Today I received the ninth response to my questionnaire. Please see below:
Q1: What is your occupation?
Dog Rehomer
Q2: How do you believe current dog shelter designs affect dog behaviour - Positively / Negatively / No affect? Please state your reason for your choice.
They affect behaviour positively and negatively, eg if the dogs can hear and/or see each other or not or if they have to walk past reactive dogs.
Q3: Do you believe that if given the right environment to rehabilitate, more dogs would be less 'aggressive' in shelters, and have the chance of becoming more adoptable?
I believe the stress levels would be significantly lower which would lead to a decrease in many unwanted behaviours and reduce resulting reactive behaviour.
Q4: How would you describe an 'ideal' environment for dog rehabilitation? What key elements would it have?
One with appropriate mental stimulation but also one that could help reduce stress levels - being quiet probably a key element.
Q5: What do you believe are the best methods for dog rehabilitation?
The methods used by the IMDT
Q6: Alongside rehabilitation methods, to what extent do you believe architecture has a role in rehabilitation?
Extremely Important
Q7: There are numerous examples of calming architecture, designed to calm people dealing with emotional trauma. Elements of this include panoramic views with lots of natural light, sound absorption and the integration of nature / outdoors.Based on your experiences, could this concept of calming architecture have a similar outcome for troubled dogs?
yes
Q8: Are you aware of any Rehabilitation Centres that allow traumatised shelter dogs to recover?
No
Q9: If selected 'Yes' on previous question, please state the name of the Rehabilitation Centre and any additional information regarding their methods. Otherwise, please state 'N/A'.
n/a
Q10: Do you believe there needs to be more Rehabilitation Centres of this nature?
yes
(SurveyMonkey, 1999-2014. SurveyMonkey [online]. Available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/ [Accessed on 9th November 2014]. Published questionnaire available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7PYBVBF [Created on 9th November 2014].)