“AITA For Declining A Potential Client Because They Chewed Me Out At My Past Job And Don’t Know Who I Am?”

More than 3 million dogs end up at shelters in the U.S. every year. That’s why it’s really good to adopt and not shop when getting a pet. However, it’s crucial to understand what you’re getting yourself into with your potential new pet.

A former animal welfare worker has told how a woman blatantly ignored her warnings that a particular dog had a range of behavior issues. And had been returned to the shelter numerous times. A year later, the woman contacted a dog trainer, begging for help and trash-talking the shelter. Little did she know she was speaking to the very person who’d finalized the adoption.

Even some of the cutest dogs can have behavior issues that make them aggressive

Golden retriever dog yawning while lying in tall grass, symbolizing dog behavior issues and adoption challenges.

Image credits: kamchatka (not the actual photo)

One woman went against the advice of an animal shelter, and her decision has now come back to bite her

Woman adopts dog with behavior issues despite animal shelter advice, facing challenges and quick regret soon after.

Woman adopts dog with behavior issues despite shelter advice and quickly regrets decision due to challenges faced.

Adoption contract with behavioral disclaimer explaining dog behavior issues for adopters at animal shelter.

Woman adopting dog with behavior issues disregards animal shelter advice and faces quick regret after challenges arise.

Woman on phone looking concerned, representing regrets after adopting dog with behavior issues from animal shelter advice.

Image credits: katemangostar (not the actual photo)

Text about woman adopting dog with behavior issues, regretting decision after ignoring animal shelter advice.

Woman adopts dog with behavior issues despite shelter advice, then regrets decision and seeks training help.

Woman adopts dog with behavior issues from shelter, quickly regrets decision after initial encounter and advice ignored.

Woman struggling with dog behavior issues after adopting against animal shelter advice, facing challenges with training and behavior fixes.

Two women in a heated outdoor conversation, reflecting tension related to adopting a dog with behavior issues.

Image credits: mariadevicente (not the actual photo)

Woman adopts dog with behavior issues against shelter advice, struggling to manage anxiety and training challenges.

Text on screen describing the challenge of adopting a dog with behavior issues, including aggression and stress management.

Couple adopts dog with behavior issues despite shelter advice, facing challenges with aggression and rehoming the pets.

Text excerpt showing a woman’s dilemma after adopting a dog with behavior issues against animal shelter advice.

Image credits: undeterminedcreature

The dog trainer provided a bit more info when prompted

Alt text: Online discussion about adopting a dog with behavior issues, highlighting concerns from a professional dog trainer.

Screenshot of an online discussion about animal shelter software used to label dogs with behavior issues during adoption process.

Screenshot of an online discussion about a woman adopting a dog with behavior issues against animal shelter advice.

Discussion about a woman adopting a dog with behavior issues against shelter advice and soon regretting the decision.

Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavioral disorders in dogs

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

I’ve had a dog scratch through wooden floorboards, and even chew a hole in the front door. He was adopted from a rescue organization. In retrospect, I should have renamed him Shadow. Because he could win the follow-me-everywhere Olympics, if there ever were such a thing. This dog even jumped right into the shower with me during his first week home.

Thankfully, it’s been a few years now, and he’s grown to understand that I always come back. And that I am not the same family that dropped him at a shelter at the age of seven and drove away – never to be seen again. Don’t get me wrong. His separation anxiety is still there. Just nowhere near as bad.

In case you’re not familiar with the term, separation anxiety is triggered when dogs become upset because of separation from their guardians, the people they’re attached to.

While some dogs will bark nonstop when left alone (even for a few minutes), others can take it to the extreme. “Escape attempts by dogs with separation anxiety are often extreme and can result in self-injury and household destruction, especially around exit points like windows and doors,” explains the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

The ASPCA adds that some dogs suffering from separation anxiety become agitated when their guardians prepare to leave. Others seem anxious or depressed prior to their guardians’ departure or when their guardians aren’t present. Some try to prevent their guardians from leaving.

“Usually, right after a guardian leaves a dog with separation anxiety, the dog will begin barking and displaying other distress behaviors within a short time after being left alone—often within minutes,” notes the site. “When the guardian returns home, the dog acts as though it’s been years since he’s seen his mom or dad!”

Here’s what to do if your dog freaks out about being left alone

Image credits: wirestock (not the actual photo)

The main goal when treating a dog with separation anxiety is to teach the dog to enjoy, or at least tolerate, being left alone. “This is accomplished by setting things up so that the dog experiences the situation that provokes his anxiety, namely being alone, without experiencing fear or anxiety,” the ASPCA says.

PetMD suggests desensitizing your dog to pre-departure cues to help reduce their anxiety. These include things like picking up your car keys, packing your lunch, putting on your shoes, or grabbing your purse. Basically, the behaviors your dog notices before you leave the house. 

“These actions can be a significant source of distress for your dog. You can help decrease your dog’s anxiety by changing up your routine, performing these actions when you are not leaving, or avoiding as many of them as possible,” advises the PetMD site. “You can also offer your dog a special treat to help distract them as you are preparing to leave.”

The ASPCA adds that providing lots of physical and mental stimulation is a vital part of treating many behavior problems, especially those involving anxiety. “Exercising your dog’s mind and body can greatly enrich his life, decrease stress, and provide appropriate outlets for normal dog behaviors,” explains the society’s site. “Additionally, a physically and mentally tired dog doesn’t have much excess energy to expend when he’s left alone.”

Again, the ultimate goal is to teach your dog that being alone is not a bad thing. “To increase their confidence, gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends alone,” suggests PetMD, adding that this requires patience and is often the most challenging part of behavior modification.

You’ll find some more tips on dealing with separation anxiety here. Of course, if you and Fido are really at your wits’ end, you can always reach out to a professional dog behaviorist. If you haven’t been trash-talking them, they should be more than willing to help.

“Champagne dreams”: many agreed that the trainer should not work with the woman

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing a woman adopting a dog with behavior issues against shelter advice.

Woman adopts dog with behavior issues against shelter advice, faces challenges and quickly regrets decision.

Comment on online forum about woman adopting dog with behavior issues despite shelter advice, expressing regret quickly.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing dog behavior issues and challenges after adopting against shelter advice.

Woman adopts dog with behavior issues against shelter advice, facing quick regret amid challenges with pet care.

Comment on Reddit showing user Patient_Gas_5245 stating someone had years to get help but failed and talks trash unintentionally about behavior issues.

Red-haired woman hesitating while holding a leashed dog with behavior issues after adoption against shelter advice

Woman adopts dog with behavior issues against animal shelter advice and quickly regrets decision, facing training challenges and accountability.

Comment text about woman adopting dog with behavior issues and concerns about returning dog to shelter.

Comment discussing difficulties with helping dogs with behavior issues after adoption against shelter advice.

Comment discussing a woman’s regret after adopting a dog with behavior issues despite shelter advice.

Woman with a dog showing behavior issues, reflecting regret after adopting against animal shelter advice.

Comment on Reddit about training a dog with behavior issues after a woman adopts it against animal shelter advice.

Comment discussing challenges of adopting a dog with behavior issues from an animal shelter and the need for better adopter education.

Comment recommending referring woman who adopted a dog with behavior issues to another trainer due to a full schedule.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing challenges of training dogs with behavior issues after adoption from an animal shelter.

Comment discussing advice on adopting a dog with behavior issues and recommending an intensive dog trainer.

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