Behavior problems in dogs & cats
Barking, biting, not eating, shy, fighting? Behavior therapy offers hope. With patience and professional help, even animals with a difficult past can blossom.
Behavior problems are rarely the result of 'disobedience'. They are often a signal: stress, trauma, pain or misunderstanding. At Saved Souls we see dogs and cats every day who bark, bite, don't eat, are shy or fight—and we see them change. With patience, empathy and professional behavior therapy, even animals with a difficult past get a second chance. This page offers insight and hope.
Behavior types in our rescue dogs
🫣 Fear & shy behavior
What you see: Hides, startles, urinates from fear
Meat truck trauma: days in cages, constant fear of death. Street dog past: used to kicks, stones. Never had positive human contact.
Recovery: 3-24 months depending on severity
What we do:
- • Desensitization training
- • Building positive associations
- • Volunteers spend hours per day per anxious dog
✓ Adoption prep: All fearful dogs can accept a leash, eat in human presence, and approach multiple volunteers without panic before they leave us.
🐕🦺 Reactive behavior
What you see: Extreme barking, pulling on leash, can't be calmed
Defense from trauma—'Attack before I'm attacked'
Recovery: 4-16 months training
What we do:
- • Counter-conditioning: seeing another dog = positive experience
- • Controlled exposure with trained volunteers
- • Calm group walks
🦴 Resource guarding
What you see: Growls at food, devours food, hides food
Hunger trauma from street, fought for scraps in meat truck
Recovery: 6-12 months
What we do:
- • Hand-feeding: every meal via human hand = trust
- • 'Trade-up' game: trading = better reward
- • Separate feeding until safe
😰 Separation anxiety
What you see: Whining when alone, destructive behavior
Hyper-attachment after trauma, never been alone
Recovery: 4-10 months
What we do:
- • Crate training with positive associations
- • Gradual build-up: 10 sec → 10 min → 2 hours
- • For adopters: we train all dogs for at least 30 min alone time
✓ Adoption prep: We train all dogs for at least 30 min alone time before they leave us.
Our approach
🏊 Swim therapy
Water = weightless = control = trust. Our own pool means free therapy for traumatized and paralyzed dogs.
👥 Volunteer socialization
Every day 15+ volunteers spend 200+ hours on 1-on-1 time. Walking, petting, playing, just sitting next to them. This is what behavior rehabilitation really is.
🎓 Patience & consistency
No expensive behavior therapists. But daily dedication from our team. Every dog gets the time they need.
📊 Results
92% find a successful adoption home. 8% stay permanently (too complex)—receive lifelong care.
For adopters
"Are you ready for a rescue?"
✅ Checklist
- ☑️ You understand recovery can take months to years
- ☑️ You have patience for regression
- ☑️ You have a calm home
- ☑️ You work with our post-training support
💚 Why it's worth it
"Our adopters say: 'I wanted to save a dog. But she saved me.' The bond with a dog who learns to trust YOU is indescribable."
📞 Adoption process
- • Video call (get to know each other)
- • Sanctuary visit (multiple meetings)
- • Home check (photos)
- • Match! + 1 year free advice
Impact of your donation
No behavior therapist bills. But daily dedication.
With ฿250,000 per month (~€6,250) we care for 645 animals. That's ฿13 per animal per day (€0.32). Every euro literally counts.
💙 €10 = 3 days care for 10 dogs
💙 €25 = 1 week care for 10 dogs
💙 €50 = 2 weeks care for 10 dogs
💙 €100 = 1 month care for 10 dogs
Or specific treatments:
- • €10 = Vaccination for 1 dog
- • €29 = Sterilization campaign (prevents 100+ unwanted pups)
- • €100 = Locally made wheelchair for paralyzed dog
We make it work with what we have. No fancy facilities. No expensive experts. But love, patience and your support. 100% of targeted donations goes to direct care.