Here's a picture of Shadow Dawn who I adopted when she was 2 years old❤️
Why Positive Reinforcement Training is Essential for Adopted Dogs
As a positive reinforcement dog trainer, I love training adopted dogs & teaching their humans about their unique training needs so that every adoptive family gets their happily ever after.
It's not that dogs from breeders aren't ever reactive, they certainly are and I work with plenty of them. It's just that shelter dogs often haven't received the best start in life so they need a little extra help.
Dog Adoption Overwhelm (DOA): A Common Experience
Most adopted dogs don't come to you pretrained which often leads to a post-adoption feeling of: “Oh No! What have I done!?” I call this feeling DOA: Dog Adoption Overwhelm and it's often when adopters end up talking to me. I love turning that initial overwhelm into harmony by helping you and your dog find your groove together.
One out of every ten of the approximately 1.6 million dogs adopted each year in the U.S. (about 160,000 dogs annually) are returned to the shelter for so-called “bad” behavior. This includes issues like soiling in the house, excessive barking, chewing furniture, reactivity, hyperactivity and other unwanted behaviors.
The Truth About "Bad" Behavior in Adopted Dogs
Here’s the thing you need to know: these dogs aren’t misbehaved, they're just untrained.
Yup - a staggering 96% of dogs returned to shelters after adoption have received ZERO actual training while in their adoptive homes. These stressed-out dogs, who through no fault of their own found themselves homeless and alone in a shelter, then weren’t given even basic manners training before being expected to behave perfectly in their new home. That's the literal definition of unreasonable expectations.
It’s important to remember that dogs aren’t robots. They are living, feeling, sentient beings who will happily do as you want if you show them what that is.
Why Adopted Dogs Need Training (All Dogs Actually)
ALL DOGS NEED TRAINING. Adopted dogs just need a little extra special training because they’ve gone through a rough patch—abandonment, loss, homelessness, grief, possible mistreatment—and are now in an environment where all the rules are new & different. The stakes couldn’t be higher for them: behave as expected or you may find yourself back at the shelter.
Why Positive Reinforcement Training is the Only Choice
I firmly believe the only appropriate and humane way to train any dog is through positive reinforcement. This method is especially crucial for adopted dogs who may have a history of trauma or neglect. Here’s why:
1. Positive Training Builds Trust & Confidence
Positive reinforcement training focuses on building a foundation of trust and confidence—two things that rescue dogs desperately need to open up and express their true personalities. This method is gentle and, because it’s treat-based, allows for easy interactions with their new family, contributing to a strong dog-human bond right from the start.
2. Positive Training Can Start Immediately
You can begin positive reinforcement training as soon as your dog arrives home, even while they’re still settling in. The gentle nature of this approach makes it safe to start right away, helping your dog acclimate to their new environment without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Positive Training Works for Triggered Dogs
If your dog is triggered by something in their new environment—perhaps due to past life experiences—positive reinforcement training is less likely to exacerbate their reaction. In fact, it's highly effective when counter-conditioning is needed to change negative associations.
4. Positive Training is Easier for YOU
Let’s not forget that adopting a dog can feel overwhelming for you, too (remember DOA?). Positive training helps you bond with your new dog faster and keeps everyone’s energy calm which prevents overwhelm from taking root. It’s much easier to address challenges on both sides when your relationship consistently strengthens through trust and positive interactions.
5. Positive Training is Backed by Science
Positive reinforcement training is based on the latest research in dog behavior and cognition (yes, the best positive trainers stay current on the latest in canine science so their methods stay cutting edge, ethical & effective). Modern science has vastly improved our understanding of how dogs think, learn & communicate, much like how medicine has advanced beyond outdated practices like bloodletting.* Traditional aversive methods are the “bloodletting” of dog training—outdated and harmful.
6. Positive Training Feels Better for Everyone
Think about it: Would you rather receive a cookie for doing something right or a scolding (or smack!) for making a mistake? Most of us would choose the cookie & dogs are no different. Encouraging your dog to repeat behaviors you like by rewarding them with treats is not only more effective but also more enjoyable for both of you.
7. Positive Training is Fun
Positive reinforcement training feels more like playing a game with a partner than engaging in a traditional “master” and “pupil” dynamic. This makes the training process fun & engaging for you and your dog.
The Takeaway: Training is What Keeps Adopted Dogs Adopted
Remember, whatever the age or breed of your dog when you adopt them, they rarely arrive fully trained. They may have had some training in the past and only need a refresher or (and more likely) they may need to learn everything.
Positive Reinforcement Training is the ONLY method you should use with your adopted dog.
Trust me—you will both be so much happier for it. Training is what keeps adopted dogs adopted. By starting positive reinforcement training as soon as possible, you’ll help your new dog build confidence, you'll learn about each other, and create a deep, lasting bond that will see you both through any challenges.
Adopting a dog at any age (yours & theirs) can be stressful all around. Positive training helps prevent that stress from turning into overwhelm, especially if you start implementing it right away.
*Bloodletting is an ancient practice of removing blood from a patient to treat illness. The blood was often removed via the use of leeches.
Click here for a free online dog training consultation with me! I'm excited to speak with you about your adopted dog.
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