Rescue Dog E-Book

Ann Stead

• Herausgeber: Crowood
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Beschreibung

Many people believe that rescue dogs are troubled, traumatised, strays with long-lasting problems. While this view may be true in some instances, the majority of dogs in rescue centres are there because their previous owners have simply abandoned them. Every year new homes are found for thousands of these 'rescue' dogs by dedicated charities but in order to make this re-homing a success, the new owners need considerable knowledge, patience and understanding. The Rescue Dog takes the reader through each stage of the re-homing process, from choosing a dog, to preparing the home and garden and settling the dog into its new life. With chapters which examine the elderly dog, puppies, avoiding misunderstandings, training and common concerns, the authors have produced a fully informative and practical guide. Topics covered include: Where to go to find a rescue dog and what to expect; The early days when the dog is settling into its new home; Canine requirements; Common behavioural concerns; Children and dogs. This invaluable book offers new owners a practical guide to responsible ownership, and is illustrated throughout with 143 colour photographs and diagrams.

Leseprobe

THE RESCUE DOG

A Guide to Successful Re-Homing

Vanessa Stead and Ann Stead

THE CROWOOD PRESS

First published in 2010 by

The Crowood Press Ltd

Ramsbury, Marlborough

Wiltshire SN8 2HR

www.crowood.com

This e-book first published in 2014

© Vanessa Stead and Ann Stead 2010

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 1 84797 965 0

CONTENTS

Introduction

1 Making the Decision

2 Where to Go and What to Expect

3 Canine Requirements

4 The Elderly Dog

5 Rescue Puppies

6 Preparing the Home

7 Children and Dogs

8 Dogs, Gardens and their Mutual Protection

9 Early Days

10 Avoiding Misunderstandings

11 Dominance, Attachment and Your Dog

12 The Importance of Socialization

13 A Stitch in Time

14 Common Concerns

Conclusion

Further Information

Index

INTRODUCTION

You have already made two major decisions: you have decided to get a dog, and you have decided to re-home one from a rescue organization.

THE RESCUE DOG

Many people believe that rescue dogs are troubled, traumatized strays with long-lasting problems. While this view may be justified for some, in reality there is a tremendous amount of variation between the dogs in re-homing centres all over the world. The dogs are there for a large and varied number of reasons, most of which have little to do with the actual dog. The most common reasons are extremely relevant in the selection of a suitable companion.

Before you even step through the door of the re-homing centre, you need to have thought about what sort of dog you are looking for.

There are many reasons why a dog might enter a re-homing centre:

•

It may be a stray, found wander ing the streets by a dog warden.

•

It may have been rescued from deliber ate human neglect and cruelty.

•

Its owners may have divorced and can no longer look after it.

•

Its owner may have become ill or died.

•

Its family may have run into debt, lost their jobs or their homes and can no longer afford to keep it.

These dogs often come with a full repertoire of tricks they can do, as well as their favourite bed and blanket.

•

Many ‘accidental’ matings result in puppies whose owners struggle to find home for them; these puppies may end up in a re-homing centre.

•

There are also dogs that have become ‘too old’, and may even have been cast aside to make way for a younger model.

•

Some owners cannot cope with their dog’s behaviour – but a dog who is a problem for one family may be another’s characterful companion.

The Advantages of Re-Homing a Rescue Dog

Where better to start your search for your ideal dog, the dog most suitable to your lifestyle and requirements, than amongst the thousands in re-homing centres looking for a home. When you look down a row of kennels you become aware of the variety in appearance, age, size, activity level and character between dogs. From pure-bred dogs to unfathomable cross-breeds, the huge diversity offers you a fantastic selection from which to choose the most suitable companion for your family. During your search you will have the additional benefit of trained staff to help you find the ‘ideal match’ and perfect companion.

If you have set your heart on a particular breed it is possible to find one in many of the re-homing centres around the country. However, there are also breed-specific rescue organizations that concentrate on a single breed and are often associated with a breed club. Most breed-specific rescue organizations do not have dedicated kennels and may use foster homes, or may re-home directly from the previous owner.

If you are in search of a dog to suit a specific age group, from children to the elderly, you can find one in a re-homing centre. Many families with children are in search of a dog to complete their home. The wide range of dogs – from puppies to seniors and quite literally every age group in between – means that you can find the right dog for you.

