Adoption behavioral issues?

Monday May 25th, 2009

Question:

If I adopt a dog from a shelter, how will I know he or she doesn't have any behavioral problems?

Answer:

The first few months of a dog's life are a very important imprinting period. What a puppy learns during that time will last a lifetime. But just like children, every dog is different; each has her own personality and her own genetic makeup.

Even dogs from pet stores and breeders can and do have behavioral issues--in some cases, more often and more serious than rescue dogs. (Many pet store pups spend entire months in crates or cages with little or no human contact.)

Once you have a particular dog in mind, speak with a professional trainer about him. No dog is perfect, but a knowledgeable staffer at the shelter will be able to tell you a bit about the dog's history and help assess his current emotional well being. The shelter staff can be a great resource and may offer suggestions as to how to deal with any bad habits or unwanted behaviors.

Every dog can be a good dog--it just takes time and consistency. Ask the shelter or rescue group what kind of temperament testing has been done, and if possible, speak to the trainer who performed the tests. The great news is that with work (and every dog needs it) any dog can learn to be a balanced, happy, and well-behaved addition to your family.

No matter what the age of your newly adopted dog, find a trainer and learn how to teach your new pal the rules at home. If you don't teach him your rules, he will make up his own--trust me!

Jamie Wolf, a lifelong animal advocate, is the founder of PetLover Central, a high-end, dog day care center in Boca Raton, Florida.

Tags Choosing A Shelter Dog, Choosing A Shelter Puppy, Dog Adoption

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Not so much about my dog Dylan's(APBT) behavior. but that I am reading him right and doing the right thing.Q1: Am I on the right track with the training. Q2: Is his behavior normal for a 2 year sheltered dog? Q3:How much learning can I except him to achieve? He is about 4yrs old now was in a shealter for 2 years. He was adtopted out twice and returned before we got him. We have him for about 3 months now. I've just been working on basic leash walking trianing. He is doing well, but still pulling and can't seem to stay focused and gets distracted easily by just about everything. Other training is basic commands : sit, stay, down. In wooded areas he is on a retractable leash and I let him take the lead in most cases and don't interact with him much as I want him to make new discoveries on his own. My theory is he is still establishing himself in the area, and making up for lost.... learning time ( smelling, seeing , hearing, tasting) of his sorroundings. At home he is good and eats well. We spend alot of time with him in the house ,and he loves to come to work riding in the car and meeting new people. He does have some seperation anxity issues for me especially but also with my wife. He is comfordable with my wife when I am gone. He is not distructive when left alond. He follows me around the house not wining but with a " so what are we going to do now" look on his face. He is my first (APBT) and my first shelter dog. Not my first dog. He seem to be more puppy like as far as his bevelopment goes. And I am taking that state of mind as to his training and what I expect of him as far as learning goes. Christopher Venezia

almost 3 years ago by Anonymous

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