How strong is a dog's loyalty to his original owner and how long does it take for a dog to switch loyalties?

For example, a dog's original owner (from birth) gives away the dog to a new owner. Sometime later (weeks, months, years?), the two owners run into each other (with the dog). Will the dog recognize the original owner and feel like he belongs with the original owner (maybe even going home with the original owner)?

Or, will the dog feel totally attached to the second owner and even be protective of the newer owner?

b.

I've had the chance to watch a lot of dogs come off the airplanes from Europe and immediately go on the field and do some obedience and even sometimes bitework. All the strong nerved, confident dogs acted like it was no big deal whatsoever, that whoever was holding his leash or his ball was his new best friend in the world. The weaker nerved dogs acted insecure and didn't interact with the new handlers well at all. The ones that I've seen meet their old owners years later all recognized and greeted the previous owner, but showed no inclination to separate from their current family.

It is going to depend on the dog and the type of dog that it is. Some dogs switch their "allegience" and affections easier than others and some it will take quite a long time for them to completely adapt to a new owner. I bought a leader that was 8 years old and had only ever been with her original breeder and owner. She was completely "mine" within 2 days - commands etc. She was just the kind of dog that bonds easily I guess. Other dogs I have bought were much slower to form a bond and it was up to a year before they completely settled with me. They would work for me ok after a couple of weeks but it was a year until they were completely
"mine". I think most dogs will retain a recognition of their original owner if they were with them for any length of time.

I mentioned this breifly in another thread a while ago.

I have had several adult rescues that bonded within a months time. A couple pounds of beef liver and they become friends quickly. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I purchased a 3.5 yr old trained dog back in late Feb. (SchH2) She was purchased sight unseen over the net. In late May I returned to her 'home' with the owner/trainer who had her from birth and while she recognized him, she still showed a strong preference to me. She did 'visit' him, while off leash in a room, but always gravitated back to me.

I took her to training with me less than 24hrs after I picked her up from the airport and she worked well for me.(light ob and a few bites) Not on a competition level because we didn't speak the same language(figuratively), but she still worked fine.

I will say that while we were visiting she remembered their dog trailer and went nuts when they were hooking it up. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Of course, she knows where that goes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Interesting question. I've always gotten my dogs as pups but I will be getting a 7 month Australian Shep in a few weeks. She was
way to much dog for the lady that had her but tested really well for the SAR team I'm on. I will probably bond with her for a few weeks and then I'll be going to The Dog House (Tom Rose) for obd training. He's been fantastic with all our handlers and dogs.
My question.
She'll be a team dog (not mine) but will stay with me at least through her SAR training. How easily will it be to train her to respond/work with a number of different team members? She seems to love everybody, has ball drive to die for, retrieves naturally, and will look for a tossed ball in tall grass forever. She DOES find it.

We looked afer 2 dogs (JRT's) belonging to friends of ours (while they had some work done to their house).

The dogs did not know our house at all, but obviously did know us.

It was embarassing! - after a few weeks, our friends came to visit us & their dogs. Their dogs said a quick "hello" and then came and sat with their new family (us!) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> .

The dogs did not appear to miss their original family at all and easily fell into our routine.

I was quite surprised.

Bob,

It shouldn't be that hard to teach the dog to work with multiple people. The way I usually do it is to have one person do the initial training and then start having other people work the dog. I would use obedience for the foundation for this. If the dogs obedience is already complete, you could start now with that, in the mean time have on person work on the SAR training. When that is nearing completion start introducing other people in to the equation.

Ben,
In my experience, that will depend on your dog and the bond you have established with him. My dog (4yo GSD) has been separeted from me twice for a couple of months each time and lived with a couple of dogs trainers/friends. The dog knew both of them and have even been socialize by one of them. They take him along whenever possible everywhere they go. But, he refused to do any training (ob/protection work) for them.
On one weekend I have the opportunity to visit, he jump over a 2 meter fence just to come over to greet me (asking me to take him home).
So, my believe is the bond your establish will your dog wll have a great influence on it. Maybe nerves and confidence will also be a factor, but my dog is PP trained and knows his job, but is also very calm and very good with children.

Thanks Richard. I'm going to be starting from square one with her. She's not even housebroken and unruly as hell but her attitude shows me she's dying for direction. After 25-30 yrs with terriers I'm really going to enjoy working with this Aussie. I've helped others with obd on their Aussies and they seem to really LIKE taking direction.

Thanks for the inputs, everyone - great to
hear your experiences... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hmm... Sounds like it can go either way, huh?

Does anyone know if dogs recognize their mothers
if they've been separated for a length of time
(I've heard that kittens won't recognize their
mothers after being separated for a time, possibly
due to loss of the common odor)?

b.