Dog ownership has been found to be very beneficial to the elderly. A study of 938 people aged sixty-five and over found that those who owned pets had fewer visits to the doctor than those who did not. Dogs offered additional advantages such as reducing stress, and providing companionship and an object of attachment, which is associated with better mental health and a higher sense of morale. Feeling secure is particularly important for the elderly, and this is provided much more by a dog than any other pet1. Many of the dogs in rehoming centres would make excellent companions for the elderly, ticking all the right boxes with regard to characteristics.

Many professionals are involved in ensuring the rescue dog is ready for rehoming, and the majority of re-homing centres vaccinate. Some rescue organizations, such as the Dog’s Trust, also neuter their dogs. Furthermore they will help you resolve any initial difficulties by offering training tips and other advice.

Re-homing a dog from a rescue organization is a fantastic thing to do from an ethical perspective. Giving a home to one of the thousands of dogs in need is a huge step in helping reduce the problem of unwanted dogs. You are also undoubtedly making a life-changing difference to a living creature when you re-home a dog that has been selected specifically for your family.

While there are many differences between rescue dogs, there is one thing that unites them: they all need to be given the chance of a better life. Successfully re-homing a rescue dog can be a rewarding experience in itself, but it has yet another wonderful side effect: you may just find the friend of a lifetime.

An intelligent, calm and friendly lurcher puppy, which adores people: a perfect family companion.

1 MAKING THE DECISION

There are many decisions to be made during the process of re-homing a rescue dog, and organizing your thoughts, feelings and requirements is a good place to start. In the first part of this chapter we will take you through the decisionmaking process, helping you to focus gradually on the characteristics of the dog that will suit you and your family. We will then lead you through the re-homing procedure so you know what to expect and are prepared for this serious commitment.

This flow diagram will help you decide which characteristics are best suited for your circumstances. You can discuss them with the re-homing centre, and your notes will help when filling out the forms most centres use to facilitate a good match.

A ‘SECOND’ THOUGHT

All dogs to some degree or another can cause mess in your home. They just can’t help their paws attracting mud, nor resist rolling in smelly substances, often the smellier the better! Some dogs can’t avoid dribbling water from their bowls all over the house – and they can’t help the occasional toilet accident when you have been out a little longer than you should have been.

This is the reality of owning a dog, and if any of this sounds intolerable, you need to consider whether your priority is a tidy home or a happy dog. Of course you can have both, but it may well require more frequent housework. This is one aspect of re-homing a dog that you really must consider before you sign on the dotted line.

This dog is making himself very comfortable, though his muddy paws are making a mess on the sofa.

WHICH BREED OF DOG?

If you decide to re-home a dog belonging to a particular breed, then to some extent you know what to expect, as pure-breed dogs have been bred for specific purposes. Therefore we strongly advise you to research the physical and mental characteristics that are most prominent in your preferred breed. The Kennel Club breed standards are an excellent place to start, as these cover aspects such as size, behaviour, health concerns and even life expectancy. This will give you an insight into the mental, physical and functional nature of that breed. However, we must emphasize that every dog is an individual, which means that temperament and character may vary greatly even within a highly selected breed.

If you are interested in re-homing a cross-breed dog, determining which breed of dog he is crossed with can be very useful. It can be a great deal of fun and may keep you guessing, but if your guesses are correct you will have some idea of what to expect of him.

You may find both pure-breed and cross-breed dogs looking for a home. Before you reach this point do some homework as to the breed of dog most suitable for your family.

BEHAVIOURAL TENDENCIES

There is a common perception that males tend to be adventurous and need strong handling, and that females tend to be more docile. The truth is far from simple, and there is enormous individual variation within the sexes. Research has found that both genders show the same behaviours; it is only the frequency that varies.

A dog’s gender will not therefore enable you to predict how it is going to behave, and basing your expectations of an individual dog solely on its gender, or any other particular trait, will undoubtedly lead to misconceptions. Critically these may affect how you behave towards the dog, and could be detrimental to the relationship you have with him. The story of Ollie shows how this can happen.

Understanding Ollie

Ollie was a one-year-old, male blue merle collie, found as a stray. He was re-homed by a young couple who had many friends with dogs and therefore wanted Ollie to socialize regularly. Ollie had been neutered only a fortnight before, and while he was at the re-homing centre he was extremely sociable and loved playing with male and female dogs both neutered and un-neutered. He had been kennelled with a female lurcher and had never been a concern with other dogs.

