Today I received the twenty ninth response to my questionnaire. Please see below:
Q1: What is your occupation?
Deputy Manager Of Dog Welfare
Q2: How do you believe current dog shelter designs affect dog behaviour - Positively / Negatively / No affect? Please state your reason for your choice.
Both, some have been designed well to reduce noise levels and public access but the dog is still kennelled and therefore cannot be fully content and behaviour will be altered due to the impact of being in such an environment.
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?
It entirely depends on the shelter. Many have rehabilitation programmes to work with dogs that need extra help. They are not necessarily aggressive dogs and shelters do not usually cause aggression in a dog that hasn't already got some degree of this behaviour
Q4: How would you describe an 'ideal' environment for dog rehabilitation? What key elements would it have?
Ideally set carers to oversee the dogs stay at the shelter. A quite kennel block with less 'inmates' and the correct training for both staff and dog.
Q5: What do you believe are the best methods for dog rehabilitation?
Each dog is an individual and different methods will suit different dogs.
Q6: Alongside rehabilitation methods, to what extent do you believe architecture has a role in rehabilitation?
Not important at all
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?
I think it is true to say that pleasant scenery is better than other dog kennels
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'.
Respondent skipped this question
Q10: Do you believe there needs to be more Rehabilitation Centres of this nature?
Many animal shelters do have provision for rehabilitation of their animals. Unsure what is meant by a rehabilitation centre.
(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].)