Over the years, we've owned three dogs since puppyhood (one was already mine before I met my husband), and adopted two adults (including one of our current dogs). My parents have owned two of the "family dogs" since puppyhood, and their current one was adopted as an adult. Something I've noticed about the adopted dogs is, they seem a little more insecure/concerned about not being near us. Even a year or longer after the adoption. They follow us around, sit/lie down nearby, and get even more excited about snuggles and praise. The other dogs do this but slightly less often, as if they feel more secure in their relationship with us. Nobody has ever given them away or dumped them somewhere. This is not something that annoys me...I am just curious if anyone else has noticed.
As a rescuer and foster, I have found that with young puppies, they have never been unloved. So, they take it for granted that you will always be there. But once a dog has been given up, abandoned, abused, etc, they are very grateful when a good person brings them home. They understand what it's like not to have a good loving home. I remember one sweet dog who I was trying to place. A co-worker's boyfriend came to meet her. He really liked her but didn't want to take her away from me because she was obviously attached. I told him "by the time you get to the highway, she'll have forgotten me and will adore you". He took her. That night he called to tell me it only took her to the end of the driveway... I adopted out a border collie once. The couple loved her but said she wasn't really bonding with them. Then they had to go out of town for a funeral so they dropped her off with me to dogsit. She moved back in without issue. Then they came to pick her up. She was SO HAPPY!!!! I call it the "Sally Field effect". She thought they had returned her. When they came back, she was just estatic that they really wanted her, " you like me! You really like me!". After that she was bonded to them fully. She just needed to see that it wasn't another temporary home. Ever since, I always offer to dogsit for my fosters - and I highly encourage it for dogs that are a bit more aloof. The trick is that the new home must drop them off and pick them back up - it shows the dog that they love her. Beyond that, it also has to do with breed. A husky doesn't show that affection or need to be with you. A shepherd will accept that you must leave sometimes but will do the shepherd whine hysterically when you get home. And Tornado-dogs have FOMO. He's outside miserable because the plumber is here and he wants to help...
