Three Things to Know
A study found that 22% of adopted dogs were returned. Almost 60% were returned due to behavioral problems. However, factors like the owner’s background and the dog’s characteristics didn’t predict which dogs would be returned.
Three main factors influenced adopters’ expectations: the dog’s behavior and health, the connection between the owner and dog, and the responsibilities of dog ownership. Owners who returned their dogs had significantly higher expectations for their dogs’ behavior and the emotional bond. But both returning and non-returning owners had similar views on how much effort dog ownership requires.
Researchers discovered that minor or moderate behavioral issues are common in dogs adopted from shelters. These problems often continued for four months, although owners found training to become easier over time. Since most dogs were returned within two weeks, it seems that owners may have had unrealistic expectations for immediate behavior.
The Full Picture
Millions of pets are adopted from shelters, especially in the United States. Unfortunately, about 15% of these adoptions don’t work out, leading to dogs being returned. This can be stressful for both the dog and the owner.
Past studies showed that behavioral problems are a major reason for returns. Many dogs are returned due to aggression or issues with other pets. Also, unrealistic expectations about dog ownership can play a big role. For example, owners who underestimate the work involved are more likely to return their pets.
The study “Returning a Shelter Dog: The Role of Owner Expectations and Dog Behavior” aims to better understand why people return adopted dogs. Were the relinquishments attributable to undesirable dog behavior, unrealistic owner expectations, or a combination of the two?
Study Methods
Researchers focused on adopters from Charleston Animal Society in South Carolina, an open-admission shelter that accepts all animals regardless of breed, age, or health condition.
Between June and September 2021, 560 dogs were adopted. To collect data, adopters were asked to fill out a baseline questionnaire at the time of adoption, covering demographics and expectations of ownership. Follow-up surveys at two days, two weeks, and four months post-adoption gauged adopters’ perceptions of their dog’s adaptation, expectations versus reality, and satisfaction levels. Lastly, the adopters also completed a mini C-BARQ to assess the dog’s behavior in different areas.
Study Results
Respondents and Returns
In total, 132 people adopted a dog and filled out the initial questionnaire. Fewer people responded to the surveys over time: 58 adopters responded to the two-day survey, 38 to the two-week survey, and 28 to the four-month survey.
Twenty-nine dogs (22%) were returned to the shelter within three months. On average, people kept these dogs for about 8 days before returning them. Most of the dogs were returned because of behavioral problems (58.6%). Other reasons included things like housing issues or not having enough time for the dog (34.5%). Dogs with behavioral problems were returned much sooner than those returned for other reasons.
The study found no significant demographic differences between owners who returned their dogs and those who didn’t. Factors like gender, age, previous dog ownership, as well as the dog’s characteristics didn’t predict returns. This confirms that behavioral issues are the primary reason for returns.
Deep-dive: Owners’ Expectations At Adoption
The study identified three key factors influencing adopters’ expectations: dog behavior and health, the human-dog bond, and owner responsibilities. Returning owners expected their dogs to be well-behaved, friendly with children, and not fearful in new situations. When these expectations weren’t met, it often led to dissatisfaction and returns. Previous research suggests that unmet expectations can harm the human-dog bond.
The study also found a mismatch between expected and actual dog health. Evidence suggests that 50% of adopted dogs experience health problems within the first two weeks of ownership, which can be surprising to new owners. While returning owners prioritized health, no dogs were actually returned due to medical issues.
On the other hand, both returning and non-returning owners understood the time, effort, and financial commitment involved in dog ownership. These findings contrast with previous studies that suggested relinquishing owners underestimated the effort involved in dog ownership, possibly suggesting that adoption counseling helped set realistic expectations.
Deep-dive: Dog Behaviour Post-Adoption
Researchers also examined how dogs behaved after being adopted into new homes, focusing on the frequency and types of behavioral problems reported by owners over the first four months.
Two days after adoption, most owners (65.5%) reported minor behavioral issues, while a smaller group (5.5%) faced moderate problems. Only about 29.1% had no issues at all. Over the next two weeks and four months, these patterns remained relatively consistent. Approximately a third of owners reported no problems, and the rest experienced minor or moderate challenges.
The most common issues identified were nonsocial fear (fear of unfamiliar objects, sounds, or situations) and separation-related behavior. Other relatively frequent behaviors included dog-directed fear and chewing inappropriate objects, while owner-directed and familiar-dog aggression were rare.
Although two-thirds of adopters continued to report minor issues after four months, the study revealed that owners found training difficulties decreased significantly over time. This indicates that dogs became better at following commands and staying focused. However, the short ownership periods of returned dogs may have prevented owners from witnessing these positive changes. This suggests that owners who returned their dogs may have had unrealistic expectations for immediate behavior.
Conclusion
Overall, the study highlights the importance of pre-adoption behavioral assessments and post-adoption support. Behavioral issues, such as training difficulties and fear of unfamiliar things, are common in newly adopted dogs but often improve over time. By setting realistic expectations for early-stage challenges and the time needed for adjustment, we can potentially reduce the number of dogs returned to shelters. Behavioral counseling and support both before and after adoption are also crucial for helping owners manage undesirable behaviors and keep their dogs for the long term.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Shelter Dogs > Improving Rehoming Success > Reducing Adoption Returns
Year of Publication:
2022
External Link:
Powell, L.; Lee, B.; Reinhard, C.L.; Morris, M.; Satriale, D.; Serpell, J.; Watson, B. Returning a Shelter Dog: The Role of Owner Expectations and Dog Behavior. Animals 2022, 12, 1053. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12091053