Question 1

Adopting undersocialized dogs

Cristina Pagnucco · Accepted Answer

Bringing a dog into your home, especially one from a hoarding situation or with little socialization, is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can come with its own unique challenges. Dogs from these situations can take more time and patience. They may need to learn how to live in the house, get used to new people and learn to trust and feel safe in their new surroundings. These tips will help you understand what to expect, how to support your new dog through this transition, and how to set them up for success in your home.

What to Expect

Indoors

These dogs have likely lived outdoors their entire life or most of their life so they will need to learn how to live in a house. For example, they may not know where to go to the bathroom, so house training is essential. The good news is they may prefer to relieve themselves on dirt or grass because of what they were used to, which can make house training easier. Keep a regular schedule for bathroom breaks and give a treat every time you take your dog out will help them learn quickly where to go. Managing your dog in one area while they work on house training will help avoid them going to the bathroom in different areas in the house.

Socialization

These dogs may not be used to meeting new people or other animals. Introductions should be slow, done with patience and empathy. Give them time to adjust to new faces and environments. Giving them a treat when they meet someone new or when something scary happens will help them learn people, places and situations means something good is going to happen. Use of baby gates and leashes to keep everyone safe is essential.

Furniture

Some of these dogs liked to jump on dog houses in their previous environment, this would have been fun and a way for them to see things. In a house they may not understand the couch or kitchen table is for humans. Because they are not familiar with furniture, they may use it like a doghouse and jump up to see things. With patience, and training, they can learn not to jump on things they shouldn’t. If they get up on your furniture, lure them down with a treat, ask them to sit and give them a treat. They’ll learn quickly sitting gets them a treat and on the furniture gets them nothing. Teaching them sit on a mat or bed will also help show them where to sit and lie down.

Fear and Nervousness

Many unsocialized dogs and dogs from hoarding situations are nervous around new things like unfamiliar people, cars, stairs, or even the sound of a vacuum cleaner. This is because they haven’t had the socialization we recommend for all puppies (3 – 14 weeks) where they learn about different sounds, people, objects and situations. Let these dogs explore at their own pace, go slow, while using positive reinforcement to build trust and help them feel safe. Use really tasty treats!

Nervous about being touched

Handling, such as grooming or putting on a collar or harness, may be unfamiliar and scary for them. Use treats and go slowly when touching them to help build trust and so they learn touching is safe, fun and rewarding. Start first with getting them comfortable with being handled in those areas before using walking and grooming equipment.

Learning to be alone

Undersocialized dogs and dogs from hoarding situations may never have lived alone or without another dog and may experience separation anxiety. To help a new dog start by leaving them alone for a few minutes at a time and gradually increase the alone time. Give them toys or puzzles to keep them occupied while you’re away and ensure they have gone to the washroom prior to leaving. Never use a crate for a dog that is distressed by being alone. Crating protects your property but doesn’t change your dog’s emotional distress. Contact an AnimalKind trainer to support you and your new dog if they are distressed by being alone.

How to Help Your Dog Settle In

Create a safe space

Set up a quiet area in your home where your dog can go if they feel overwhelmed. A crate or a cozy corner with a soft bed can help them feel secure, it can be the no touch or no bother area for visitors, kids, etc. This will help your dog feel safe.

House training

Take your dog outside frequently, and stay with them while they go
Pick a quiet regular spot for them to go (so it becomes familiar),
Take treats with you every time they go out,
Praise and give treat for going in spot,
Do this work consistently for 3 weeks,
Don’t leave them unsupervised when you’re not home.House training an adult dog is like training a puppy. Be patient and consistent. Don’t punish for accidents in the house, reward (treat they love) for going outside – make it worth it for them!

Leash training

Start leash training with short, easy walks in a quiet area, try and pick low traffic areas and slower times of the day so they don’t get overwhelmed. Remember they are getting used to the new area, sounds, people, etc. Use high value treats! Help them learn the area is safe by giving treats when walking, toss the treats to encourage them to move forward. Your first walks may be short and only to the end of the block, go slow and they’ll progress. A harness is more comfortable than a collar, for fearful dogs it’s best to have both a collar and harness. Connect them for safety if you think your dog will try to get out of the collar and/or harness.

Introducing People and Pets

Let your dog meet new people and pets slowly. Don’t force interactions. Use the 3 second rule - keep the ‘hello’ to 3 seconds and then move on. They may not be ready for a dog park at this stage so wait until they’re comfortable with the neighbourhood, your routine, and you learn more about them. Give them time to get comfortable on their own terms and it’s ok if they don’t want dog friends. Use high value treats and go slow!

