The First Steps

The question ROLDA receives from every adopter is “How do I best prepare for a ROLDA dog coming into my home?”

ROLDA conducted an interview with Paul D, an expert dog behaviorist in the UK with 26 years of experience – 7 of which in rehabilitating homeless dogs from overseas – to create a series of articles answering just that very question.

I. Understand your dog

The first step is to understand the variable nature of dogs adopted from the streets. Tragically, many dogs ROLDA rescues have been abandoned by owners who can no longer afford to keep them. However, the experience these dogs have of a domestic environment can make them likelier to readapt to life at home. On the other hand, some dogs have been born, raised, and lived their entire lives in the wild – “street dogs” – that’s behaviourally more complex.

Paul: “I love street dogs as they’re very aware of what they are – they know they’re a dog and have a very natural way of being”.

II. Be prepared

Street dogs are not guaranteed to have behavioural problems and abandoned pets are not guaranteed to be without. Like people, dogs have a broad spectrum of personalities – it is vital to understand this and be prepared for a range of positive and negative behaviors. It is not how a dog came to be homeless but their experiences in the wild that mold their temperament. For example, many dogs will continue to display survivalist behavior such as hoarding/guarding food and retreating to positions of safety (under a table/bed, etc.) in times of stress.

So, how do I best prepare and handle a Romanian dog coming into my home?
It requires patience and a balance of compassion of discipline. Dogs who’ve spent substantial time in the wild need both a firm and caring hand to settle in a new home.

III. Be balanced

Paul: “The mistake a lot of people make is feeling like they’ve rescued a dog from a truly awful life and should be showered with affection and doted upon. This may be true, but many people ‘overcompensate’ and mollycoddle their new pets without establishing the boundaries and structure dogs need to feel comfortable in their new home”.

It’s absolutely understandable people feel this way – it’s why people adopt – to take a dog away from a miserable life and give one filled with love. However, some dogs need to learn how to be loved.

IV. The first 2 weeks are the key

The first 2 weeks are key for new adoptees in understanding their new surroundings and what behavior is expected of them. Street dogs are canny creatures – they are used to having to fight for food and shelter – adopters must realize they are introducing a dog to an entirely different way of life than to which they are accustomed. This obviously must be done with care and patience, but adopters must assert themselves when problematic behavior when new dogs enter the home. Otherwise, street dogs will perceive no reason to change and the problematic behavior will continue.

Tip! A good guide is to picture the domestic situation with your dog in 6 months, the conditions that you imagine should be the same conditions to which the dog is first exposed: start as you mean to go on.

V. New normal: education and respecting routine

Adoptees must learn what constitutes their new normal. This is achieved by treating street dogs like any other dog but with added care and patience – allowing them to observe normal behavior and what makes up an average day. A rigid routine is not necessary or desirable. Dogs will begin to expect certain things at certain times and deviation from that routine can instill anxiety and ‘pushiness’. Dogs do best in structured but flexible environments and routines.

VI. Fight his stress with your patience

Some dogs will initially be very nervous or fearful and this behavior should not be overly indulged. Obviously, encourage and praise your pet but do not give them the opportunity to flee/hide from stress factors – it’s not helping them. Whilst patience is key – your dog will have arrived after a very long and stressful journey – and adoptees must be given time to adjust; problematic behavior must be tackled as soon as possible.

For instance, the stress of adoption and an unfamiliar environment will trigger a dog’s flight/fight response: either the dog will retreat to a position of safety and cower or will raise their heckles and prepare for confrontation. In either case, the dog must be treated gently and firmly – dogs are only acting in the way they best feel makes them safe and must learn they’re safe without hiding or fighting.

VII. Be a leader

New owners must approach dogs displaying this behavior gradually but confidently; backing down will affirm that the dog’s behavior is acceptable and disincentivize change. Stand your ground even should a dog cry, growl, or snap.

This demonstrates to the dog that they cannot manipulate you with their behavior and the survival techniques they learned in the wild are no longer necessary to feel safe. Within two weeks, all adoptees should be fully inducted into the rules of their new home and very importantly: to happily accept a leash.

ROLDA trains all adoptees in taking and walking with a leash, but it is something dogs will only get used to over time.