Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi,

I'm hoping to get feedback about what you're struggling with these days with regard to behavior.  Most people i've spoken to say it's 'dogs with behavior concerns or incompatibilites', but i'm guessing we all  have different definitions for what kind of dog is included in this category. I'd love to hear from you...

What kind of dog tends to be a long stay dog?  Are there any shared characteristics?  

And what are the top reasons you're having a difficult time finding a home for them?


Thank you!!
Tiffany
#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment

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Tiffany Warden
Shelter Manager
Franklin Animal Shelter
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Hi,

So we have 4 or 5 really long stay dogs.  Mostly it's because they don't get along with other animals, whether that's cats or dogs.  At least two are because they require someone who is going to be able to work with their behavioral needs (one is a high energy kelpie with stranger danger and another is person selective).

We do our best to feature these dogs. Those with no bite history get the chance to go on field trips but unfortunately, we're reluctant to send a dog out on a fieldtrip who has a bite history (and yes, I know what the logical next question to that is.) Most of them are older and I don't think that helps their cause any (3 of them are over 7 years old).

It's hard sometimes to step back and remember to push these dogs.  I feel our adoption appointments are guided heavily to newer dogs as those are the dogs fresh in everyone's minds.

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Kirsten Lindsay
Last Chance Ranch
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Tiffany,
As a long term volunteer in my experience the hardest to place dogs are those with what I would call the "triple threat"--those that are felt should be in a home without other dogs,  cats or children. Think about possible homes and how that narrows down their options.  I have seen the term "special adopter" in the past when soliciting homes for these animals--homes where the humans are  well educated in animal behavior,  can anticipate issues and will literally protect them from themselves. They are animal advocates and will go above and beyond and do whatever it takes. I believe "marketing" needs to reflect this..."canine heroes"..."special adopters"..."special needs caregivers"--whatever you need to call them!!
This is certainly the ultimate in match-making and no doubt a lot of work but probably what it will take. 
Lots of counseling and support will be needed.
I have a few of them in my home and I worked it out--lots of stress and work but  it has brought me a great deal of joy!!

Susan Murphy

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susan murphy
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I agree with the other comments so far - the dogs that are "no other animals" and possibly "no kids" tend to be the hardest to place. I'd also add BIG dogs with these requirements. We usually don't have much of an issue with small dogs with these requirements - they might take a little longer than 'normal' for small dogs, but they still go home faster than most big dogs (regardless of the dogs' requirements).

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Erin Dams
Roanoke Valley SPCA
5403396550
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Hi,

Thanks for the replies! Is there anyone out there that feels you do a good job of finding homes for these no cats, no kids, no dogs kind of dog? What have you found that works??

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Tiffany Warden
Shelter Manager
Franklin Animal Shelter
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We recently surveyed our rescued partners at Memphis Animal Services about a number of things, but one of the questions provided some insight that I think would be helpful here. The question was "what type of behavioral issues can you accept into your program (check all that apply)"?

31 respondents answered this particular question, and here are the results with both percentages and how many groups said they would take/consider taking a dog with each type of behavior:
-Severe kennel stress (requires placement with a foster, not placing the dog in boarding to qualify in this category): 48% (15 groups)
-Jumpy/mouthy: 65% (20 groups)
-Food/resource guarding: 39% (12 groups)
-Human avoidant/feral: 26% (8 groups)
-Dog aggression/reactivity: 6% (2 groups)
-Severe bite history/killing another animal: 10% (3 groups)
-Minor bite history to another animal: 32% (10 groups)
-Minor bite history to a human: 32% (10 groups)
-None of the above: 10% (3 groups)
-Other/comments: 1. taken on a case by case basis. Depends on severity and circumstances. 2. Some aggressive behavior/reactivity with dogs or humans without bite history, but I need to evaluate before I commit. 3. If a dog has killed a stray cat or chickens etc we have considered accepting. 4. All are case by case, the more info the better.

So the one category the fewest groups could work with was dog aggression/reactivity.

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Katie Pemberton
Memphis Animal Services
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Thanks for the idea, this would be a great survey for our transfer partners to complete!

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Jenny Miller
Maui Humane Society
808 877-3680
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-11-2022 01:47 PM
From: Katie Pemberton
Subject: Who are your most challenging dogs to find homes for?

We recently surveyed our rescued partners at Memphis Animal Services about a number of things, but one of the questions provided some insight that I think would be helpful here. The question was "what type of behavioral issues can you accept into your program (check all that apply)"?

