Dogs can become victims of kennel stress; Bubba needs a home
Kennel stress is a real phenomenon. It can happen to any dog, whether it is a dog being kenneled at a boarding kennel, other dogs living in a kennel situation, or, as in Bubba's case, a dog in a shelter environment. It happens most often to dogs who are plunged into a kennel situation who aren't used to living in one. If a dog has been acclimated to living in a kennel situation, such as hunting dogs who may live in large kennels with other dogs they know from the time they're young, the dog is usually quite happy to be surrounded by the dogs and things he knows. (However, some hunting breeds are better adapted to living in kennels than others. Some breeds may be too soft-natured for this life. Others are more pack-oriented and it doesn't bother them.)
For dogs like Bubba, living in a kennel with strange dogs and lots of strange sights and sounds is very stressful. It makes them nervous. They lose weight. They can pace, their personalities may change. All of these things make it even harder for them to be adopted.
Kennel stress is one of the primary reasons why dogs often die in the custody of rescue when they seize dogs from people. Even in cases where their previous conditions may not have been ideal, the stress of living in a kennel situation at a shelter with strangers and being scared by the sudden changes in their lives leads some of these dogs to stop eating and it can worsen existing health conditions.
If you're in the Oshkosh area, the contact information for Bubba is at the end of the story below. No matter where you live, if you are looking for a shelter dog you may want to take a look at some of the dogs who are having trouble adapting to the kennel situation at the shelter.
From the Oshkosh Northwestern
Dogs can become victims of kennel stress; Bubba needs a home
Bubba is a 4-year-old black Labrador dog who is suffering greatly from kennel stress and needs to find a forever home. He may be seen at the Oshkosh Area Humane Society.
Adaptability, some of us are better at it than others and such is the case with different dogs cooped up at animal shelters.
Animals housed in shelters are under a great deal of stress. You may ask, "What does a dog have to be stressed about"?
Kennel stress, as it is referred to in the animal industry, is a condition caused by some or all of the variables of the living environment of any kennel.
For some dogs being in close approximation to strange dogs and people, whether in sight or within hearing distance, can be stressful. Loud or unusual noises can be very distracting and produce stress.
Kenneled dogs are often in a constant state of anxiety and can suffer from sleep deprivation. For some dogs, their brain is constantly on alert and they can’t ever relax. The biggest promoter of stress is too much confinement in comparison to the energy level of the dog.
The Oshkosh Area Humane Society watches for signs of stress and all dogs are exercised or walked two to three times daily. Sometimes this isn’t enough to outweigh the stress a dog feels while confined to a kennel.
Living in a kennel environment for an extended length of time is unnatural to a dog’s natural desire to be part of a pack or family.
Any dog can become a victim of kennel stress. Some become depressed and lose weight while others become hyperactive and start exhibiting extreme behaviors. Kennel stress can produce obsessive- compulsive behaviors including circling and whirling and bouncing repetitively off kennel walls.
Kennel stress is what is happening to Bubba, a very adoptable, 4-year-old, well-behaved black Labrador.
The many twists and turns in Bubba’s short life, in addition to now being at OAHS, are pushing him over the edge. Bubba was given away from his first home because he wouldn’t hunt and has been passed along to different homes. Bubba has had four homes in four years.
Bubba is a good dog who is having a very rough time right now. OAHS is hoping someone will help us save him.
Bubba’s temperament test indicates he would do well with children, knows basic commands, loves to play fetch and is housetrained and crate trained.
He would love to have a family willing to provide him with plenty of exercise. He isn’t afraid of anything including guns or water but he’s not a hunting dog.
If you are looking for a jogging buddy or fulltime playmate please come and spend some time with Bubba. It would be a tragedy to lose Bubba to kennel stress.
You may come and visit with Bubba at 1925 Shelter Court Tuesday and Wednesday, noon to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. OAHS is closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays.
Contributed by Cheryl Rosenthal.
