exhibited initially. In fact, sometimes rescue dogs won't exhibit behavior problems for months or--sometimes--even years.

Types

Dogs may destroy things out of boredom.

Behavior problems may stem from malnutrition, neglect and even boredom. Dogs that have suffered from severe malnutrition often are stunted in their development--physically and mentally, according to the National Animal Interest Alliance. Neglecting to expose your dog to children and strangers can lead to a fearful and aggressive dog. In the case of neglect, the dog becomes fearful because of a lack of conditioning. If left alone for long periods of time, your dog may react destructively out of boredom.

Effects

Malnutrition can stunt a dog's physical and emotional health.

Malnutrition can result in behavioral problems like being overly protective of the food bowl, treats and toys. Many dogs found by rescues lack good nutrition because food was scarce. The National Animal Interest Alliance states that if people don't know how to interpret a dog's body language, there can be dangerous results. For example, a dog may be lying by his food bowl and a child, unaware of the dog's needs, walks past the bowl. But the dog might think the child kept walking because he was protecting his food and the child knew this by reading his body language. The next time the child comes close to the protected food bowl, the dog bites. Likewise, a neglected dog that has never been exposed to strangers or children or that has never been taken from his yard/home will experience anxiety that will come out as aggression.

Significance

Exercising your dog every day is vital to his physical and emotional well-being.

When you have a dog exhibiting destructive behavior, oftentimes it is simply because the dog is bored. Cesar Millan, otherwise known as The Dog Whisperer, states how important it is for you to properly exercise your dog in the morning so that she can expend her pent-up energy after sleeping all night. Rescue dogs may become nervous when they are home alone as well and thus destroy things from nervous energy. Rescue dogs will benefit from lots of exercise to help release nervous energy.

Considerations

Velcro dog is a term used for a dog that "shadows" his owners.

If the dog came into the rescue as a stray, there is no way of knowing what kinds of issues she has or will develop. Separation anxiety can lead to behavior problems, too. It's not surprising that rescue dogs suffer from this because many of them have never experienced stability. A dog's behavior will probably change as it becomes more confident in his new home, but rescue dogs can possess separation anxiety that worsens once it becomes attached to a new, loving owner. Dr. Nicholas Dodman, author of "Dogs Behaving Badly: An A-To-Z Guide to Understanding and Curing Behavioral Problems in Dogs," calls this kind of a dog a "Velcro dog." They are like the owner's shadow, predicting her every move and becoming depressed when she is preparing to leave the house.

Misconceptions

Behavioral problems are dependent on the individual dog.

Rescue dogs aren't the only dogs that have issues. Aggressive dogs are often acting out of fear rather than being vicious for no reason. The better understanding of dog behavior and language, the better the owner can help her dog. Rescue dogs sometimes need more training than non-rescue dogs, but sometimes the reverse is true. It depends on the individual dog--whether or not it is a rescue animal.

References

• National Animal Interest Alliance
• "Dogs Behaving Badly: An A-to-Z Guide to Understanding and Curing Behavioral Problems in Dogs"; Dr. Nicholas Dodman; 1999
• Cesar's Way: Problem Behaviors