What Problems do Rescued Dogs Have? And why this question is fundamentally flawed

While not every rescue dog has problems, many people are under the impression that rescued dogs are inappropriately aggressive or have major health problems.

On the contrary, most rescues in developed countries like the US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Europe come from foster carers, shelters and pounds where they were essentially at-risk before being saved by a rescue organisation, and the dog will go on to live a very happy life with any regular family.

With proper vetting and training, most rescue dogs can be just as happy and healthy as any other pet.

Some of the problems that rescued dogs may have are:

• Mood issues — Aggressive, anxious, shy or fearful behaviour
• Destructive Behavior — inside or outside damaging
• Not being housebroken — accidents around the house
• Aggressive, anxious, shy or fearful behaviour
• Resource Guarding — specifically displaying aggression or fear when others are around food, toys, people or bedding

These behaviours can generally be explained as being because of one of two things:

1. Mood disturbance (the dog is anxious/scared/upset being in a new place, or maybe having experienced past traumas. These behaviours are coping mechanisms)
2. Lack of obedience training (the dog doesn’t know right from wrong, they’ve never been properly taught)

But really the bigger problems that rescued dogs often have are:

• They were mismatched with their new family
• They didn’t get to spend enough time in a loving, stable foster situation to allow the dog to decompress and show its true quirks, unique personality and areas for behavioural improvement
• The family didn’t understand the importance of exercise, keeping the mind active, entertaining and spending time with their new rescued dog
• The family doesn’t provide the dog with space, hugging, crowding, touching the dog’s belongings, and doing other things that are likely to cause any dog anxiety

So we often ask, what are the problems that rescued dogs have?

And our minds might jump to the behaviours that rescue dogs display when they are fearful or anxious.

But it’s important to change that perception, and show that no, these behaviours are reactions to the REAL problems that rescue dogs have.

And what are those problems?

A lack of understanding from their new human families. And with more understanding, there will be less biting, less bad behaviour, fewer failed adoptions, and more happy families — doggo and all.

In my article on the #RealRescues movement, you’ll see I talk more about why rescued dogs are perceived as having all these negative behaviours.