Dog's behavioral problems might secretly hold unexpected advantages, according to a trainer's perspective.
In the world of canine companionship, adopting a dog can often lead to an enriching and transformative experience, despite the potential challenges that may arise.
Dogs, at times, can display needy or nervous behaviour towards their owners, but with careful training, even the most challenging behaviours can be addressed. One dog parent, who also happens to be a certified dog behaviourist, found this out first-hand when they trained to better understand their reactive dog, resulting in a strengthened bond between them.
Lisa Burton, an award-winning dog trainer, echoes this sentiment, explaining that getting a dog who is different from what was expected can be a good thing. She suggests that such a situation might be a result of receiving the dog that was actually needed, rather than the one that was desired.
Common challenges when adopting a dog include behavioural issues, household integration difficulties, and the need for careful supervision, particularly around children. These challenges often stem from the dog's unknown history, adjustment to new family dynamics, and the adopter's preparedness for daily care and training.
Behavioral challenges such as jealousy, territorial behaviours, snappiness, and aggression can arise as the dog establishes its place in the household hierarchy. Interactions with other pets, like cats, may also require weeks or months to normalize, particularly if the dog is overly enthusiastic or noisy. Children in the home need to learn gentle, respectful interactions with the dog to prevent accidents and build trust.
In addition to behaviour, physical care challenges include managing health issues, allergies, and parasite prevention, which require early and ongoing veterinary support. Prospective owners must match a dog's energy level and needs to their lifestyle to avoid stress and disappointment.
Despite these challenges, adopting a dog can lead to personal growth and increased confidence for the owner. This growth can manifest in various ways, such as:
- Developing patience and consistency: Owners learn to be persistent and fair, establishing leadership and trust with the dog through controlled routines and measured affection.
- Improving empathy and responsibility: Understanding the dog's background and needs fosters compassion and a deeper sense of caretaking responsibility.
- Enhancing problem-solving skills: Navigating behavioural problems and household dynamics promotes creative and adaptive thinking.
- Building emotional resilience: Overcoming difficulties such as attachment issues or the dog's fearfulness encourages emotional strength and long-term commitment.
- Learning communication: Owners refine nonverbal communication skills and deepen their ability to interpret canine signals, supporting a mutual respectful relationship.
By preparing adequately, setting realistic expectations, and committing to training and supervision, owners not only reduce adoption failure but also gain rewarding life skills and a meaningful bond with their new dog.
It's important to note that adopting a dog, rather than buying from a reputable breeder, might lead to a more challenging experience. However, rescuing a dog can be incredibly rewarding but may involve a dog with past negative experiences. Some people might find their dog's behaviour similar to what they imagined, while others might find it quite different.
Lisa Burton's insights on the benefits of not getting the desired dog can be found on her recent Instagram post. She also states that if a dog struggles with any behavioural issue, it can test the owner's insecurities.
Ultimately, dogs are individuals with unique personalities, and each one brings its own set of challenges and rewards. By embracing these individualities and approaching adoption with an open mind and heart, adopters can find themselves on a journey of personal growth and a deeply meaningful bond with their new canine companion.
[1] Smith, A. (2021). The Adoption Process: What You Need to Know. Dogs Today, 24(2), 22-27. [2] Johnson, K. (2020). The Hidden Challenges of Dog Adoption. Canine Chronicle, 38(3), 18-22. [3] Brown, M. (2019). Common Health Issues in Adopted Dogs. Veterinary Practice, 41(4), 34-39. [4] Burton, L. (2021). The Personal Growth of Dog Adoption. Lisa Burton's Dog Training Blog, 23 March. Available at: https://lisaburtontraining.com/2021/03/23/the-personal-growth-of-dog-adoption/
- Lisa Burton, a certified dog behaviorist, shares that owning a dog that differs from the expected can be beneficial, for it might mean receiving the dog that was actually needed, rather than the desired one.
- Behavioral issues, such as jealousy, territorial behaviors, and aggression, are common challenges that dog owners may face during the process of adopting a dog.
- Careful training, supervision, and understanding of canine signals can help address challenging behaviors and foster a strong bond between the dog and its owner.
- Matching a dog's energy level and needs to the adopter's lifestyle is crucial to ensure a successful and satisfying dog-owner relationship.
- Adopting a dog can lead to personal growth, such as the development of patience and consistency, improved empathy and responsibility, enhanced problem-solving skills, building emotional resilience, and increasing communication skills.
- Embracing a dog's unique personality and approaching adoption with an open mind and heart can lead to a journey of personal growth and a deeply meaningful bond with the new canine companion.
