How their past could affect their behaviour
Often a rescue from abroad has an unknown or only partly known history. Sometimes they may have experienced trauma, neglect, or simply a life lived entirely on the street with no experience of being in a home.
Many adapt well to family life. But some pets end up struggling and withdrawn, or hypervigilant and unable to settle.
Why rescue pets from abroad often need a different approach
Whenever you welcome a new pet into your home, you both need to learn to speak each other’s language. Rescue dogs, whether from home or abroad, may be more likely to struggle and develop behaviour problems.
Dogs from abroad may have spent their early, critical months on the streets or in rescue centres, with little human interaction. Their first interactions with people may have been when they were captured, neutered, microchipped, and transported to the UK. Some could also have been rescued from dangerous regions, having been exposed to the trauma of bombing, gunfire or injury.
It’s no wonder a fear of strangers, noises, or everyday objects are common problems. Hypervigilance and resource guarding are behaviours consistent with a life spent surviving rather than learning to trust people. And some dogs simply shut down and withdraw.
Not every pet rescued from abroad will have problems — but it’s worth being aware of potential issues and seeking qualified help as early as possible.
Some ‘red flags’ that your rescued pet is struggling:
- Shutting down, freezing, or hiding.
- Extreme wariness of people, new environments, or everyday things.
- Resource guarding around food, space, or objects.
- Avoiding eye contact or being touched.
- Difficulty settling, constant pacing, or an inability to switch off.
My whole health approach
Having rescued a cat from abroad myself and helped numerous pet owners, I’m passionate about using kind, compassionate methods to support people and their rescued pets as they adapt to family life in the UK.
What this looks like in practice
I start by reviewing your pet’s medical and emotional history. From there, an in-depth consultation examines exactly what triggers their behaviours, how severe it is, and which combination of environmental changes, behavioural support, and — where appropriate — medication will help.
Imported rescue pets need patience and understanding, and I can be there to help you support them.
Frequently asked questions
Are imported rescue dogs more likely to have behaviour problems than UK-rehomed dogs?
Not necessarily. Research comparing imported dogs with UK shelter-adopted dogs found a broadly similar number of behaviour issues.
How long does it typically take a rescue dog from abroad to settle in?
It varies hugely from dog to dog, but it’s rarely quick. Many go through a longer settling-in period than a UK-raised dog might, and progress can take months rather than weeks.
My dog was calm when they first arrived, but now they won’t let me near them. What happened?
A dog that’s been so upset by their journey to your home can become shut down, seemingly calm and ‘settled’. After a few weeks, as they feel more confident in their new environment, their fear may start to show up in other ways. This is a common and recognised pattern, not something you’ve caused, and getting support early can help make a difference.
Could my dog’s fearfulness be linked to their health?
This is something I’ll always consider. Health history is often unknown or incomplete in imported rescues, so ruling out pain or untreated conditions is often part of getting the full picture.
Do you support cats rescued from abroad too?
Yes — the same combination of patience, behavioural support and, where needed, veterinary input applies just as much to cats as dogs.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. If any of this sounds like your dog or cat, get in touch. I can help you support your pet in a way that feels manageable and kind.