Ollie’s new owners knew his background and decided to develop a method of handling based on his recently neutered male status. They decided that Ollie was likely to be dominant, headstrong, trying and challenging both in and out of the home. They had never had a dog before and were determined that their new dog should be as well behaved as possible.

Ollie’s first outing was a trip to the stable yard where the couple’s friends were waiting with their dogs. When Ollie caught sight of the dogs he became very excited and eager to make friends, so started to whimper and give a few high-pitched barks. The couple were extremely worried by this and were certain that Ollie was displaying dominant behaviour, particularly as he was pulling on the lead. They punished him by jerking the lead and shouting.

Ollie barked louder and pulled more intently. He was punished again, and at this point the friends brought their dogs closer. Ollie continued to jump up and down on the lead, barking loudly and thus convincing his owners that he was challenging them.

Ollie was now desperate, confused, and becoming very stressed by the whole affair. When he reached forwards to say ‘Hello’ to a spaniel belonging to one of the friends, his owner tightened the lead, so he couldn’t respond normally when the spaniel jumped up on his back. The formerly well socialized, confident Ollie, who had gone through this many times before, would normally have just given a growl to tell the spaniel to back off; but now, recently punished, confused and anxious, instead of uttering just a low-key warning, he delivered a more aggressive snap towards the spaniel’s nose. This resulted in further punishment, and made the new owners even more convinced that they were correct in their assessment of him as a dominant, aggressive male dog.

The reality was sadly very different, and their incorrect assumptions, together with inappropriate handling, merely set poor Ollie up for failure.

Respect Individuality

Knowledge and information about your new dog is essential when starting your relationship, but use this carefully as each dog is an individual. The young couple who re-homed Ollie were set to fail from the start due to their incorrect assumption that as a recently neutered male he needed very firm handling. If you respect a dog’s individuality, and make sure you do not focus solely on factors such as gender, it will be more likely that you will make a success of re-homing a rescue dog.

NEUTERING

The majority of re-homing centres neuter their dogs before they are ready to be rehomed. Others give out neutering vouchers for dogs that cannot be neutered before they are taken home. Many of the re-homing centres will schedule in follow-up calls and visits to ensure the operation has been carried out, for the simple reason that there are far more unwanted dogs than there are homes for them. By preventing conception there will be fewer dogs around to be abandoned, given up or even destroyed.

For those of you who are uncertain about male and female differences, it has been established that the traits differentiating the sexes tend to be altered by castration in 50–60 per cent of dogs3. Even if this were not the case, neutering offers important health advantages.

The female dog is ‘designed’ to have two pregnancies a year. If she does not conceive, she may suffer a false pregnancy following a season, making her feel miserable and uncomfortable, which could lead to behavioural problems. What is more, it is estimated that up to half of the unneutered female population suffers from a womb infection called pyometra, which can be fatal. Neutering not only removes this risk, but if done early also protects against mammary cancer.

Male dogs can also be protected by neutering, as this removes the risk of testicular cancer and significantly reduces the likelihood of tumours and later prostate problems.

MORE THAN ONE DOG?

In answer to the question whether it is preferable to have more than one dog, it depends on the particular dogs you are considering, and your reason for wanting another dog.

If you watch dogs playing together, it is clear why it can be beneficial for them to have a companion of their own species. They enjoy a good rough and tumble, and often use their mouths and teeth in a manner we would be foolish to emulate. This sort of play can be very intense, and it is a constant surprise that both parties not only escape injury, but seem to be having so much fun. Social interaction is very important for the large majority of dogs, and it can have huge benefits to both the behaviour and welfare of the dog, especially in the kennel environment.

It is essential to assess each dog’s individual needs to see if a companion dog would be right for him. A second dog could make a significant difference to your current dog’s emotional and physical state and wellbeing, and this could be positive or negative, either of which could affect you and your family. If your dogs are happy and content without conflict or concern, it is much more likely that you will feel the same.

Dogs learn extremely effectively by observing others, and it is important to bear this in mind when considering re-homing another. Your new dog may well learn undesirable behaviour from the dog you have already, so you may just be doubling your troubles.

Reasons for adding another dog

How you think this will help

Possible outcomes

Suggestions

My year-old collie cross is very sociable and would benefit from another dog.

Companionship, play friend and second family dog.

