Time with a Person Benefits Fearful Dogs in Shelters
For fearful dogs in shelters, 2x15 minute human interactions per day over 5 days improves scores on a screening test and makes most of them be classed as adoptable. Photo: Lightfield Studios/Shutterstock By Zazie Todd, PhD This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Arriving at a shelter is a stressful experience for any dog . For fearful dogs , being unable to escape from something threatening – such as a person entering the kennel – can cause them to show aggressive behaviour such as growling. New research by Regina Willen (HALO) et al, published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science , shows the effectiveness of an enrichment program in helping such dogs be classed as adoptable. The scientists write, “While fearful dogs in shelters are vulnerable, the vulnerability is not inevitable. Providing relatively brief human interaction in a quiet area with other elements of enrichment (e.g., treats, toys) c...