Читать книгу Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff - Группа авторов - Страница 35

Puppies may be particularly challenged if there is an inundation of sensory information and lack of socialization opportunities that prepare for later‐in‐life experiences. Shelters can consider dam and littermate contact, prioritize early life socialization experiences, and explore real‐world housing opportunities outside the shelter. Many dogs entering shelters are between one and three years of age and in the midst of social maturity; these dogs would benefit from many of the early life socialization considerations that younger dogs are afforded (Hammerle et al. 2015). Senior dogs may have difficulty coping with separation from an attachment figure as well as novelty. Considering behavioral differences between normal aging and cognitive dysfunction, as discussed earlier, would greatly assist this population. While collecting information on owner‐relinquished dogs is valuable—for example, through owner report or behavior observation—so too is not over speculating about a dog’s past or future. Owner reports do not always correlate with observed behaviors in shelters or subsequent homes (Stephen and Ledger 2007), and behavior may be modifiable.