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Canine Behaviour Shelter Course
FODS Shelter Initiative - "The Journey to Improved Quality of Life" |
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SECTION 1 - General
1. Aims
2. Procedures concerning Potential Adopters
3. Visitors to the shelter
4. One Dog per Run
5. Daily Elimination Program
6. Daily chew toys and stimulation
7. Daily walks and human interaction for at least the selected dogs
8. Procedures for dogs in FODS Shelter Initiative
9. Stimulation for long term residents
10. Volunteers
11. Why dogs end up in shelters
2. Procedures concerning Potential Adopters
3. Visitors to the shelter
4. One Dog per Run
5. Daily Elimination Program
6. Daily chew toys and stimulation
7. Daily walks and human interaction for at least the selected dogs
8. Procedures for dogs in FODS Shelter Initiative
9. Stimulation for long term residents
10. Volunteers
11. Why dogs end up in shelters
You will see that the work we will be doing with the shelter dogs ties in perfectly with the "The Hierarchy of Dog Needs™: Wellness and Force-free Behavior Modification Guide" which was created by Linda Michaels, M.A. Psychology.
This guide is being adopted by more and more behaviourists, trainers, shelters, vets etc. It is a unique model of wellness and behaviour modification. The dog's needs are listed hierarchically. However, the exclusively force-free behavior modification techniques may be safely and effectively used in any order or combination. You will notice in the HDN that neither positive punishment, negative reinforcement, negative punishment, nor extinction appear. They are purposefully absent.
To find our more, visit this link:-
http://www.dogpsychologistoncall.com/hierarchy-of-dog-needs-tm/
1. Aims
From meeting the founders of the Open Paw program, Dr. Ian Dunbar and his wife Kelly Gorman several years ago, it has been our dream of being able to offer a SA version of the Open Paw Program, specifically designed for the shelter situation in South Africa, and you have no idea how thrilled to share this with you!
Many of our Aims are based on the Open Paw Program to improve the quality of life of shelter dogs but presented in a different manner and adapting them to suit our own unique conditions in SA - we have added on additional features - use our own behaviour modifications methods and ideas - brought in Tellington TTouch and left out many of the Open Paw daily procedures. If you are interested in finding out more about the Open Paw Concept .
From Open Paw – “Open was created in January of 2000 with the goal of preventing the unwanted animal problem at its source. Most shelter animals were once perfectly normal, lovable and loved puppies and kittens. Yet many are surrendered to shelters or abandoned when they are six months to two years old. Why have these animals become unwanted? In most cases, because of behavior, temperament, or training problems, all of which could easily have been prevented. Sadly, having come to the shelter with behavioral baggage already, many animals rapidly deteriorate after only a short time in the shelter environment. They often become de-housetrained, hyperactive, noisy, anxious, and lonely. Unless a vigorous socialization and training program is in effect, the animals, particularly puppies and kittens, become less and less adoptable, and less likely to remain in a home if they do become adopted, with each day that they stay in the shelter.”
Unfortunately the Open Paw system is not easy to implement in SA due to a few very important reasons otherwise we would not try to reinvent the wheel: -
Our main aims are:
This guide is being adopted by more and more behaviourists, trainers, shelters, vets etc. It is a unique model of wellness and behaviour modification. The dog's needs are listed hierarchically. However, the exclusively force-free behavior modification techniques may be safely and effectively used in any order or combination. You will notice in the HDN that neither positive punishment, negative reinforcement, negative punishment, nor extinction appear. They are purposefully absent.
To find our more, visit this link:-
http://www.dogpsychologistoncall.com/hierarchy-of-dog-needs-tm/
1. Aims
From meeting the founders of the Open Paw program, Dr. Ian Dunbar and his wife Kelly Gorman several years ago, it has been our dream of being able to offer a SA version of the Open Paw Program, specifically designed for the shelter situation in South Africa, and you have no idea how thrilled to share this with you!
Many of our Aims are based on the Open Paw Program to improve the quality of life of shelter dogs but presented in a different manner and adapting them to suit our own unique conditions in SA - we have added on additional features - use our own behaviour modifications methods and ideas - brought in Tellington TTouch and left out many of the Open Paw daily procedures. If you are interested in finding out more about the Open Paw Concept .
From Open Paw – “Open was created in January of 2000 with the goal of preventing the unwanted animal problem at its source. Most shelter animals were once perfectly normal, lovable and loved puppies and kittens. Yet many are surrendered to shelters or abandoned when they are six months to two years old. Why have these animals become unwanted? In most cases, because of behavior, temperament, or training problems, all of which could easily have been prevented. Sadly, having come to the shelter with behavioral baggage already, many animals rapidly deteriorate after only a short time in the shelter environment. They often become de-housetrained, hyperactive, noisy, anxious, and lonely. Unless a vigorous socialization and training program is in effect, the animals, particularly puppies and kittens, become less and less adoptable, and less likely to remain in a home if they do become adopted, with each day that they stay in the shelter.”
