10/04/2026
While traveling through Rio and Búzios recently, I saw quite a few dogs freely roaming the streets. And what really struck me was how normal they seemed to be. I was so enamored to finally witness this in person outside of the USA. I didn’t see people routinely chasing them away. I didn’t see the kind of obvious fear, conflict or distress that I might expect when seeing a dog without a traditional “owner.” Many appeared healthy, comfortable navigating their environment, and completely accustomed to sharing space with people.
And it made me think about something we talk about A LOT in the dog-training world:
What do dogs actually need to be happy?
We’re often told that dogs are “pack animals” and therefore need constant canine companionship, a dog friend, or a structured social group. But dogs are much more flexible than that. Free-ranging dog populations around the world show a huge range of social organization. Most dogs spend much of their time alone. Some form loose relationships with other dogs. Some form stable groups when environmental conditions make it advantageous. And, perhaps most importantly, humans are often a HUGE part of their social environment. In fact, research on free-ranging dogs has repeatedly documented solitary dogs as a very common pattern. That doesn’t mean dogs aren’t social animals, they absolutely are. It means “social animal” doesn’t automatically equal “must live in a pack.”
Brazil also has an interesting concept of community animals: dogs who may not have one identifiable owner but are known, fed, cared for and supported by the surrounding community. Rio has laws recognizing these animals and providing for things like veterinary care, sterilization and identification. Búzios has adopted similar protections for community animals. That doesn’t mean every free-roaming dog has a great quality of life. Street life comes with very real risks: traffic, disease, injury, reproduction and access to resources. And obviously, what I observed during a short visit isn’t enough to make sweeping claims about the welfare of an entire country’s dog population.
But as a dog behavior nerd? I found it fascinating. Because sometimes seeing dogs living successfully in an environment very different from our own is a good reminder that there isn’t one single “right” way for a dog to live. Dogs are remarkably adaptable.
And maybe that’s one more reason we should be thinking about the individual dog in front of us instead of trying to force every dog into the same idea of what a “normal” dog should be.
And another thing I couldn’t help but notice: the owned dogs I saw were almost universally walking on harnesses. Even in busy, crowded streets, I didn’t see the parade of prong collars, shock collars, choke chains, or other aversive equipment that we’re so accustomed to seeing in some places. Instead, I saw dogs being walked on harnesses, navigating busy sidewalks and streets alongside their people.
Obviously, this was just my personal observation during one trip, not a scientific survey of Brazil’s dog-walking practices. But as a trainer who strongly prefers humane, evidence-based handling, it was pretty damn refreshing to see.
🇧🇷🐾
