QUESTION

4

If dogs didn't fight, I would have them all together. But since they fight too often, we find it not safe, so we have to break them down into small groups. We have a large socialization room with doggie door and large outside area with shade and water pools for drinking and lounging. And there's always staff around. But the dogs still sleep and eat in crates for safety reasons.
 

each kennel isolated but with natural light, freedom of access to run in a large penned garden area, a private area away from viewing
 

homely. as close to there previous enviroment as possible given that they were from a home before

someone that cared for the dog in a way that they would for their own, comfort, so no hard bed or chains, warmth, ultimately what is seen and expected of in households raising kids

It depends on the dog and what type of help they are needing. Rehabilitation and recovery mean something different for different personalities, different circumstances, different rehabilitation needs, and different breeds. There is no one ideal environment for every dog. Ideally, there would be a combination of environments that cater to specific needs. Some dogs like to see what is going on and have an open interactive atmosphere, others prefer a safe den feel and are much quieter when they feel safe and away from busy activity. Some dogs like space and the ability to move, others would feel vulnerable and fearful if thrown in a big room with lots of space. True rehabilitation requires a variety of environments for a variety of needs.


It would be a warm environment which avoids cold, clinical walls in material and colouring. A more homely environment which allows the dog to readjust to home life again.
 

Home type environment. Good sound proofing, plenty of space for play and socializing with other dogs. Enrichment toys, agility sets, staff willing to put in time to excercise and socialize each dog every day. Calming music, relaxing smells, personal space not facing other dogs to lower aggression and protective behaviors.
 

The very ideal place would be in a secure home where they feel comfortable, where their state of mind is open to training and learning. A kennel environment is not ideal by any means, we have set up room to simulate a home environment and they can not only have training but also sleep in there for time away from the kennel but ultimately they have to go back to kennel at night.
 

Depends on what the dog is used to. More like a home
 

Two walks per day with toilet opportunities, at least one quarter of the dogs day with human company. A dry warm 'homelike' environment with access to water, a raised bed and toys and enrichment. Background music.
 

One with appropriate mental stimulation but also one that could help reduce stress levels - being quiet probably a key element.


Light, space, comfortable surroundings, more time with human contact


In a home
 

Noise management. Companionship. Comfortable temperature and bedding. Fun activity matched to dog's physical ability. Adequate medical care, better diet and hygiene. Staff who are engaged in dog's welfare and comfort.

Co- housing with other dogs. Opportunities for exercise and play with other dogs and humans.

An ideal environment would have significantly more space to house dogs. The dogs would be in a home-like environment with access to appropriate space to eliminate and dogs would not be able to see each other from their housing.
 

"Rooms" instead of kennels, easy access to the outdoors and designated areas for dogs that are under rehabilitation. Proper training faculty onsite
 

room to run a bit, mental/environmental enrichment, ability to block some visualization between dogs of necessary (especially for reactive, dog aggressive, and anxious dogs). Also ability to separate dogs that need to be in a quieter area.

Room to roam, personal space for dogs to retrieve to, no eye contact between dogs, noise reduced, not concreted ideally tiled, lots of natural light, lots of outings, a playroom for buddies to play
 

lessen the look and feel of an institution, create a calm more home like feeling....the goal is to get them home so mimicking that home setting as best as one can in a shelter environment is essential.
 

quiet area to work with dogs, sound proof area with soothing sounds and lighting to help anxious dogs, safe accommodations for small dogs
 

Home-like environment, not able to hear the other dogs barking
 

supervised play time with other dogs, kennels that dont face each other, sound reducers, kennels that are big enough for dogs to have a bed or somekind of plateform to lay or sit on and get away from waste

It would be more like a home and more social

Make reduction of arousal through environmental management easy, allow for prevention to exposure for known triggers for fear & aggression, and have space & equipment for behavior modification exercises

It would be a home like environment with positive human contact and other contact
 

quiet areas and areas for exercise/training/stimulation. An environment that mimics home more than shelter.
 

Organic...dogs feel comfortable with dirt, grass, trees, Also, space away from other dogs if they have a negative effect on one another...honestly, the best place for most dogs is not a shelter, it's a home with a fenced in back yard...so an environment like that.
 

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.

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.