Unfortunately the Open Paw system is not easy to implement in SA due to a few very important reasons otherwise we would not try to reinvent the wheel: -
- The majority of shelters in the US receive funding from either the Government, County, ASPCA or similar - SA, on average, does not. Shelters in SA have to spend a vast amount of time and energy just generating funds to keep going and as a result the shelter are short staffed.
- Minimum permanent staff in shelters compared to US.
- Often far too many dogs, so taking the dogs to the outside elimination area, at least three times a day is an impossibility due to the lack of staff.
- Insufficient staff to ensure that the dogs are all exercised outside the run at least 20 minutes a day for training.
- Quiet ‘down time’ each day (a scheduled break away from the public). Not enough space or staff to ensure this occurs.
- Daily grooming and handling exercises with 3 people, including 1 unfamiliar person – impossible due to shortage of staff and volunteers.
- Interaction with at least 20 people each day (either people visiting the shelter OR on a walk, mobile adoption, field trip, etc) including 5 unfamiliar people. Shelters in SA, normally have visitors only at the weekends, and there are just not enough staff to have this occur.
- Insufficient volunteers daily and often not enough at weekends.
- Kennels are outside as opposed to being covered and indoors; which makes supervision and interacting with the dogs more difficult.
- Very few shelters are able to keep dogs in individual runs for those dogs on the Shelter Initiative, and often there can be in excess of 10 dogs in a run and on occasion up to 35 dogs.
- Field trips to animal-free or 'safe' places outside of the shelter.
Our main aims are:
- Improve the life of dogs in shelters in general as in the Aims section both in the short term and long-term scenarios.
- Supplying additional knowledge of dogs in general to shelter staff, volunteers and those undertaking the course.
- Teaching those on the course how to interact with dogs to help to calm them down and decrease stress in the shelter environment.
- Assist with providing ideas to provide stimulation and enrichment to the dog's in the shelter, thus reducing stress.
- Help condition dogs to enjoy people’s company which will make them more adoptable, and improve the dogs socialization skills with people - this will also help the dogs to be calmer around people.
- Teach those working with the dog’s basic obedience exercises, and behavioural solutions which will result in the dogs being more adoptable.
- Teach those working with dogs the basic rules and procedures for when the dogs go to their new homes and encouraging a private session with the new owner explaining the basics.
- Give shelter staff and volunteers the knowledge and tools to be able to teach new owners the basis of obedience and the House Rules prior to taking their new dog's home.
- Reduce the noise levels in the shelters which will reduce the stress.
- Give shelter staff and volunteers the knowledge and tools to help dogs overcome some basic behavioural concerns.
- Have shelters have an Adoption Kennel card on each and every run which is at least A5 in size and can be in a folder or laminated. On the one side of the card is a picture of the dog and its name. At the bottom it would say ‘turn over to learn all about me’. On the back would be all the information required on the dog – this would be tailored to suit each shelter’s unique needs – here is a sample for the back.
- I am part of the FODS Shelter Initiative and am learning how to greet people politely, take food without snatching, Sit and Down, let you take items out my mouth with no problem, and walk nicely on lead – do consider me for adoption!
- Flo is xxxx years of age.
- Flo is a sterilized female (or if not sterilized the info on the sterilization and if shelter does this/included in cost etc)
- Flo has already received her xxxxxxx vaccinations
- As Flo is a female she would be better with a male dog
- If Frank is a boy, best match would be a female dog.
- Flo is friendly with other dogs
- Flo is friendly towards cats but we do not know if she has ever lived with them.
- Flo enjoys being with children (here if dog is not good with all kids you can specify what the dog can cope with)
- Flo is an active dog and would need at least 4 average walks per week (more would make her even happier)
- Flo loves chew toys and running to fetch a toy
- Flo can be a little nervous if you touch her paws, but we are teaching her how to overcome this and will show her new owners as well.
- Flo can be a little nervous of men, but we will show you how to help her overcome this and we are currently working on helping her to overcome.
- Flo just needs about a weekly brush and a bath once a month or so.
- Flo has been with us since Jan 2019 and was found abandoned on the side of the road.
- If you decide to take Flo home, we offer a training session showing you how to do all the different things she has learntIf any dogs have been adopted that are not in the Shelter Scheme, to use the time before the dogs go home to bring in as many of the basic exercises as possible
- Help fearful dogs overcome their fear of people and other dogs (or objects).
