Dogs rescued from puppy farms carry profound physical and psychological effects of their early lives. Understanding rehabilitation helps rescuers and adopters provide appropriate care.
Puppy farm survivors carry the consequences of their early experience throughout their lives. Animals raised without positive human contact, natural surfaces, toys, or species-appropriate social interaction are profoundly under-socialised. Fear responses to novel stimuli are deeply ingrained and extremely difficult to modify after the critical socialisation window has closed. Many rescue breeding dogs are never able to lead normal companion dog lives — living in permanent low-level fear. Their physical health is often poor from inadequate veterinary care and poor nutrition. Rehabilitation requires patience, specialist knowledge, and realistic expectations.