31 respondents answered this particular question, and here are the results with both percentages and how many groups said they would take/consider taking a dog with each type of behavior:
-Severe kennel stress (requires placement with a foster, not placing the dog in boarding to qualify in this category): 48% (15 groups)
-Jumpy/mouthy: 65% (20 groups)
-Food/resource guarding: 39% (12 groups)
-Human avoidant/feral: 26% (8 groups)
-Dog aggression/reactivity: 6% (2 groups)
-Severe bite history/killing another animal: 10% (3 groups)
-Minor bite history to another animal: 32% (10 groups)
-Minor bite history to a human: 32% (10 groups)
-None of the above: 10% (3 groups)
-Other/comments: 1. taken on a case by case basis. Depends on severity and circumstances. 2. Some aggressive behavior/reactivity with dogs or humans without bite history, but I need to evaluate before I commit. 3. If a dog has killed a stray cat or chickens etc we have considered accepting. 4. All are case by case, the more info the better.

So the one category the fewest groups could work with was dog aggression/reactivity.

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Katie Pemberton
Memphis Animal Services
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Here is the link to our survey if you want to see all the questions we asked!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CJBM5WQ

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Katie Pemberton
Memphis Animal Services
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-11-2022 10:13 PM
From: Jenny Miller
Subject: Who are your most challenging dogs to find homes for?

Thanks for the idea, this would be a great survey for our transfer partners to complete!

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Jenny Miller
Maui Humane Society
808 877-3680
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 12-11-2022 01:47 PM
From: Katie Pemberton
Subject: Who are your most challenging dogs to find homes for?

We recently surveyed our rescued partners at Memphis Animal Services about a number of things, but one of the questions provided some insight that I think would be helpful here. The question was "what type of behavioral issues can you accept into your program (check all that apply)"?

31 respondents answered this particular question, and here are the results with both percentages and how many groups said they would take/consider taking a dog with each type of behavior:
-Severe kennel stress (requires placement with a foster, not placing the dog in boarding to qualify in this category): 48% (15 groups)
-Jumpy/mouthy: 65% (20 groups)
-Food/resource guarding: 39% (12 groups)
-Human avoidant/feral: 26% (8 groups)
-Dog aggression/reactivity: 6% (2 groups)
-Severe bite history/killing another animal: 10% (3 groups)
-Minor bite history to another animal: 32% (10 groups)
-Minor bite history to a human: 32% (10 groups)
-None of the above: 10% (3 groups)
-Other/comments: 1. taken on a case by case basis. Depends on severity and circumstances. 2. Some aggressive behavior/reactivity with dogs or humans without bite history, but I need to evaluate before I commit. 3. If a dog has killed a stray cat or chickens etc we have considered accepting. 4. All are case by case, the more info the better.

So the one category the fewest groups could work with was dog aggression/reactivity.

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Katie Pemberton
Memphis Animal Services

This is such a cool idea, Katie!

I think what is a little bit nerve wracking for me both in practice and in these comments is the labels that we use.
I love that your survey is really clear about "history of" a behavioral action.  I think we easily and naturally pathologize a lot of behaviors without contextualizing - and this cuts off pathways. For these purposes - transfer to other groups - the receiving group is often driving the conversation about what they can handle. "Are they good in playgroup?" somehow means "are they good with other dogs?" When we all know being good in playgroup is very based on how the animal is responding to the sheltering environment and it's not at all predictive of how they will behave in a different environment (positively or negatively).

That leads me to tack on a question: anybody feel like they're entire organization is good at not extrapolating or pathologizing observed behavior?  If so, how'd you do it??

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Emily Wood
Director
Broward County Animal Care
Fort Lauderdale FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-11-2022 01:47 PM
From: Katie Pemberton
Subject: Who are your most challenging dogs to find homes for?

We recently surveyed our rescued partners at Memphis Animal Services about a number of things, but one of the questions provided some insight that I think would be helpful here. The question was "what type of behavioral issues can you accept into your program (check all that apply)"?

31 respondents answered this particular question, and here are the results with both percentages and how many groups said they would take/consider taking a dog with each type of behavior:
-Severe kennel stress (requires placement with a foster, not placing the dog in boarding to qualify in this category): 48% (15 groups)
-Jumpy/mouthy: 65% (20 groups)
-Food/resource guarding: 39% (12 groups)
-Human avoidant/feral: 26% (8 groups)
-Dog aggression/reactivity: 6% (2 groups)
-Severe bite history/killing another animal: 10% (3 groups)
-Minor bite history to another animal: 32% (10 groups)
-Minor bite history to a human: 32% (10 groups)
-None of the above: 10% (3 groups)
-Other/comments: 1. taken on a case by case basis. Depends on severity and circumstances. 2. Some aggressive behavior/reactivity with dogs or humans without bite history, but I need to evaluate before I commit. 3. If a dog has killed a stray cat or chickens etc we have considered accepting. 4. All are case by case, the more info the better.

So the one category the fewest groups could work with was dog aggression/reactivity.

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Katie Pemberton
Memphis Animal Services
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