Tails of Tension Decoding

Shelters offer a haven for dogs and other animals in need. However, the new environments may become a source of stress for some canines, especially those from difficult backgrounds. Helping dogs recover from fear-related behaviors requires understanding and consistency to build trust and confidence.

Unpacking the Triggers Behind Canine Stress in Shelters

Entering a shelter can introduce new stressors or exacerbate existing fears, typically for the following reasons.

Unfamiliar Surroundings

Taking a doggo away from his original home is a significant cause of stress. Animals become accustomed to a specific environment and build their lives around it. Abruptly bringing them into a shelter where they know nothing and no one can be disorienting. Even if their previous living situation was poor, the abrupt change triggers anxiety.

Loud Noises

Shelters often house several animals, making them incredibly noisy at times. Barking dogs, meowing cats, and the sound of cages and equipment can be overwhelming, especially for a dog that’s new to the place.

Unfamiliar People

Shelter dogs regularly encounter new faces. They might get used to the regular staff, but shelters also welcome numerous volunteers, potential adopters, and visitors. Some dogs can adapt, but others, especially those with heavy trauma, can react with fear or aggression.

Stress Less, Wag More – Signs of Stress

Stress can manifest itself in identifiable signs. The fear, aggression, and stress (FAS) spectrum is a useful tool to help you measure the discomfort an animal is experiencing.

Signs of mild canine stress –

• Licking his lips
• Avoiding eye contact
• Turning the head away without moving away
• Slight panting
• Lifting the paw

Signs of moderate canine stress –

• Turning ears slightly back or to the side
• Furrowing brows
• Fidgeting
• Panting
• Slow movements

Signs of severe canine stress –

• Tucking tail
• Turning the ears back
• Running or slinking away
• Excessive panting
• Freezing
• Trembling
• Dilating pupils

Paws Under Pressure – The Impact of Stress on Furry Friends

Some stress is normal in everyday life. However, too much of it can cause health and behavioral problems. Shelter dogs are especially prone to these issues, mostly due to the unpredictable circumstances of the setting.

Stress, fear, and anxiety can cause dogs to become extremely skittish or aggressive. Research shows that rescue dogs can be more fearful than non-rescue dogs. The canines that arrive in shelters have significantly different life experiences compared to pets living in loving homes.

While many shelters offer adequate living conditions, stressors can cause physiological and behavioual issues, like floor licking, repetitive jumping, skin disorders and other similar conditions. More severe behavioural problems, like separation anxiety, excessively high energy, destructiveness, fearfulness, and aggression, can also manifest over time.

These issues have perfectly valid explanations and are rarely the dog’s fault. For example, separation anxiety can usually develop due to abuse, trauma, or abandonment. However, a dog with health or behavioral problems is less likely to get adopted. If they do, they have a higher chance of getting rehomed or returned to the shelter.

Paws at Peace – Strategies to Calm Your Canine

Oftentimes, undesirable behaviours come from chronic fear and anxiety. Managing these with compassion and understanding is the key. These three strategies can help you deal with canine stress more productively.

Following a Routine

Fear and stress often stem from a barrage of unpredictable situations. Creating a schedule for shelter dogs builds a sense of predictability and safety in their everyday lives. Give them their meals at the same time each day. Take them for walks or playtime on a fixed schedule.

Consistency and routine build trust and take away the fear of the unknown for these dogs. Aside from regular schedules, your actions should also be consistent. Avoid acting erratically or aggressively. Any unexpected behavior could induce fear and mistrust, increasing the dog’s stress and anxiety.

Socialization

Like humans, pups need socialization, too. Exposing them to new people, animals, environments, and situations broadens their perspective and builds confidence. These interactions form their worldview, affecting how they interact with you or other people.

Ideally, you should socialize dogs while they’re young, usually from 3 – 12 weeks. However, many shelter dogs might not have had this opportunity. While it might be more challenging, it’s crucial to give rescue dogs this same experience.

Positive socialization helps them slowly overcome negative associations and replace their fear and stress with more pleasant feelings.

Training

Training helps you teach dogs fun tricks, but it can do so much more. Regular training sessions help dogs develop the skills and judgment to act appropriately in different situations. It teaches obedience and improves communication between dogs and humans.

Aside from teaching commands like “sit” and “stay,” training can also include finding alternatives to aggressive behavior. For example, if a dog shies away from new noises, people, or situations, it could help to give them a treat or a beloved toy to ease them into unfamiliar territory and build positive associations.

Taking Small Steps Towards Healing

Fear-related behaviours are responses to difficult situations and unfamiliar environments. Recognizing these behaviours for what they are allows you to react with understanding and empathy. Healing begins with understanding. With consistency, patience, and compassion, you can create safer environments where anxious dogs can feel secure and confident.

(Jane Marsh is a full-time writer and editor specializing in renewable energy, environmental news, sustainable living, and agriculture. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co)