If you’ve ever gone through periods of uncertainty, chronic stress, or felt powerless to regain control of your life—especially after experiencing physical or psychological abuse—you may have some idea of what rescue or rehomed dogs go through. While we can never fully know their story, many rescue dogs carry emotional and behavioural scars that reflect a history of survival, fear, and confusion.
Trauma does not always come from abuse. The most common backgrounds include neglect, rehoming due to life changes, chronic stress, lack of early education, limited exposure to stimuli and poor socialisation. Rescue dogs may show behaviours like fear of humans and/or dogs, hypervigilance, excessive barking or even complete shutdown. These are not signs of a “bad dog,” but rather symptoms of deep emotional wounds.
Being unable to control any part of their life, dogs rely on behaviours that are available to them under certain circumstances. That is why it is important to understand Why behind the What. In other words, if we want to help our dog, we should address the underlying emotions and change the circumstances that trigger the unwanted behaviour. It is important to note that obedience training is often unhelpful in these cases. When we are stressed, we all fall back on familiar habits—and stress inhibits the brain’s ability to learn new behaviours.
Frequent changes in environment can leave lasting emotional imprints. Providing a safe haven and giving a rescue dog agency—the ability to make choices—is one of the first steps toward healing. Our aim should be to view the dog through the lens of their lived experience and emotions, and allow them to opt out of situations they find distressing. Supporting a rescue dog requires action in their best interest, taken at their own pace. For a rescue dog, trust isn’t automatic—it has to be earned gently and consistently.
A thorough veterinary examination and consultation with a qualified behaviourist are the best first steps in your journey to rehabilitate your new best friend and family member.
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