Today I received the thirtieth response to my questionnaire. Please see below:
Q1: What is your occupation?
Executive Director of an Animal Welfare Organization.
Q2: How do you believe current dog shelter designs affect dog behaviour - Positively / Negatively / No affect? Please state your reason for your choice.
Depends on the design. Some can help alleviate stress, some contribute to it. However, properly designed animal housing can have a very positive impact on dog behavior.
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?
Absolutely!
Q4: How would you describe an 'ideal' environment for dog rehabilitation? What key elements would it have?
First, the environment should not increase the dog's already elevated level of stress. There should be some sort of visual barriers so dogs do not have to be looking at each other all the time. Ideally, cages and kennels should not be facing each other, if possible. Noise levels are another factor. Acoustics should be considered in order to help decrease the ambient noise levels in housing areas. Acoustic "baffles" can be helpful in this regard, along with acoustic ceiling tiles. The use of "DAP" collars (dog appeasing pheromone) can also be helpful in reducing stress, as can the use of certain pharmaceuticals in extreme cases. Enrichment is also a key factor, and comes in many forms - food dispensing toys are great, as are 'Kongs", instead of just feeding a dog out of a bowl. Most, but not all, dogs will work for their food, and there are many inexpensive ways to accomplish this. Many dogs are also big chewers, so addressing this need also helps address stress. Some dogs love to tear things apart, like stuffed toys. This is another outlet. Having a staff trainer / behaviorist is also great. They can assess the dogs' individual needs and develop a rehab plan designed to address a dog's specific needs. Having a decent sound system to play calming music is also another good idea. In fact, there are products available specifically designed for dogs - "Through a Dog's Ear" is a good example. Adequate exercise is also very important. The ability to take a dog for a walk or to an exercise pen is very beneficial for burning off energy. Dogs who never actually get outside during their stay in a shelter can experience behavior degeneration. Play time with their own kind is incredibly helpful - nobody can exercise a dog like another dog. So forming play groups with dogs who get along can likewise be very helpful.
Q5: What do you believe are the best methods for dog rehabilitation?
Positive rewards / reinforcement training is vital. Anything that involves pain, punishment, or coercion is not ideal and stands a good chance of failing.
Q6: Alongside rehabilitation methods, to what extent do you believe architecture has a role in rehabilitation?
Quite 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?
Absolutely 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'.
Respondent skipped this question
Q10: Do you believe there needs to be more Rehabilitation Centres of this nature?
Absolutely!!
(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].)