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Shelter Dogs
Dear All! I have just started volunteering at our local SPCA and will be walking the dogs, as well as volunteering time as a dog trainer. I’m excited! My questions from a volunteer are below. I’d love to hear your ideas and suggestions! Thanks so much in advance!
1. is there a more productive way of entering the kennel and leashing a very excited jumpy dog? calmness, treats, moving slowly, turning my back, etc. don’t seem to help a lot;
2. what is the best way to help a dog who has their “brakes” on when returning to the shelter (don’t want to go back)? Again, calmness, treats don’t always work.
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6 Replies
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@sandy Congrats on your new journey!
Great shelter environment examples that can be encountered everyday!
1. My first initial thought is, the jumping has likely has been re-inforced, by being leashed and going out in an excited state. Is there a plan is place for working towards a goal of minimizing the jumping behavior?
Next, My question is, are the dogs already wearing collars or harnesses or, do you have to put them on?
2. I would look into why the dog possible does not want to go back. Are they going back the same way they left? Do they have to pass something potentially scary to them? Do they stop at the same spot each time? What does their body language look like?
Is it possible to return a different way? Come in from the left side vs the right?
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Hi @sandy — congrats on your new volunteer gig!
I wonder if it’d be an option to first use a slip-rope lead to slide over the dog’s head…? If that’s an option, you can open the kennel door just a small amount (with one foot used as a ‘doorstop’) to slip that lead on the dog, thus avoiding the initial jumping onslaught that would occur if you had to enter the kennel. Then, do you think you could get the dog to find and consume *superb* treats (like fresh proteins) that you place on the floor of the kennel, doing this for a while to help the dog settle? After that, it will probably be easier to don the usual equipment used for walks.
I know some shelter dogs don’t wish to return to their kennel because they find it stressful there, or they’d like to have more attention or freedom and exercise. Here are a few thoughts — could the dog get a yummy stuffed Toppl or Kong each time they return? Could you spend some time inside the kennel afterward, so the dog isn’t immediately alone again, maybe just petting or massaging, or working on some simple training?
Another idea: after you return dog to kennel, can you do some training on sit-to-be-leashed, plus exits and re-entries a bunch of times so the dog gets some practice doing it right when he’s not chock-full of energy and excitement?I bet you’ll get some great input from members — looking forward to reading other ideas.
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Hi @virginiad Thank you so much! We are trying all of these strategies, and definitely bringing in some hot dog wieners and real chicken! ????
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Can’t wait to hear how things go Sandy! Keep us posted.
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I have not had any shelter experience, so I’m super excited to hear the answers to your questions! @sandy ! Congratulations on doing such a noble journey with dogs. ☺️
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I did some shelter work and Virginia’s comments are worth noting and did all she suggested. I did not go in the kennel to train because was in a workshop and had time constraints. I did treat the dogs in the kennels often – even the ones I did not work with – just to give a positive experience with a stranger, particularly if they were sitting nicely. I would walk up and down the kennel aisles treating while many were just sitting in their kennel. I would praise the sit, treat through the slats of the door and keep moving to the next kennel hoping to make an impact to reinforce a good behavior and make a good association. Using the slip lead and scattering high value treats before, during and after securing the dog for me was the best way “calm” the dog realizing most shelter dogs are highly stressed and not calm at all. I did not have problems with them going back in. I did work about 20-30 minutes with each dog and threw hot dogs and cheese in the kennel when they returned.
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