Suitable dog will act as a play friend, and companion and a loved member of the family.

Look for a dog that is friendly and sociable with humans and other dogs alike.

My two-year-old labrador needs more exercise and I haven’t time to take him on walks.

He will play with the second dog so they will exercise each other.

The second dog may not necessarily help your current dog to become more active. Your new dog will also require walking and will potentially become problematic if he is not adequately exercised.

If you don’t have time for one dog, two dogs are going to stretch you. It is important to focus on your dog and find an alternative solution. A dog walker could be a consideration.

I want to stop my three-year-old male poodle from patrolling along our fence and barking at our neighbour.

A new dog would not know to do this and would distract our poodle when he tries.

Dogs learn from each other through observational learning. It is possible that a new dog could learn the same behaviour.

If you have any concerns it is important to rectify these before taking on another dog. If you do not it is likely that you may have double the trouble when a new dog arrives.

To help my nine-year-old German shepherd male overcome his severe fear and aggression towards other dogs.

A new dog will encourage him to become sociable with other dogs as he has never lived with a dog before.

Conflict between the two dogs is likely, and may lead to further aggression and injury. ‘Flooding’ the German shepherd with what he is frightened of may lead to emotional and physical shut-down and a very miserable dog.

Seek professional advice. The German shepherd may require behaviour modification training to help him overcome his fears. It is possible he will be happier as an only dog.

My fifteen-year-old female spaniel seems to be suffering from the loss of our sixteen-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier cross.

Adding a puppy will rejuvenate her and bring her back to how she was six years ago when we got our Staffordshire bull terrier. Although she cannot walk far for medical reasons, a puppy will help her to feel happier and be more active.

Puppies are active and playful, but this may not be in the best interest of your elderly spaniel. As she has physical ailments, a puppy may be too much for her. Nor will this situation benefit the puppy.

Seek veterinary advice to assess if your current dog could cope with the introduction of a new companion. If she is mentally and physically capable, consider an older, less active dog that is not likely to jump on her or make her unhappy.

Choosing Responsibly

A great deal of care is needed in choosing a suitable second dog. Our responses remain the same whether a dog is male or female, but a dog’s response to another male and his response to a female may be quite different. While gender in a single dog is not a particular concern, it is a significant factor in successfully re-homing a companion for your current dog. A male dog may tolerate the instigation and continuation of rough play from female dogs, but he may rarely accept it from the males. It is advisable to re-home dogs of the opposite sex to reduce possible conflict issues, however some dogs of the same sex can become the very best of friends. It depends greatly on the individual dogs you are considering.

It is important to treat both dogs equally, as research shows that they have the ability to recognize when the other is getting preferential treatment. In a study at the University of Vienna, pairs of dogs were given commands to place their paws in the experimenter’s hands, and when they obeyed, they were given a reward. When one dog wasn’t given a reward for obeying, and the other dog in the pair was, the unrewarded dog would refuse to respond to the repeated commands.

Whilst we cannot claim that the unrewarded dog felt this was unfair, it does show that he recognized that a rule had been broken and that his own place in the ‘game’ needed to be re-established. Therefore each dog should have his own food, water bowl, lead and collar, as well as toys. You will need to give both dogs individual attention to ensure the attachment you have with both of them continues to be secure.

Introducing a new dog needs sensitive handling as it is quite possible for one dog to simply dislike another. You should, therefore, ask the re-homing centre if they can arrange for the two dogs to meet in a calm environment away from the kennel area so that you can see if they are going to be a good match.

REPLACING A LOVED ONE

One of the most painful situations a dog owner must face is the loss of a canine friend; the grief this generates is often as great as the loss of a relative, and leaves a huge hole in daily life. You constantly think you have seen your pet out of the corner of your eye, and the house feels empty when you return home. When you are ready and in a position to do so you may want to get another dog. The grief you feel may make it difficult to look down the line at a re-homing centre – but remember you are not only helping yourself, you are also offering a chance of happiness to a dog in need.

Although you may find a dog that looks identical to your old friend, it is unlikely he will have an identical character or personality. To avoid disappointment and potential resentment on both sides, it is best to approach your visit to the re-homing centre with a fresh eye.

It is important not be inflexible in your choice, especially when you are hoping to replace a beloved pet. Dogs of a particular breed obviously look the same, but they are all individuals and may not fill the place left by your old friend. There are many reasons why a pairing might not work, and the re-homing centre has the knowledge and experience to make a sound decision. Trust them.

