For most dogs, being relinquished to an animal shelter is a drastic change and a stressful experience. Even though a shelter may make every effort possible to make a dog’s new shelter home welcoming, it is still often a place where dogs will be confined, separated from their previous families, and exposed to more noise due to the close proximity of other dogs. These environmental changes are very stressful for most dogs. Because of the influence of individual dog personality on behavior, signs of stress can vary. Some dogs will hide in the back of the kennel, be less active or stop eating. Some dogs may behave aggressively in response to stress, while other dogs will begin to perform repetitive behaviors, increase their frequency of barking/vocalization, become destructive, and start to urinate and defecate in their kennel. Stress may also affect a shelter dog’s physical health, causing increased susceptibility to diseases and a longer recovery time from illness.
Identifying Stress
For most dogs, being relinquished to an animal shelter is a drastic change and a stressful experience. Even though a shelter may make every effort possible to make a dog’s new shelter home welcoming, it is still often a place where dogs will be confined, separated from their previous families, and exposed to more noise due to the close proximity of other dogs. These environmental changes are very stressful for most dogs. Because of the influence of individual dog personality on behavior, signs of stress can vary. Some dogs will hide in the back of the kennel, be less active or stop eating. Some dogs may behave aggressively in response to stress, while other dogs will begin to perform repetitive behaviors, increase their frequency of barking/vocalization, become destructive, and start to urinate and defecate in their kennel. Stress may also affect a shelter dog’s physical health, causing increased susceptibility to diseases and a longer recovery time from illness.
Stressed Dog Spinning
This video shows a stressed dog performing repetitive behaviors: frequent jumping up at the bars of his cage and spinning.
Stressed Dog Behaving Aggressively
This video shows a dog demonstrating aggressive behavior toward people who walk by or stop at her kennel. Stress may occasionally cause a normally non-aggressive dog to behave aggressively.
Stressed Dog Shut Down
This video shows a dog who is severely stressed and fearful. The stress that this dog has been exposed to has caused her to ‘shut down’. She responds minimally to everything in her environment; when touched or approached she remains immobile.
Stressed Dog Vocalizing
This video shows a stressed dog panting, vocalizing, and pawing at the cage.