- Supplying owners with the www.friendsofthedog.co.za website ‘FODS Shelter Initiative’ which will be dedicated to shelter dogs and solving basic behaviour problems in the home environment and giving sound and scientific advice.Putting together a team of dog behaviourists who are willing to assist new owners should this prove necessary – at a greatly reduced fee – even better, is for one of the staff to undergo our Canine Behaviour and Training Diploma, at a vastly reduced price. This will give the person attending the ability of helping the dogs in the shelter and assisting with dogs in the home environment resulting in less dogs being sent to shelters and being able to help those in their area who have already adopted.
- The same option as above is available to those successfully completing the Shelter Course. The more qualified people we have around, the more dogs that can be saved from going into shelters and the more information and knowledge can be shared with the general public – this is turn will result in less dogs being given up for adoption.
2. Procedures
Please note that these are only suggestions and are not ‘written in stone’ so to speak. It is up to the individual shelters to see if they want to implement these procedures, or adapt them to suit their own unique circumstances. These are also ideas for all of you doing the course as to what direction can be taken to make the FODS Shelter Iniative more successful, and so that you gain an understanding as to what the shelter is trying to achieve and why. The shelter involved receives additional information on various topics which they can choose to incorporate or not.
Please note that these are only suggestions and are not ‘written in stone’ so to speak. It is up to the individual shelters to see if they want to implement these procedures, or adapt them to suit their own unique circumstances. These are also ideas for all of you doing the course as to what direction can be taken to make the FODS Shelter Iniative more successful, and so that you gain an understanding as to what the shelter is trying to achieve and why. The shelter involved receives additional information on various topics which they can choose to incorporate or not.
- As we will talk about below, apart from the dogs in the shelters care, visitors are definitely next in importance as these are the people that will give the dogs homes. We want to make the system as streamlined as possible so that the dogs are presented in their best light and that the Potential Adopters (from now on referred to as PA – Potential Adopters!) visit to the shelter is pleasant, professional and welcoming. Here are some guidelines to get started:
- Office or Wendy Hut (Welcome Hut) close to the entrance. This will ensure that when people arrive they are greeted warmly and their needs are established. The PA can then either be helped directly or directed to a member of staff or volunteer. If this is not available, a staff or Volunteer to always be available close to the entrance of the shelter to assist. A sign can even be erected to say - Welcome – please feel free to walk around, we will be with you as soon as possible so that visitors know that somebody will come to assist them. The indemnity board should be placed here to ensure that all visitors see it, and perhaps a few 'ground rules' for interacting with the animals.
- A Visitors book kept in the Welcome Hut where the PA’s details can be recorded. Not only will the shelter have on record what the PA is looking for, they will be able to add them onto a data base. From these lists the shelter can add PA’s onto the newsletters, see if they are interested in the Volunteer program or becoming a foster home, have a source of possible additional donations and very importantly the PA’s in turn may forward your information to other people and say that your shelter is the place where friends should go to look for their new dogs. This does involve a little bit more work initially, however, once set up is simple to maintain, and more than worth the effort. The book can be designed in the best manner for the shelter and a sample appears in the section on Forms.
- A list of dogs in the shelter that are up for adoption, where they are kept, and a brief description on each. This information can be enlarged upon as will be discussed below. However, it is important that the staff and volunteers who will be assisting have access to this information. Adhere to what the PA is looking for - if a small breed is wanted, don’t take them to any medium, large or giant breeds before taking them to the potential match!
- A ‘Meet your Match’ questionnaire. This can be filled in by potential PA’s as they arrive or if a staff or volunteer is walking around with PA’s, they can ask the questions and it is important to have pens available at all times. If funds allow, perhaps the shelter could have pens available that bear the name and website of the shelter - the PA could take this home with them. These can be pricey but are very good advertising. Do see if you have any contacts in this field who could perhaps arrange to have pens donated. The majority of people do not mind questions being asked, however it is not something for people to be forced into. This will narrow down the choice to be made and also lower the chances of a dog being chosen for a home that is inappropriate. The sample forms are supplied in a separate section and these can be tailored to the shelter's needs. An example of how the Meet your Match Questionnaire can be useful is, let's say, that a family fall in love with a lovely little Collie, or Collie cross, and decide this is the dog for them – however, on the form you see that this family can only spend an hour a week exercising the dog, and that the dog will be left at home by itself during the day. Immediately you will realize that there is a potential for behaviour problems to develop – a Collie needs substantial daily exercise and are often dogs that do not do well alone – potential separation anxiety, destructive behaviour and barking could easily develop here. The end result? The dog will be returned which will lead to heartbreak and an avoidable stressful situation for the dog. We also suggest that the Meet Your Match Questionnaire appears on your website, as this will help PA to select the dog that best meets their own, individual need.
- A simple A5 flyer telling PA’s about the FODS Shelter Initiative you are currently doing – a sample of this is in the Standard Form section and this can also be adapted to suit the individual shelters requirements.