The results of the study scaled the dogs on five dimensions of behavior temperament: playfulness, curiosity/fearfulness, chase-proneness, sociability, and aggressiveness (De Palma et al., 2005). Dogs living in rescue shelters were assessed as demonstrating a low degree of playfulness, showing distraction by the environment when being enticed to play. The sheltered dogs also scored low on curiosity but, high on fearful behavior. The cortisol levels for the sheltered dogs were significantly higher than the cortisol levels of canines living in households, indicative of stress and anxiety associated with shelter lifestyle. Shelter dogs showed a low proportion of chase-proneness supported by demonstrations of low physical activity and excitability.
Shelter dogs were assessed as exhibiting low levels of sociability toward conspecies but, a high sociability when concerning humans (De Palma et al., 2005). This trend was also demonstrated when observing levels of aggressiveness; the dogs seemed more antagonistic toward conspecies than humans. It should be noted that shelter dogs displayed rare bouts of hostile behavior and results were supported by little data.
It is interesting to find a set of shared characteristics existing in canines living in rescue shelters. Such findings lead one to speculate if the shelter environment may be partly responsible for inducing behavior characteristics? After all, dogs living in shelters are subjected to a variety of stressors including isolation from attachment figures, loss of control, intense noise, and a multitude of other distressing stimuli (Tuber, Miller, Caris, Halter, Linden &ump; Hennessy, 1999). A dog enduring such a harsh environment is likely to acquire abnormal social behavior, retarded development, and/or unpredictable reactions in novel situations.
There are effective strategies to improve the welfare of canines living in rescue shelters. Deborah Wells (2003) cited three possible areas for improvement in most shelter environments, these include: inanimate enrichment, conspecific contact and human contact.
As previously discussed, dogs have a higher intelligence than most people would give them credit. Surrendering a dog into a barren environment would most likely enhance psychological deficiency and promote future maladaptive behaviors. Therefore, it is encouraged that the dogs be surrounded by a complex and stimulating inanimate environment (Wells, 2003).
Toys are a great, inexpensive approach to encourage play and reduce boredom (Wells, 2003). Exposure to innovative objects helps prompt exploration and increase activity. Unfortunately, the introduction of toys might induce possessive aggression between conspecies housed in the same kennel and might also promote the spread of disease.
Suspending the toys at the front of the cage often resolves the issue of sanitation and possessive aggression (Wells, 2003). Having an object of interest attached to the front of the cage may also encourage the dogs to spend more time in that section, statistically increasing their chances of being adopted (Marston &ump; Bennett, 2003).
Habituation to toys often occurs over the course of several days and the sanitary rotation of toys is recommended (Wells, 2003). Interestingly, puppies will express acute interest toward the same toy for several weeks after introduction, approaching it with continual, renewed interest.
Cage furniture is yet another method commonly employed to enhance the shelter environment (Wells, 2003). Dog beds and standard kennels are the most common forms of furniture implemented by shelter staff. Standard kennels are perceived as a dog’s den area and enhance privacy and security (Tynes, 2007). Kennels can also provide a dog with a platform to better see beyond their pens and increase social contact (Wells, 2003). Dog beds placed at the front of the kennel can promote adoption by facilitating more dog-visitor interaction.
Rescue shelters often subject dogs and visitors to unpredictable and intense noise. How does one go about voiding the negative effects of such distressing stimuli? One might introduce classical music to the environment. Canines in a rescue shelter demonstrated more relaxed behaviors (decreased barking, increased resting, etc.) when exposed to classical music (Wells, 2003). Neither human conversation nor pop music had any effect and heavy metal music actually increased agitation. Classical music also improved the mood of visitors and increased optimistic views of adoption.
As discussed earlier, dogs have an incredible sense of smell. How can shelter staff hinder the negative effects of shelter lifestyle by invoking on the sense that, undoubtedly, dogs value the most? They might think about introducing calming odors such as lavender or chamomile (Wells, 2003). When exposed to calming odors, dogs demonstrated an increase in relaxed behaviors. Interestingly, when canines were exposed to stimulating odors, such as peppermint, the canines were prompted into a state of pleasant excitability. Conspecific contact is another important resource providing environment enrichment to shelter dogs. Canines permitted visual conspecific contact spent more time at locations in their cage where they were able to see other dogs (Wells &ump; Hepper, 1998). Dogs are pack animals and have an inherent desire to be in close proximity to one another. Providing this needed contact may promote psychological well-being.
Wells expresses the importance of human contact on improving the environment for shelter dogs (2003). In many instances, canines have shown a preference for human companionship over conspecific contact (Hennessy, Williams, Miller, Douglas &ump; Voith, 1998). Physical interactions between canines and humans have shown a significant reduction of blood cortisol levels in both species. Effects were even greater for canines when the sex of the interacting human was female.
Equally important to a canine’s well-being at the shelter is their successful transition into a new home (Tuber et al., 1999). It is imperative that the shelter staff appear pleasant and accommodating to all visitors of their establishment. Initiating a relationship between new owners and the shelter increases the likelihood that the owner will reference the shelter as a first resource should any problems arise.
Rescue shelters could become even more proactive by starting behavioral therapies with animals currently in their care. This would allow rescue staff and volunteers to address behavioral deficits as soon as the canine is admitted. Such early intervention may provide individuals, planning on adopting from a rescue shelter, a relatively ‘problem-free’ dog. Training would also enable the rescue staff and volunteers to be proficiently skilled in executing canine behavioral therapies. As a result, shelters would be able to help community members eradicate problem behaviors and improve the bond with their pets. This would allow shelters to become a first resource, not just a final solution.

Part Two
Review of Personal Experiences
Since as far back as I can remember, I have always loved dogs! As a young girl, I would often beg my parents to let me adopt one, but they refused. My father was not keen on dogs and had a low tolerance for their typical behaviors.
I was determined to get a dog, despite my parents’ denial. Whenever I would encounter a dog unaccompanied by its owner, I would take it home with me. When I was confronted by my parents, I would cry and make up some elaborate story as to why we had to “rescue” that dog.