11/04/2023
ADOPTING DOGS FROM ABROAD: Response to comments/ questions in a previous thread.
This time I will share my thoughts on comments that raised concerns over whether overseas rescue dogs make good pet dogs and what owners can do to try and make sure they are getting a dog for life, and not one they'll end up surrendering to the UK rescue system (or at worse, having to PTS because no one will take the dog!).
My biggest concern about the adoption of overseas dogs is that many people have lost sight of how dogs, as a species, actually behave. Expectations can be based on the perfect pet labrador the family owned 15 years previously, or on the dogs they have seen in the park.
Or they can be based on idealism and optimism- which sometimes works out, but not always.
Unmet expectations can be problematic for overseas rescue dogs because they lead to unpreparedness and frustration towards the dog for offering behaviour that reflects their genetics and learning history (mind you, this can be said for all dogs!).
In some instances, how the dog behaves can cause fear and mistrust (of the dog) in their new families, sometimes with good reason.
LOOKS CAN MATTER
As touched down on in my previous post, there is a lot of variation in breed/types depending on which country you are getting the dog from. It's hard to know what the dog is if you don't yet know of all the unusual and uncommon breeds and types from that part of the world.
But taking into consideration how a dog LOOKS can provide us information.
Look at the dog and consider what behaviours does that dog look like it may do well. What behaviours does that individual look physically prepared for?
Large, heavyset dogs with a somewhat calm-looking facial expression may be from dogs bred to provide a strong and stoic presence on the mountains protecting livestock. Think how that may transfer to 'intrusion' to the home environment or towards boisterous dogs rushing up to them when they're on lead?
Athletic looking dogs who appear more active may be more socially motivated and explorative. How might that transfer to when they are always (or initially) walked on a short lead in busy places or off lead in the woods?
How do we think a dog who looks similar to our hunting breeds (often from Spain, Greece and Cyprus) will behave in wildlife dense areas- especially now they have an abundance of physical resources (energy) provided in their new home?
Does the dog look like a terrier? Although perhaps larger than many of our UK terriers. What traits may you expect to see in a terrier? In my experience, wire hair and curly tails equal highly resilient 'party animals' full of 'mischief' (more so during adolescence) which some people love as traits, others not so much.
Dogs with an alert posture (high head carriage, wide, alert eyes, slightly pricked or pricked ears when in neutral) may be more sensitive to things that threaten intrusion to their core territory or personal space (not unique to foreign dogs by any means!).
Dogs who look a little bit 'wolfy', especially those with sable coats and 'goggle' markings around their eyes may exhibit more fearful behaviours because there may well be some wolf-dog ancestry in there (especially in Eastern European countries).
"Supermuts/village dogs" can be highly independent decision makers who can take time to develop a relationship where they’re more open to your suggestions.
They may appear to have a higher threshold for threat, but that this threshold can be very quickly breached up close or if something travels directly at speed, such as dogs or people rushing up. Note, this threshold can easily lower further over time with repetition of negative experiences.
The vast majority of dogs will generally value a stable social group of both human and dogs. Especially dogs from overseas who are often used to group living, bar perhaps some livestock guardian types or some individuals who can prefer a smaller stable group. For some, being without other dogs may be preferred- but this is less common in my experience.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION....
How the dog looks can give you a clue. Now you can think about where the dog has come from and what they may have learned across their life before they came to you. Think about socialisation, threat perception, abundance of resources and potential negative experiences.
Even if a dog was born in a shelter, if their parents were able to breed successfully on the street or were themselves from street dog ancestry- we should consider whether this brings traits of increases vigilance and quick responses (fight or flight) to potential threats. These traits can be inherited and also socially learned when young.
The main problem behaviours I see in overseas rescue dogs are:
TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOUR (towards guests and noises), RESOURCE GUARDING, REACTIVITY (on lead usually) and FEARFUL BEHAVIOUR (panic responses , shut down).
To me, it seems unsuprising that these dogs arrive with these problem behaviours or start to exhibit them once settled in (feeling safe enough to communicate their emotions or starting to take on responsibility within their new social group).
