How does a dog react when he changes owner?

The behaviour of a dog can be modified following an important event in his life such as a change of family. The dog is an animal that has a great affection for its master and it can suffer deeply and even be traumatized when it has to get used to another master. An anxiety attack is expressed in several ways.

The dog, an animal of great sensitivity

Some dogs are over-attached to the master and his absence can cause certain behavioural problems. Separation anxiety is one of them because the animal becomes a victim of deep anxiety. Moaning, unexplained barking are some of the behaviours of a dog anxious to be separated from its master when the latter is absent. A dog that has to change master permanently is a situation that generates stress in the dog. A more or less long adaptation time is necessary because the animal must regain its bearings and get used to a new environment. It is important that the dog comes to its new master by itself rather than the new master going to him. With time and patience, the dog understands that we mean him no harm, eventually accepts the caresses and adopts his new environment.

The dog has a great ability to adapt

The dog has only one master, a little phrase that we often hear but which would be false. It is true that some dogs are more attached to a particular person. In the natural state, the dog lives in a pack and therefore innately accepts to live in a group, his family. The dog that lives with a single person just gets used to living in a "small pack" and becomes more attached to its master. Within a family, it is preferable that each member takes care of it, plays with it to strengthen the social bond. The dog agrees to obey several people in a group as long as he accepts them hierarchically.

The change of master requires a time of adaptation

A dog that changes its master and therefore also its environment can change its behaviour. He can become fearful, disoriented or even cranky for some. It is important that the new owner takes the time to take care of the animal, groom it, take it out for a walk and prepare its food. The dog will accept the change of handler more easily and there will be less risk of the dog changing its behaviour.