Is this saying true about rescue dogs?

sparkle · 11-05-2009, 07:20 PM

I hear it said quite often (to include by tv/radio dog celebs) that a rescue dog will appreciate you/more as the dog knows that you have saved it. Does anyone else feel that the dog feels this way or is it that the human feels this way?

I never felt that any of the rescues that I have/had felt this way?

I have felt like at times my rescue dogs had no problems with taking advantage of me if I let them//?

Dakota Spirit · 11-05-2009, 07:28 PM

Personally, I think it's more a human feeling then anything else. I work with shelter dogs and while they are full of love and loyalty and everything else a good dogs has, I don't think those qualities are any more prominent in them then say, a breeder-purchased dog. We as people though, may look at those feelings as an example of the dog say 'thanks' or something similar.

That said, it could also be a way of describing how fast or strong a bond someone might form with their rescue pet. For example, say you are rescuing a dog that was previously kept in a very stressful, unsafe environment. If you are the first person to take that dog out of said environment and the first person to gain it's trust, you may develop an exceptionally strong bond. Sometimes that trust gets interpreted in a "He's doing this because he knows I saved him" kind of way.

I'm not saying anyone's bond with their dog is stronger then anyone else's...just trying to explain possible reasons for the "they know and appreciate it" statement.

Either way, it's pretty harmless. Maybe the dogs DO know...maybe they don't. If it makes the owner and dog happy though, I don't care which way one chooses to believe.

Spicy1_VV · 11-05-2009, 07:29 PM

I've heard it. Do I think it is true. No, I think more so the person likes to believe that.

I've had dogs from breeders to rescues, I didn't find that the dog had some knowing appreciation.

Certainly many dogs will take advantage. Some dogs are also just more independent or less affectionate.

moots · 11-05-2009, 07:43 PM

I've owned all sorts of dogs. I currently own 2 small breeds which I got at 10 weeks old ( a pure bred westie and a maltese cross westie) They're not spoilt and they know what life is about, they know life is good and they don't take anything for granted and have patients, they don't annoy or get on anyones nerves, they're like humans almost.

The first dogs I had were police dogs that had been retired or just stopped performing ( family member is a cop in the dog squad) Had a few GSDs and Rotties from this, these dogs were pretty easy because they were just laid back IE: the reason why they're forced into retirement in the first place.

The shelter dogs I've had have all pretty much been bad experiences, most of them have had a really tough life and they always find a way to express how tough they're by picking up a bad habit or two that will frustuate you to no end. Again I didn't say ALL, but most. Can't blame the dogs, it's just their experiences in life before coming to you, it's how they're use to living their life.

That is my experience with 3 types of different dogs, the human-like well behaved dogs, to the ex-police dogs , to the neglected dogs.

NRB · 11-05-2009, 08:29 PM

I often find that when people say things like "Oh he/she must love you soo much and appreciate you for rescuing him/her from the shelter" are really just putting out Their Personal Feelings on the matter and the dogs feeling have nothing to do with it at all. In other words they are the self-righteous folks. Definition of self righteous "confident of one's own righteousness, esp. when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others."

My stray/shelter rescue male was actually pretty confident on his own and would wander off if given the chance. I know that he loved me to pieces, but he was used to taking care of himself and was confident enough to go exploring on his own, far far away. I kept him leashed or in eyesight at all times.

Inga · 11-05-2009, 08:38 PM

I personally think that dogs like people are individuals. Some are grateful for all they get, some take it for granted. Some dogs have a strong feeling of entitlement, it seems.
My rescues have all been amazing dogs in their own rights. Whether they felt gratitude or were completely thankful for being saved, I will never know. What I felt saving them? Thankful to God for putting such amazing dogs in my path, that I might share my life with them.

Pai · 11-05-2009, 08:40 PM

It's natural for all dogs to love their humans. It's just what dogs are -- furry (or semi-furry) balls of love. It doesn't matter where they come from, that's just what they do. =)

TxRider · 11-05-2009, 09:07 PM

Do my rescue dogs appreciate being saved?

I sincerely doubt it. I doubt they have any concept of saving, or owning, or any idea why they are where they are.

Have they bonded very strongly because I'm the first human that they have really trusted? That has been kind and not harmed them?

Much more likely.

They are strong bonding breed though, as breeds go, so who knows.

No stronger than the bond I have had with dogs I have raised from the the time they were weened though.

GottaLuvMutts · 11-05-2009, 10:15 PM

Animal cruelty certainly happens WAY more than it should, but not every rescue dog is abused. I think that my rescue dog was probably treated very well before coming to me. Why? Because she loves everyone she meets and she fears nothing. In her case, there's nothing for her to be grateful for - I didn't save her from abusive owners, neglect, starvation, or anything else. That said, the shelter probably wasn't too nice of a place to stay, so I guess I saved her from that. But they were at least meeting her basic needs there.

Laurelin · 11-05-2009, 10:44 PM

I don't believe it because I don't think dogs can think like that. I don't think they understand what is happening to them regarding going from owner to owner. I don't know that they can think all this and many times I think we like to project human emotion on them because it makes us feel good.

moots · 11-05-2009, 10:52 PM

Can't dogs only think of one thing at a time? ie

food time !

nap time !

drink time !

bark at random object time !

greet owner time !

food time!

sleep time!

repeat

zimandtakandgrrandmimi · 11-05-2009, 11:11 PM

what if...

well..looking at it one way...they can problem solve and do so independantly of training...that indicates some sort of ability to reason. they definatly can express a sort of general attitude about whether something is desirable or not...which could be indicative of ability to feel a form of emotion...

