Own a Rescue dog? This One is for YOU!

So I recently helped give some advice to a fellow dog walker who is looking after a dog that has been rescued from Spain. There was a semi-feral dog in rural Spain in a street pack. Obviously this means that the dog would have had a different development compared to your normal pet dog. I wanted to share the advice and information I gave on feral dogs and why they are different - not broken!

Feral and Semi-Feral Dogs: Building Trust One Step at a Time

Not every dog starts life in a warm home, surrounded by people.

Some grow up on the outskirts — surviving in rural areas, abandoned spaces, or streets where humans were something to avoid, not trust.

These are the feral and semi-feral dogs — and working with them takes a very different approach from working with dogs who grew up in human hands.

For these dogs, people aren’t automatically seen as friends.

They’re often viewed with suspicion, fear, or caution — and for good reason. Survival has taught them that staying alive means staying away from the unknown.

What Feral and Semi-Feral Dogs Often Struggle With:

• Approaching people, even those who are kind

• Tolerating touch or close physical contact

• Navigating unfamiliar environments full of sounds and smells

• Reading social cues from other dogs in a “domestic” setting

• Managing stress when routines change suddenly

Their body language might look different too — more exaggerated or more subtle — because they weren’t raised to read and respond to human expectations.

Helping These Dogs Starts with a Different Mindset

Patience is not optional — it’s essential.

Building trust with a feral or semi-feral dog is about offering consistent, respectful interactions over time. It’s about letting the dog decide when they are ready — not pushing them to meet human needs on a human timeline.

Key principles include:

• Choice and autonomy: The dog must always have the ability to move away if they feel uncomfortable.

• Consent-based interaction: Even a simple touch should be earned, not assumed.

• Predictability and routine: Calm, steady handling builds a sense of safety in a world that often feels unpredictable to them.

• Celebrating small wins: Eye contact, taking a treat, resting nearby — these are major victories in a feral dog’s world.

Success Looks Different — and That’s Okay

For some feral or semi-feral dogs, success might mean learning to walk calmly on a lead, enjoying slow sniffy walks, and relaxing at home without constant fear.

For others, it might simply mean feeling safe enough to coexist peacefully without needing to hide or defend themselves.

The goal isn’t to “fix” them.

The goal is to help them feel safe, respected, and empowered in our world.

When given that chance, these dogs often reveal a depth of resilience, character, and quiet loyalty that’s truly extraordinary.