In recent years, the popularity of rescuing street dogs has seen a significant rise worldwide. This trend is fuelled by increased awareness about the plight of stray dogs, a growing emphasis on adopting pets rather than buying them, and the rewarding experience of giving a second chance to an animal in need.
Benefits of Adopting Rescued Street Dogs
- Saving Lives
- Adopting a street dog saves a life and helps reduce the number of strays on the streets and in shelters.
- Diverse and Unique Companions
- Rescued street dogs often have unique appearances and personalities, offering adopters a truly special and one-of-a-kind companion.
- Health and Behavior Benefits
- Many rescued dogs undergo health checks, vaccinations, and behavior assessments, ensuring that they are healthy and well-adjusted before adoption.
- Emotional Rewards
- The experience of rescuing a dog in need and seeing them thrive in a loving home is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.
The growing trend of adopting rescued street dogs is a testament to the increasing compassion and awareness in our society. By choosing to rescue, people are not only providing loving homes to dogs in need but also contributing to a broader movement towards better animal welfare and ethical pet ownership. Whether influenced by advocacy, community programs, or personal experiences, the decision to adopt a rescued street dog has a profound impact on the lives of these animals and the hearts of those who welcome them into their homes.
8 Common Behavioural Issues Rescued Street Dogs Can Show
Rescued street dogs may exhibit a variety of behavioural issues due to their previous experiences and lack of socialisation. Common behavioural issues that rescued street dogs may display include:
Fear and Anxiety
Rescued street dogs may have experienced traumatic events, such as abuse, neglect, or abandonment, which can result in fear and anxiety. They may be fearful of people, other animals, or new environments, and may exhibit avoidance behaviours, hiding, trembling, or excessive barking.
Aggression
Rescued street dogs may display aggression towards people or other animals as a defensive response to perceived threats. This can be due to their previous experiences on the streets where they may have had to fend for themselves or protect themselves from harm. It’s important to note though, that they are often not aggressive but ‘misunderstood’. We often don’t understand when they communicate with us (try to touch etc) and they might feel the need to communicate ‘more clearly’, so we get it. Caution is key and it makes sense to work wit a rescue organisation that can give you an insight into the dogs characters.
Resource guarding
Street dogs may have learned to guard their resources, such as food, toys, or space, as a survival strategy on the streets. This can result in resource guarding behaviour in a home environment, where they may show possessiveness or aggression when their resources are approached or touched. This is especially important for multi-dog households. Food can be a reason for fights or unnecessary stress. You can be ahead of the game and manage these situations – before they even could escalate! Don’t leave food plates unattended, feed separately and leave them in peace when eating.
Lack of socialisation
Rescued street dogs may have missed out on crucial socialisation experiences during their early development, which can result in fear, anxiety, or aggression towards people, other animals, or new situations. They may not be accustomed to household items, noises, or routines, which can lead to anxiety or fear-based behaviours.
Note: they often have great communication skills with dogs, which seem to be way more nuanced than in ‘normal pet dogs’. But they still might react reactive when meeting strange dogs (especially on leash, see below).
House soiling
Street dogs may not have been housetrained or may have learned to eliminate in outdoor environments, and may require guidance and training to learn appropriate bathroom behaviours in a home environment.
Destructive behaviour
Rescued street dogs may exhibit destructive behaviour, such as chewing or digging, due to anxiety, boredom, or frustration. They may not have learned appropriate outlets for their energy and may require mental and physical stimulation to reduce destructive behaviours.
Separation anxiety
Street dogs may develop separation anxiety when left alone, as they may have experienced abandonment or separation from their pack on the streets. This can result in excessive vocalisation, destructive behaviour, or other anxiety-related behaviours when left alone.
Leash reactivity
Rescued street dogs may be reactive on the leash due to fear or anxiety towards other dogs, people, or stimuli. They may bark, lunge, or show other aggressive behaviours when on a leash, which can require training and management to address.
It’s important to understand that rescued street dogs may require patience, understanding, and positive reinforcement-based training to address their behavioural issues. Working with a qualified professional, such as a positive reinforcement-based dog trainer (if you don’t have someone close to you, please feel free to reach out to me. I’m a dog trainer who specialises in Rescue Dogs, ex Street Dogs and Bully Breeds) or a veterinary behaviourist, can be helpful in developing a tailored behaviour modification plan for each dog’s specific needs. Consistency, positive reinforcement, and a patient approach can go a long way in helping rescued street dogs overcome their behavioural issues and thrive in their new homes.
Fostering a Dog: How Does It Work?
Debunking the Black Dog Phenomenon
Finding Your Perfect Match: Where to Adopt a Dog
Should you Adopt a Street Dog? Potential Behavioural Issues
10 Important Things to Know about Anxious Dogs (yes, even if yours is not)
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