Integration Ability of Stray Dogs into Adoptive Families Environment: Preliminary Results

Introduction
Several researches investigated post-adoption period of shelter dogs in terms of inte- gration into the new home and behavioral problems encountered by new owners (1,2,3). the most common behavior problems displayed by shelter dogs are suggested as fearfulness, escaping, sexual problems, excessive activity and barking (1,3). However, up till now no detailed investigation has been conducted on post adoption period of stray dogs.

The aim of this study was to identify behavioral characteristics of stray dogs in adoptive families’ environment during post adoption period.

Materials and Methods
The data were obtained from 25 item questionnaires completed by volunteer owners of stray dogs, i.e. the dog of an unknown breed was found loose on the street. fifty five people responded to the questionnaire up until the present.

Results
The vast majority of respondents (75 %) reported that their dogs showed timidity when they first came home. Large majority of the owners (80 %), however, stated that temper- aments of their dogs have changed throughout post adoption period, mostly in the first 6 months (73 %). Seventy five percent of the dogs were reported as becoming more self-confident. the most common behavior problems currently present in the dogs were indicated as hyper attachment to the owner (40 %), escaping (36 %), barking (22 %) and fearfulness (18 %). Majority of the owners reported that they did not have a trouble either in house training (75 %) or in leash training (69 %).

Discussion
Preliminary findings indicate that although majority of stray dogs tend to display behavior problems at the beginning of post adoption period, they show considerable improvements in their behaviors in a timely manner. Considering the preliminary results of the study, it can be suggested that stray dogs are highly adaptable to live in adoptive families’ environment.