Replacing a loved one can be such an emotional and difficult thing to do. If you feel you are ready to re-home a new dog after the loss of another, then take time to find the right individual. The loss may have left a large gap in your life, but take care to select your next dog for his temperament and suitability rather than for his similarity to your previous dog.

THE RESPONSIBLE DECISION

A family with a five-year-old daughter came to the centre where Vanessa was working. They had had experience with collies for over ten years, but had lost their old collie a few weeks earlier; they now wanted to meet a new dog that had recently arrived from Ireland. They had seen him on the website, and he looked exactly like their previous dog. He was a one-year-old stray, and was very nervous, reacting with fear to both noise and movement. Vanessa was certain he would be unable to cope with a five-year-old used to playing with her dog as she would with her human friends. This collie boy was quiet, shut down and definitely not ready, and maybe would never be ready for this type of home environment.

Two facts prevented this potential offer of a home: in the first place there was no evidence that the collie was sociable with children, and this was compounded by the fact that he was extremely nervous. It would have been very irresponsible to have allowed him to go to a home with such a young child as there was no way to safetytest him with young children.

Vanessa therefore had to turn down this kind offer of a home. Such decisions can be very upsetting and difficult to understand, but in such situations the re-homing centre is simply trying to facilitate a suitable match.

2 WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO EXPECT

The number of rescue organizations throughout the UK and Ireland is vast, and many of these have a re-homing centre where you can select a suitable dog. Some rescue organizations are ‘breed specific’, so if you are in search of a pure breed dog then you may still find your perfect companion here. Many rehoming centres have their policies, details of their opening days and visiting hours, as well as information about their available dogs, all listed on their websites, so you can do some groundwork about these from the comfort of your home before your visit. However, although the majority of re-homing centres try to keep their website up to date, things can change a great deal in just a day – every time the phone rings it could be another owner on the end of the line asking the centre to accept their dog for re-homing. It is therefore useful to bear in mind the following three points:

•

Just because you can’t see ‘your’ dog on their website doesn’t mean he isn’t at the re-homing centre. A great deal can change in a day. Check the status quo with a quick phone call.

•

Introduce yourself and get to know the kennel staff so they can help you find the right dog and contact you if a suitable candidate becomes available.

•

Try to stay patient, and don’t give up! There are so many dogs looking for homes, each time you inquire you increase your chances of finding ‘your’ dog.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Re-homing centres do an important job, and the large majority of them set high standards in animal welfare. It is very expensive to run a rescue organization, particularly a re-homing centre, therefore many have set fees, while others ask for a donation when you re-home a dog. Before you waste either your own time or that of the re-homing centre, it is worthwhile asking about fees, as they can be well over £100. If you are asked for an excessive amount you should check if the re-homing centre is a registered charity accountable for their funds. However, a high fee may cover charges for vaccinations, micro-chipping, neutering and flea and worm treatment, most of which you will have to have done anyway.

Most re-homing centres require a person to be over eighteen years old before they will allow them to re-home a dog, and you will certainly be asked to complete an application form. Do not expect to take home the dog you like there and then; this is not like buying a new hamster. Re-homing centres need to be sure that the dog is going to a suitable home, which could mean that you are required to visit the dog several times before taking him.

This is especially true if you have children, because they will want to see that the dog is calm and confident around your child, and vice versa. Some have a policy not to place rescue dogs with owners who have any children under a certain age, usually five years old. This rule is there for your family’s safety, and however unfair such a restriction may seem when you are intent on a specific dog, please remember that these precautions are responsible and necessary.

Many rescue organizations make neutering a condition of re-homing, while others have the operation carried out before the dog can go home. In view of the high number of unwanted dogs, this is responsible behaviour and, as discussed earlier, there are additional health benefits for the dog, especially later in life.

You may find your emotions run away with you when you walk past so many lovely dogs needing homes.

Collies in particular find kennel life difficult to cope with. This collie clearly wants to leave the confines of his kennel.

Some dogs, such as this springer spaniel, appear to be patiently waiting for someone to take them out of their kennel.

