A lot of people talk about the importance of shelter dogs, but what exactly is a shelter dog? Shelter dogs can make great companions in the right household, which is why dog lovers need to give them a chance. So, where do these dogs come from, and what are their behaviors like?
By understanding what a shelter dog is and where they come from, more people will hopefully give these dogs a chance. Even if you’re unable to adopt a dog at this time, consider fostering one to temporarily give a dog a loving home until they get adopted. There are lots of critical dogs in Memphis whose lives would be saved if they had a foster home.
What is a “Shelter Dog”?
A shelter dog or rescue dog is typically defined as a dog that needs to be placed in a new home. These dogs usually wait at an organization’s kennel space or in a foster home until they get adopted. They can be a variety of ages, temperaments, and breed mixes. There are lots of reasons these dogs could end up in shelters, which is why there’s such a wide variety of rescue dogs out there.
What is a Dog Shelter?
A dog shelter, also known as an animal shelter or dog pound, is a facility where rescue dogs are kept. Most animal shelters are funded by the city or county they’re located in, but that amount is rarely enough to cover all the costs, so they rely a lot on donations and volunteers too. Shelters normally have lots of dog kennels, but they may also work with volunteers to place dogs in foster homes. Foster homes are especially important if the kennels are full.
Where Do Shelter Dogs Come From?
Shelter dogs come from a variety of situations, which are no fault of their own. Here are some reasons dogs end up in shelters:
- Owner surrenders the dog because they can no longer care for them
- Owner surrenders the dog because the dog isn’t a good fit for their lifestyle
- Unwanted litters
- Stray dog is found
- Lost dog is found, but no one claims them
- Owner passes away and no family members can take the dog
Of course, there are plenty of other explanations for where shelter dogs come from, but these are the most common scenarios. No matter what the dog’s past is like, they are deserving of a second chance and a loving forever home.
Are Shelter Dogs “Owner Rejects”?
Sadly, many people believe dogs end up in shelters because they’re “not good enough” for their owners. But that’s not the case at all! While many shelter dogs get surrendered by their owners, it’s the person’s fault, not the dog’s. People surrender dogs because they can’t properly care for them, whether that’s because of time, money, or location. Regardless of the reason, it’s not the dog’s fault their human can’t provide for them.
Shelter dogs are awesome. They’re very eager to be loved and love someone. They deserve a comfortable home just like any other dog, so it’s time to stop the myth that shelter dogs are just owner rejects.
What Are Shelter Dog Behaviors Like?
Many people assume that shelter dogs are damaged or have behavior issues, but that’s rarely the case. Since lots of shelter dogs are surrendered by previous owners, they’re often trained to some extent. Many shelter dogs are potty trained, leash trained, well-socialized, and know basic commands.
However, some dogs at shelters come from abusive pasts, causing them to know little to nothing when it comes to basic training. These dogs will need a lot more patience than the average shelter dog so they can learn to trust humans. Keep an eye out for signs of fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) to understand how the shelter environment affects the dogs. It’s a good idea to learn common dog body language to better understand what dogs are trying to say.
Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) in Shelter Dogs
All shelter dogs experience some kind of FAS. Here are a few reasons why:
- They don’t understand why they’re there
- The shelter is crowded and noisy
- The dogs don’t know where their owner is and why they were abandoned
- They’re in an unfamiliar setting and are afraid
- Some were abused or mistreated and don’t trust strangers
Dogs have the emotional capacity of a toddler. Imagine putting a child in a prison-like setting. By meeting dogs and taking them outside and away from the shelter chaos, you can better determine what their normal behaviors are like.
Once dogs are pulled from the shelter, every dog will need plenty of kindness, patience, and time to decompress (at least 2 weeks or longer), before you can get a better idea of how the dog behaves in your home environment.
Time to decompress is critical as it allows the dog to recover from feeling stressed and gives the dog a safe space to relax. Put a dog bed or pillow in a quiet, isolated place away from other dogs and people. This is a good way to start earning a dog’s trust.
Every Shelter Dog is Unique!
All dogs have unique personalities and characteristics. Thus, if you take the time to meet a variety of shelter dogs and walk them around outside of the shelter environment, you can find one that fits what you’re looking for.
It’s important to select a foster (or forever dog) that best suits your lifestyle. For example, some dogs need a lot of exercise, some have unique medical needs, and some require a lot of supervision and training. Always do your research before selecting a dog. Read their bio and volunteer comments on the shelter website. You can also take the dog for a walk, a day out, or even a doggie weekend visit at your home.
However, even the best-behaved dogs need some time to adapt and get used to their new home, so make sure you’re patient with your new dog through every step of the transition. Earn the dog’s trust with love, kindness, and positive reinforcement training.
If you’re interested in fostering or adopting a dog, please consider one of the critical dogs in Memphis. Having comfortable homes to live in would save these dogs’ lives.