The meeting emphasized that aggression in shelter dogs is a contextual, emotion-driven behavior, most often fear-based, but sometimes rooted in frustration, rather than a fixed label. Key strategies included reducing stress, observing behavior instead of using labels, managing distance, intensity, and duration. Safe handling, environmental management, and assessing dogs outside kennels were highlighted as critical to welfare and prognosis.
In this session, Tom and Laurie will explore how understanding the emotional states of shelter dogs can improve both welfare outcomes and behavior support strategies. Drawing on a multi-dimensional model of emotion assessment, Tom will help attendees go beyond surface behavior to better recognize what dogs are experiencing on the inside.
In this session, Trish and Laurie will explore the powerful intersection of mentorship and playgroups: two game-changing tools for shelter teams seeking to reduce stress, support behavior, and get more dogs adopted.
Featuring Jessica Wheatcraft of Guidance by Jessica