Bonding

Always use treats, praise, and gentle affection to reinforce the behaviour you want. Never use harsh physical or verbal corrections, this will affect trust and the bond you are trying to build with your dog. You love them, and they’re learning to trust and love you. Positive reinforcement, patience, and empathy helps build positive associations and trust.

Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation

Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and safe walks can help your dog reduce stress and stay mentally engaged. Giving them a job to do, such as scent work or simple training exercises, can also help them adjust. Try a few different activities to see what your dog prefers.

Alone time

Teach them it’s ok to be alone by providing a safe and cozy environment, fun toys, and some tasty treats to keep them busy when you leave.

Anxiety-Reducing Medications

Some dogs may be on anxiety-reducing medications to help them adapt to the changes they experience coming into an animal centre and for the transition to their new home. These medications help them feel more relaxed so they can learn and adjust. If your dog is on anxiety-reducing medication, we will provide you with guidance and behaviour modification plans to help with their ongoing progress. For more information on anxiety-reducing medication please speak to your veterinarian.

Behaviour Modification

Helping dogs adjust through behaviour modification is important, especially for those coming from hoarding situations or where they lived in isolation with no socialization. Behaviour modification involves using techniques based on learning principles, like positive reinforcement, desensitization, and counterconditioning, to change a dog’s behaviour. The focus is on encouraging desired behaviours and gradually reducing unwanted ones. While some dogs may settle in quickly, others might need extra help to feel comfortable with new places and people. By using these techniques, like positive reinforcement—which means rewarding wanted behaviour—we can help these dogs feel safe, build trust, and learn better ways to respond to the world around them. This process is done slowly, in small steps, so a dog doesn’t feel overwhelmed. With anxiety-reducing medications prescribed by a veterinarian, along with patience, kindness, and help from AnimalKind trainers, these dogs can learn to trust and thrive in their new, loving home.

Additional Resources:

Question 2

Adopting undersocialized dogs

Cristina Pagnucco · Accepted Answer

Bringing a dog into your home, especially one from a hoarding situation or with little socialization, is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can come with its own unique challenges. Dogs from these situations can take more time and patience. They may need to learn how to live in the house, get used to new people and learn to trust and feel safe in their new surroundings. These tips will help you understand what to expect, how to support your new dog through this transition, and how to set them up for success in your home.

What to Expect

Indoors

These dogs have likely lived outdoors their entire life or most of their life so they will need to learn how to live in a house. For example, they may not know where to go to the bathroom, so house training is essential. The good news is they may prefer to relieve themselves on dirt or grass because of what they were used to, which can make house training easier. Keep a regular schedule for bathroom breaks and give a treat every time you take your dog out will help them learn quickly where to go. Managing your dog in one area while they work on house training will help avoid them going to the bathroom in different areas in the house.

Socialization

These dogs may not be used to meeting new people or other animals. Introductions should be slow, done with patience and empathy. Give them time to adjust to new faces and environments. Giving them a treat when they meet someone new or when something scary happens will help them learn people, places and situations means something good is going to happen. Use of baby gates and leashes to keep everyone safe is essential.

Furniture

Some of these dogs liked to jump on dog houses in their previous environment, this would have been fun and a way for them to see things. In a house they may not understand the couch or kitchen table is for humans. Because they are not familiar with furniture, they may use it like a doghouse and jump up to see things. With patience, and training, they can learn not to jump on things they shouldn’t. If they get up on your furniture, lure them down with a treat, ask them to sit and give them a treat. They’ll learn quickly sitting gets them a treat and on the furniture gets them nothing. Teaching them sit on a mat or bed will also help show them where to sit and lie down.

Fear and Nervousness

Many unsocialized dogs and dogs from hoarding situations are nervous around new things like unfamiliar people, cars, stairs, or even the sound of a vacuum cleaner. This is because they haven’t had the socialization we recommend for all puppies (3 – 14 weeks) where they learn about different sounds, people, objects and situations. Let these dogs explore at their own pace, go slow, while using positive reinforcement to build trust and help them feel safe. Use really tasty treats!

Nervous about being touched

Handling, such as grooming or putting on a collar or harness, may be unfamiliar and scary for them. Use treats and go slowly when touching them to help build trust and so they learn touching is safe, fun and rewarding. Start first with getting them comfortable with being handled in those areas before using walking and grooming equipment.