Territorial behaviour is normal for all dogs, but most dogs with true street dog ancestry or of certain breeds/types (such as live stock guardian) will often take it to a higher intensity.
Being aware of threats and repelling them for personal safety or to maintain access to resources (or a source of) is adaptive- and in a busy, urban environment this can easily escalate.
On lead, responses to investigate situations are limited and natural behaviours (zig zag explorative movement and sniffing) are inhibited- and frustration and fear responses can easily escalate.
Previous deprivation around resources can lead to over arousal now resources are in abundance and vigilance in protecting them, or guarding of people associated with resources. Especially when children are involved.
Being transported in a van for 5 days (or more) or flown to their new country can lead to huge trauma- and sometimes the trauma happened long before then.
Many over seas rescue dogs are prepared to use big expressions of ritualised aggression. Clear and efficient communication will resolve potential conflict quickly and effectively.
Some dogs will choose avoidance, especially when there is ample time to do so, but many are prepared to stand their ground and use body language that can be highly intimidating and worrisome.
CAN OVER SEAS RESCUE DOGS BE FAMILY DOGS (INCLUDING WITH CHILDREN)?
Sometimes.
I've met many overseas dogs that are fantastic family pets and great around children. I've also met many who are not suited to a family home at all, nor suited to busy urban life.
Please note my bias as a behaviourist, I will encounter problem behaviour cases. However, I do also meet dogs out on my walks and listen to a lot of anecdotal reports from non clients on here and other forums.
There are things we can do to prevent getting a dog (or placing a dog) who is totally unsuitable and who is therefor at risk of being relinquished to rescue, passed to a new home, returned to rescue or at worse PTS.
1. Look at the dog! As above, try and figure out what traits may be observed in that dog based on their looks (breed/type). Think of the worst traits and consider if you're ready to work with those traits.
2. Consider the location/ history and how that may affect behaviour from a genetic and learning perspective.
Make sure you get given adequate information on the dog's history rather than a vague story- unless you are ready to handle the unknown.
3. Ask for videos that show the dog in situations they will encounter. Being walked on equipment, being inside a building, being handled comfortably by people (including children if relevant to your situation), being comfortable around other dogs, being walked near traffic etc.
If you adopt from a fosterer in the UK, you can more easily observe your potetial family member in the contexts you may be putting them in and get an idea of how they might behave.
4. Choose a registered charity to adopt your dog from.
5. Choose a charity that has GUARANTEED rescue back up that is in your country. Some charities provide behaviour support, but we should be cautious of the qualifications of such persons. Speaking from experience, I was once NOT highly qualified behaviour support although my advice was always based on understanding the dog's ancestry and implementing aversion-free methods.
6. Think of the worse case scenario. What's the worst thing that can happen in terms of behaviour problems and can you manage that? You don't have to have the knowledge to know what to do, but you should have the time and money to pay for professional help and implement the advice.
I am pro rescue, but I am not pro badly placed rescues. Seeing misunderstood street dogs who are being hurried into becoming a dog that is the opposite of what they are genetically predisposed to be really upsets me.
I also find it upsetting to see the impact this has on owners who have been 'mid-sold' a dog and led to believe that a puppy whose had no socialisation and who comes from street dog ancestry will make the perfect family pet. Note, some do- but we are playing roulette if we don't have the observable information to support the hope that the dog will meet expectations.
I personally love the complexities of many street dogs, but not everyone can handle them! We do them a massive disservice to think that every single street dog will thrive in a urban, home environment- especially if hurried to adapt. Most will learn to cope, but not all.
We need to try and accurately identify the ones who will cope and ideally thrive BEFORE transport.
Many over seas rescues, "street"/village dog or not- will likely need ample time to overcome the process and journey into this country.
Notes: all traits described in this post are applicable to ALL dogs of ALL breeds from ALL backgrounds. My descriptions are based on anecdotal experience over time of working with hundreds of overseas rescues. As always, there is variation within EVERY population.
Next up, we will discuss health concerns in over seas rescue dogs.
If you'd like to learn more about over seas rescue dogs, please sign up to the CTM TRAUMA IN DOGS conferenence. Link in comments.
You can also learn more in depth via my webinars on street dogs, also linked in comments.
