#170 Reactive Rescue Dogs: The Truth

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Reactivity in rescue dogs is an important topic that potential adopters need to understand before committing to adoption. Rescues often adopt out dogs with reactivity, fear, or aggression without fully disclosing these issues, which can lead to mismatched expectations and lifestyle changes for new owners.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome to the 5-Minute Dog, the mini-podcast
that delivers practical trainingadvice in less than 5 minutes.
Today I want to talk aboutsomething that's not always easy
to bring up, but it's importantReactivity in rescue dogs.
A lot of adopters walk into ashelter or foster situation

(00:29):
hoping to bring home a dog thatthey can take to wineries, to
the park, out with friends, acompanion they can integrate
into their everyday social life.
But here's the thing Rescuesoften adopt out dogs with
reactivity, fear or aggression,and they don't always disclose

(00:50):
it.
And that might be because theydon't want to scare off adopters
, or maybe they just haven'ttaken the time to truly evaluate
the dog in different settings,or maybe they just underestimate
the amount of training andmanagement that will be required
to address the issue.
Either way, reactivity can be aproblem, and owning a reactive

(01:15):
dog can change your lifestyle,and reactivity is usually a
serious training challenge.
It often means barking, lunging, growling at other dogs or
people, difficulty going to busyplaces or having guests over,
needing specialized training,which can be expensive and

(01:37):
time-consuming, and, for someadopters, a major lifestyle
adjustment.
This doesn't mean that reactivedogs aren't worth adopting.
Many of them make amazingcompanions in the right home.
But that is the key in theright home.

(01:57):
So you need to know what you'resigning up for, because
surprises in behavior can leadto frustration, heartbreak or,
at worst, rehoming.
So if you're consideringadoption, here's what you should
ask have you ever seen anysigns of reactivity, fear or
aggression in this dog?

(02:19):
How does this dog respond tonew people, new dogs, new places
?
Have they been tested insituations like busy sidewalks,
meeting visitors or beinghandled at the vet?
And if the rescue can't answerthese questions or brushes them
off, that's a red flag.

(02:40):
This may mean that you'regetting ready to adopt a fearful
or reactive dog, and this maybe fine if that's what you're
looking for.
But if you're looking for thathappy-go-lucky companion that
will integrate easily into yoursocial life, that will enjoy
hanging out with your friendsand one that looks forward to

(03:02):
that day trip to the busy winery, a reactive or anxious dog is
probably not the answer.
So remember, as you meet andgreet shelter and rescue dogs,
ask a lot of questions and don'tbe rushed into a decision.
Adoption is a commitment, sotransparency shouldn't be

(03:24):
optional.