Learning to be alone

Undersocialized dogs and dogs from hoarding situations may never have lived alone or without another dog and may experience separation anxiety. To help a new dog start by leaving them alone for a few minutes at a time and gradually increase the alone time. Give them toys or puzzles to keep them occupied while you’re away and ensure they have gone to the washroom prior to leaving. Never use a crate for a dog that is distressed by being alone. Crating protects your property but doesn’t change your dog’s emotional distress. Contact an AnimalKind trainer to support you and your new dog if they are distressed by being alone.

How to Help Your Dog Settle In

Create a safe space

Set up a quiet area in your home where your dog can go if they feel overwhelmed. A crate or a cozy corner with a soft bed can help them feel secure, it can be the no touch or no bother area for visitors, kids, etc. This will help your dog feel safe.

House training

Take your dog outside frequently, and stay with them while they go
Pick a quiet regular spot for them to go (so it becomes familiar),
Take treats with you every time they go out,
Praise and give treat for going in spot,
Do this work consistently for 3 weeks,
Don’t leave them unsupervised when you’re not home.House training an adult dog is like training a puppy. Be patient and consistent. Don’t punish for accidents in the house, reward (treat they love) for going outside – make it worth it for them!

Leash training

Start leash training with short, easy walks in a quiet area, try and pick low traffic areas and slower times of the day so they don’t get overwhelmed. Remember they are getting used to the new area, sounds, people, etc. Use high value treats! Help them learn the area is safe by giving treats when walking, toss the treats to encourage them to move forward. Your first walks may be short and only to the end of the block, go slow and they’ll progress. A harness is more comfortable than a collar, for fearful dogs it’s best to have both a collar and harness. Connect them for safety if you think your dog will try to get out of the collar and/or harness.

Introducing People and Pets

Let your dog meet new people and pets slowly. Don’t force interactions. Use the 3 second rule - keep the ‘hello’ to 3 seconds and then move on. They may not be ready for a dog park at this stage so wait until they’re comfortable with the neighbourhood, your routine, and you learn more about them. Give them time to get comfortable on their own terms and it’s ok if they don’t want dog friends. Use high value treats and go slow!

Bonding

Always use treats, praise, and gentle affection to reinforce the behaviour you want. Never use harsh physical or verbal corrections, this will affect trust and the bond you are trying to build with your dog. You love them, and they’re learning to trust and love you. Positive reinforcement, patience, and empathy helps build positive associations and trust.

Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation

Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and safe walks can help your dog reduce stress and stay mentally engaged. Giving them a job to do, such as scent work or simple training exercises, can also help them adjust. Try a few different activities to see what your dog prefers.

Alone time

Teach them it’s ok to be alone by providing a safe and cozy environment, fun toys, and some tasty treats to keep them busy when you leave.

Anxiety-Reducing Medications

Some dogs may be on anxiety-reducing medications to help them adapt to the changes they experience coming into an animal centre and for the transition to their new home. These medications help them feel more relaxed so they can learn and adjust. If your dog is on anxiety-reducing medication, we will provide you with guidance and behaviour modification plans to help with their ongoing progress. For more information on anxiety-reducing medication please speak to your veterinarian.

Behaviour Modification

Helping dogs adjust through behaviour modification is important, especially for those coming from hoarding situations or where they lived in isolation with no socialization. Behaviour modification involves using techniques based on learning principles, like positive reinforcement, desensitization, and counterconditioning, to change a dog’s behaviour. The focus is on encouraging desired behaviours and gradually reducing unwanted ones. While some dogs may settle in quickly, others might need extra help to feel comfortable with new places and people. By using these techniques, like positive reinforcement—which means rewarding wanted behaviour—we can help these dogs feel safe, build trust, and learn better ways to respond to the world around them. This process is done slowly, in small steps, so a dog doesn’t feel overwhelmed. With anxiety-reducing medications prescribed by a veterinarian, along with patience, kindness, and help from AnimalKind trainers, these dogs can learn to trust and thrive in their new, loving home.

Additional Resources:

Animal Helpline: 1-855-622-7722

Animal Helpline:

1-855-622-7722

Find a BC SPCA location in your area:

Adopting undersocialized dogs

Adopting undersocialized dogs

What to Expect

Indoors

Socialization

Furniture

Fear and Nervousness

Nervous about being touched

Learning to be alone

How to Help Your Dog Settle In

Create a safe space

House training

Leash training

Introducing People and Pets

Bonding

Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation

Alone time

Anxiety-Reducing Medications

Behaviour Modification