I think a lot of things they just can't grasp because the world they live in is generally geared towards humans..

so I think the capacity for a form of gratitude is there...hypothetically speaking as its not practical to assess behavior on those terms for the most part..so...

dunno...maybe..

TxRider · 11-06-2009, 12:41 AM

Well mine certainly see hanging out with and sticking to me as desirable.

One I know was neglected almost to death, but apparently had very little interaction with humans or other dogs and what interaction she had with humans was bad.

She took a long time to gain trust, though she bonded with me long before she trusted me, and was obviously conflicted.

The other I have no idea. She was picked up as a stray animal, pregnant, in a small town. She seems like a long time stray, and has all the right behavior to live as a stray and survive. Smart, fears cars a lot, doesn't readily trust people or other dogs and would avoid them. So who knows.

She certainly bonded with me very fast though, trusts me well, and seems to see me as her protector now.

But I think it's just that their natural survival instincts compel them to latch on and stay with me as they are rewarded for doing so and no averse conditions exist. Just like we would in a similar circumstance.

moots · 11-06-2009, 06:17 AM

I think people think too much of it...from having both rescue dogs that aren't pups to having pups that were 10 weeks old I can say it depends on the dog. Most of the rescues I had if I left them access to leave the property they probably would, my current westie I know for sure would just run until she got tired, she'd come back but she'd be lost by the time she runs out of energy and wants to relax - had to reinforce the backyard fences - both the top and bottom, raised the fences and put tiles/brickets/wood planks on the side she she can't dig within like half a meter of a fence.

My 6 year old maltese that I have since she was 9 weeks old will not leave the house at all unless told to. She pretty much has an invisible leash on her really, she'll always stay within 5-10 meters of me when outside, she never barks, is extremely submissive and has never shown any sign of aggression her entire life (yes even as a pup) She's happy to do anything you want, she doesn't complain at all, no problems ever with any other dog with her, no problems with any other animals with her, she has zero prey drive and will not contest a peice of food over my other dog at all, she'll back off from a fly going to her meal for christ sake lol. She is pretty much a human, doesn't care bout other dogs, doesn't care about other humans and wont even bother greeting someone unless she knows them, she'll just ignore it just as a human would if they didn't know the person. She doesn't take food from strangers, she doesn't listen to strangers, so it's pretty much impossible to "trick" her into going with you.

Rottieluv · 11-06-2009, 09:57 AM

Its just the dog. My mom's rescue beagle loves her, but if he gets out the door he could care less. My rottweiler from a breeder doesnt even like it when I'm in the bathroom getting ready though he can still see me. He cries like a baby.

OH! And my first doggy love, Buddy, came from the pound and he was great! If you're looking for a dog that "thanks" you for saving it, he was the dog. I miss him so much!!! I'm going to try and find some pictures of him.

Kay Weber · 11-07-2009, 02:19 PM

They're dogs - They live in the moment. I think our rescue dogs enjoy where they are right now. They don't spend any time thinking about the past - or anything else except it's time to go outside or eat or take a nap. They bring some bad habits from the past with them sometimes - but we just have to teach them new ways of doing some things.

RBark · 11-07-2009, 02:37 PM

My 2 rescue dogs appear to not care less about me. The dog i purchased from a breeder made it her life's mission to stare at me as much as possible, forever and ever.

So yeah, I don't think it's true lol.

ColoradoSooner · 11-07-2009, 06:25 PM

This is a very interesting question and I've given it quite a lot of thought. However, that doesn't mean that I have any answers. Ha!

We have 2 rescue dogs. Ranger was given up by his family through some very strange circumstances. But from what I know about his past, he was treated well, never abused. It's obvious that he's very bonded to us and loves us...but I truly don't think it ever occurred to him that he has it "good" here. He pretty much takes his life here for granted. (He WAS an outdoor dog with his previous family and he does express his gratefulness for the couch on a regular basis...lol.)

On the other hand, Mayzie was rescued from a very bad situation. When we first met her at the adoption fair, we were told that she was the quintessential "dog who is grateful to be rescued." She is probably one of the most loving dogs I've ever known. Sometimes she will come up to one of us when we are sitting down, kind of melt into us and look at us with a look that could certainly be interpreted as gratitude or thanks.

However, I honestly can't say that she wouldn't be exactly this way if we had raised her from a puppy. She just may be a naturally loving, "grateful" dog. I'll never truly know. And when she leans into me like that, it doesn't really matter why. I'm just glad she's in our lives.

GatsbysMom · 11-07-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inga

I personally think that dogs like people are individuals. Some are grateful for all they get, some take it for granted. Some dogs have a strong feeling of entitlement, it seems.

This is what I have observed as well, and I don't think it's anthropomorphizing.

I do believe my rescue dog knows I rescued him and that's why we formed an attachment so quickly. One day he was sitting in a tiny cage at the ASPCA, and then I showed up and broke him out. So my face came into his view, he left a bad place, and now has a great home. I truly believe he can make the connection.

Pai · 11-07-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBark

The dog i purchased from a breeder made it her life's mission to stare at me as much as possible, forever and ever.

Icesis does that too... I'll be on the computer, doing whatever, then I look over and she's staring... then like 5 minutes later she's still doing it... it's kind of creepy!

I always wonder what she's thinking...