Shelter Dog Behavior After Adoption
Every year, millions of dogs find new homes through animal shelters in the United States. While this is great news for both the dogs and their adopters, little is known about how these animals adjust behaviorally to their new environments. This study focused on the behavior of newly adopted shelter dogs over their first six months in their new homes.
The study followed 99 dogs adopted from five Ohio shelters between October 2020 and June 2021. The researchers used the Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), a standardized tool for measuring dog behavior, to survey the new guardians at four time points: 7, 30, 90, and 180 days after adoption.
One of the study’s recurring results was the high prevalence of certain behaviors among the adopted dogs. For example, at various points during the study period:
- 82% of dogs showed some level of stranger-directed aggression
- 75% exhibited dog-directed aggression
- 96% displayed nonsocial fear
- 93% showed separation-related behaviors
These numbers might seem alarming at first glance, but it’s important to note that the C-BARQ measures the presence of behaviors, not necessarily how serious they are or how often they occur.
Over the course of the six-month study period, the researchers observed several significant changes in dog behavior:
- Stranger-directed aggression increased at all time points compared to the 7-day baseline.
- Excitability increased at 90 and 180 days.
- Touch sensitivity (reactions to grooming, nail trimming, etc.) increased at 90 and 180 days.
- Chasing behavior increased at all time points.
- Training difficulty increased at all time points.
- Separation-related behaviors decreased at 180 days.
- Attachment and attention-seeking behaviors decreased at 180 days.
Even with these behavioral changes, guardian satisfaction remained high throughout the study. At the 180-day mark, 100% of guardians reported that their dog had adjusted to their new home either “extremely” or “moderately” well. It’s worth noting that 94% of guardians rated their dog’s overall behavior as “excellent” or “good,” with 75% indicating that their dog’s behavior had improved since adoption.
The study also identified several factors that may predict certain behaviors in adopted shelter dogs. For example, dogs who received behavioral medications while in the shelter were more likely to show stranger-directed aggression and touch sensitivity after adoption, dogs weighing between 9-23 pounds were more likely to exhibit stranger-directed aggression, dogs over 7 years old showed less training difficulty compared to younger dogs, and dogs weighing more than 56 pounds had higher training difficulty scores.
The researchers noted that the COVID-19 pandemic, which happened within the study period, may have influenced some of the observed behaviors. For example, the high prevalence of separation-related behaviors (88% at 180 days) could be partly attributed to pandemic-related changes in human schedules and social distancing measures.
This study provided valuable insights for animal shelters, veterinarians, and potential adopters. Understanding how shelter dogs typically adjust to new homes over time can help set realistic expectations and guide interventions to support successful adoptions. For instance, the finding that separation-related behaviors tend to decrease slightly after three months could reassure guardians dealing with this issue in newly adopted dogs.
The research had some limitations, including its focus on dogs from Ohio shelters and potential sampling bias. The authors suggest that future studies could investigate the role of various treatments or interventions in influencing post-adoption behavior changes.
This study provided a comprehensive look at how shelter dogs adjust behaviorally to their new homes over the first six months after adoption. While some concerning behaviors may increase over time, overall guardian satisfaction remains high, suggesting that the human-animal bond can overcome many challenges. The findings can help shelter staff, veterinarians, and animal behaviorists better prepare and support new dog guardians, ultimately leading to more successful adoptions and fewer dogs returned to shelters.
However, the study also highlights areas of concern, particularly the increase in stranger-directed aggression over time. This underscores the importance of ongoing socialization and training for adopted dogs, as well as the need for adopters to be prepared for potential behavioral challenges.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356