Published in Animals (2022), this study examined a critical but often misunderstood question: why do some adopted dogs successfully adjust into their new homes, while others are returned within weeks? Rather than focusing on training technique or breed selection, Powell and colleagues focused on the human psychological component—specifically, the expectations adopters held prior to adoption.
A total of 132 adopters were surveyed from a South Carolina shelter. They completed questionnaires before adoption and at 2 days, 2 weeks, and 4 months post-adoption. Of these, 29 owners returned their dogs within three months, with a median ownership of just eight days. The analysis revealed a striking pattern: returning owners held significantly higher expectations regarding their dog’s health, behavior, and emotional connection (bonding) compared to those who successfully integrated the dog.
Interestingly, expectations about responsibilities and challenges of dog ownership—such as time, costs, or lifestyle adaptation—did not differ between returners and non-returners. The decisive factor was not workload, but rather idealized assumptions about dog behavior and emotional readiness.
Real-life behavior presented a very different picture. Nearly two-thirds of adopters experienced behavioral problems, primarily related to fear, training difficulty, and socialization challenges—normal transition behaviors in newly adopted dogs. Encouragingly, these issues often decreased significantly over time, with:
- Training difficulty improving between days 2 and 4 months (F = 5.22, p = 0.01)
- Nonsocial fear decreasing between weeks 2 and 4 months (X2 = 10.17, p = 0.01)
This confirms that many behaviors which lead to returns are temporary and adaptive reactions to change—not permanent traits. Dogs do not fail; humans often misinterpret the natural adjustment process.
Through the lens of NeuroBond, this study highlights how early post-adoption instability is part of the emotional restructuring phase—where the dog seeks security, predictability, and relational clarity. Emotional attachment is not instant; it is built through stability, exposure, and lived experience rather than expectation.
Key takeaway: Successful adoption is not determined by quick “bonding,” but by patience, stable routine, and realistic views of behavior change over time. Adoption counseling and post-adoption behavioral support can significantly reduce early returns by aligning expectations with ethological reality.
Source: Powell, L., Lee, B., Reinhard, C. L., Morris, M., Satriale, D., Serpell, J., & Watson, B. (2022). Returning a Shelter Dog: The Role of Owner Expectations and Dog Behavior. Animals. Published April 19, 2022.
