abandoned dogs

 Unfortunately, dogs are often abandoned. The fate of abandoned dogs is unenviable: they cannot survive on the street on their own, most of them die under the wheels of cars, from cold and hunger, and also from human cruelty. Why do people abandon dogs and what is the fate of unfortunate animals?In the photo: an abandoned dog in a shelter

Why are dogs abandoned?

In Belarus, no research has been conducted on why dogs are abandoned. However, in other countries, scientists have studied this issue. For example, in the United States, a study of the reasons why people abandon dogs was conducted in 1998. Scientists have identified 71 reasons why owners abandon their pets. But 14 reasons were mentioned most often.

 However, in each case there is insufficient mutual understanding between the owner and the dog. Even if a dog is abandoned due to a move, as a rule, this is a dog that was previously dissatisfied – after all, the owner will take his beloved dog with him or put him in good hands. 

The fate of the abandoned dog

What happens to abandoned dogs and what fate awaits them? People who abandon dogs rarely think about it. But it would be worth it. When a dog is left without a beloved owner in a strange place (even if it is a shelter, not a street), it loses its “safety base”. The animal sits motionless, explores the environment less and tries to call the owner with a howl or bark, tries to find him or break out if he is locked in a confined space.

Severe stress leads to problems with the intellect. The dog may forget commands for a while or have poor orientation in the environment.

Abandoned dogs go through 3 stages of mourning:

1. Protest.
2. Despair.
3. Suspension.

 Stress leads to a decrease in the dog’s immunity, stomach ulcers and a deterioration in the quality of the coat. Stomach pain and anxiety cause animals to chew or eat inedible objects, which reduces pain but further aggravates health problems. As a result of indigestion, uncleanliness develops. This habit can be eradicated only when the dog falls into good hands, and not everyone decides to adopt a dog with such problems – and a vicious circle turns out. competently take care of her, or find new caring owners. Otherwise, alas, her fate is unenviable – wanderings that end very sadly, or life locked up.In the photo: abandoned dogs in a shelter 

How to help an abandoned dog?

Research on sheltered dogs has shown that the stress hormone cortisol is constantly elevated. But if you start walking the dog for at least 45 minutes from the first day, then on the third day cortisol stops rising, which means that the dog has a chance to cope with stress. A good sign that the dog is getting used to the shelter is that she crawls out of the booth and climbs into it, the dog’s ears, tail and head are raised. Employees of American shelters note that a similar condition is typical for dogs 48 to 96 hours after entering the shelter.

As for a new home, it is easiest for a dog to get used to it if it lives in an open-air cage on the street or, conversely, in the master bedroom.

The first option prevents the dog from doing much damage to the property of the new owners, which means that he is less pressured, less likely to be abandoned again and he can rest better. The advantages of the second option are faster and easier formation of attachment to new owners, which correction of behavior is more possible, despite the risk of damage to property and the manifestation of behavioral problems. If the dog is settled in the kitchen or corridor and is not allowed to enter the bedroom, then, unfortunately, the likelihood of re-refusal of it is greatly increased. All this must be taken into account if you decided to take the dog, which was abandoned by the previous owner.In the photo: an abandoned dog in a shelter