Before I start on different behavioral issues a dog can have, let me state that dogs are about the most forgiving animals we've domesticated. If you adopt and want to know the back story of what happened to your dog, please don't get caught up in it. It doesn't help you or your new dog.
The thing is? He or she doesn't care?! YES they act a certain way because some mean person did something. YES they don't trust because they've been dump alongside a road and never knew what a home was. BUT all that is in the past. Let it go!
It's YOUR job to show your new friend that YOU can love, YOU can give shelter, YOU can keep him/her warm, YOU are a wonderful human capable of providing a most loving home.
Dogs are called shy, fearful, aggressive, darter, runner, etc but whatever they may be called, the following are behaviors you may have to deal with if you encounter or adopt these dogs:
- SNARL OR BITE - WARNING if this ever happens and a child is nearby, please remove child immediately and always have supervision when child and dog are present in the same room!!! With that said, unfortunately this behavior is out of fear, not true aggression.
- Running away - WARNING any new dog or dog you're newly interacting (babysitting) with should ALWAYS be on a leash. Even if the owners have the dogs trained off leash, until you know it's safe for you, always have a leash. Every dog/human relationship can be different
- jittery/jumpy - they jump at every sound and movement. Sometimes so dramatized they will knock over tables, chairs and ANYTHING on top of them, be it food, drinks....not fun.
- darting eye - they are constantly awake and alert looking left and right and always paying attention, worried something bad is going to happen
- cornering/hiding -
in this I mean cornering themselves. They will find a safe space
(usually a corner) or underneath a structure where there is just one
direction they have to pay attention to and not be as vulnerable
Left was Scruffy hiding in the couch, PJay is our sheltie happy as a clam. What a difference - food aggression - if given a treat or eating food you or any thing/one else walks by, he or she will give off a low soft long growl and their back may be turned to you, but their face and nose is pointed downward frozen over their bowl but eyes know exactly where you are. WARNING: any closer and the dog may lunge and bite!
- whining - it may be pain, anxiety, something that just makes them feel very uncomfortable, or because they have learned this response makes humans stop doing what makes them feel uncomfortable
- they pee all over the floor when approached - when a dog wants to "surrender" they pee because in the doggy world, there is a pheromone in this pee that lets the other know they can be alpha and there is no fight for dominance. Unfortunately, to us humans it's just a mess on the floor or carpet.....again frustrating
- when pulled, tugged or yanked on a leash they will plant their face and body completely on the ground as to lock in and not move
- Walk along fence or building (house)
- roll over and showing belly when approached - this is good! This is the dogs way of showing submission or "surrender", it's an overall healthy reaction
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