VISITING THE RE-HOMING CENTRE

We know you will want to make a good impression, and that can be achieved by showing you mean business. Wear comfortable shoes and bring wet weather clothes as it very likely you will be outside at some point in your visit. Wear items that you don’t mind getting dirty, and trousers or jeans that allow you to bend or kneel down and will protect your legs against scratches. Many of the dogs will be very pleased to see you when you come to visit, and show this by jumping up on you. It is certainly best to be prepared.

When you plan your visit to the rehoming centre allow yourself plenty of time to look round. Obviously the more individual kennels there are, the more time you will need: for example, if there are over fifty kennels leave yourself an hour or two. It gives a poor impression of your commitment if you seem to be in a rush to go somewhere else. You will also need time to talk to the carers, who can be extremely useful as they know the dogs personally and can tell you those allimportant, extra details.

At this stage you should leave any other dogs or pets at home, as your presence alone is enough to raise the general stress levels of the residents. If you are in search of a companion for a current dog, leave him at home for the first visit as this will leave you free to focus all your attention on the dogs before you. You will be required to bring your current dog at a later stage to meet the dog you are interested in, to ensure they are a good match.

THE KENNEL ENVIRONMENT

It is important to consider how dogs react to the kennel environment, as this will help you understand many of the behaviours you may see. But first let us take a brief look into the world of the kennels from the dog’s eye view.

It is important to emphasize that many of the dogs in re-homing centres are not seen at their best because the very nature of the environment is stressful. The first thing visitors are likely to notice about some re-homing centres is the excessive noise, which can make some people want to go straight back home. Although it is the dogs themselves causing the noise, they, too, can be very stressed by it. Forewarned is forearmed, so be prepared for this, and try to bear it for the amount of time necessary to look carefully at the dogs.

A dog’s eye view: the light is blocked out by the figure at the kennel front, and this is enough to cause additional stress and fear for some dogs. Never put fingers or hands through the bars as kennelled dogs could become anxious very easily.

Many people find this environment distressing – but remember, these dogs are the lucky ones as they are being fed and cared for. Meanwhile thousands of others are roaming the streets, or in homes with owners unable to care for them, or, in the worst case scenario, with owners who mistreat them. An hour looking around a re-homing centre may be just enough time to meet the perfect dog for you.

Appearances can certainly be deceptive, so it is vital to remember that the kennel environment will be influencing the behaviour of every dog in some way. Kennelled dogs are often anxious due to a number of factors, not least of which is the presence of so many other dogs. A study conducted in 1998 that compared dogs able to see what was going on outside their kennel, with dogs denied that privilege, revealed that the former group spent significantly more of their time at the front of the pen (in a position to see other dogs and people passing) than the latter group (87.7 per cent versus 24.6 per cent)5.

The down side of this is that many rehoming centres have no alternative than to walk unfamiliar or potentially aggressive dogs past each other in the kennels. This contributes significantly to increasing the stress levels of the dogs that spend most of their time at the front of the kennel.

Many of the dogs find it difficult to relax because their brain is constantly alert. Some may also suffer from sleep deprivation. It would therefore be unfair to base your judgment on any dog exclusively from your viewing of him in the kennel environment. The behaviour you will witness is a window into the dog’s physical, mental and emotional state, and if you just stop to consider why the dog is behaving in this way, this will ensure that you do not reject a dog that may in fact be very suitable for your family. If you are interested in any of the dogs, contact the kennel staff and find out more about them.

The most commonly observed behaviour is excessive barking, although some dogs become depressed and listless while others become overactive. There are also some dogs who find kennel life so difficult to cope with that they exhibit stereotypical behaviour (behaviours that are excessively repeated, compulsive and without an obvious purpose) such as tail chasing, circling, whirling round and bouncing repeatedly off the kennel walls6. Stress is rife among kennelled dogs, and can be caused by a number of factors.

This dog displays stress and frustration as it watches another dog walking past her kennel (its nose can just be seen at left). Such dogs may appear aggressive in these circumstances, but this does not reflect their ‘true’ nature.

SIGNALS BEHIND BARS

The following section is a photographic representation of the behaviours and expressions typical of dogs suffering different emotions and stress levels caused by incarceration in the kennel environment.

The Stressed Dog

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Facial ridges and mouth rigid and open: This expression indicates tension and stress, and in little Tommy’s case is accompanied by high-pitched barking.

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Pawing at the kennel: This behaviour indicates that the dog has a strong desire to leave and is finding confinement difficult. It is often accompanied by frustration and additional stress.