Shelter Dogs Have Class
The Anti-Cruelty Society’s Shelter Dog Class was launched in February and this twice-weekly class has become an important addition to our comprehensive enrichment efforts. A priority of ours is to provide the animals in our care with daily guidance and appropriate opportunities to help ensure their ongoing social, mental, physical, and behavioral well-being. Shelter Dog Class is one of the programs that helps us meet dogs’ needs.
During class, dogs have the opportunity to work a treat-filled puzzle, practice basic manners and focus, and spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the dog adoption area. Long-term residents, shy dogs, high-energy dogs, dogs who are bored or frustrated, and those who may just need a little extra attention and TLC are all great candidates for class.
We are all aware that stress in a shelter has a direct impact on the health and well-being of the animals in our care. The constant noise and stimulation of the kennel environment can cause dogs to become increasingly aroused, anxious, or frustrated, which can lead to behaviors that are undesirable to adopters and will likely affect the dog’s ability to integrate quickly and successfully into a new home. Research shows that behavior problems are one of the most common reasons for owners to turn their dogs in to shelters, and dogs adopted from a shelter are at particularly high risk to be returned to a shelter if they do not acclimate quickly to the new home. Since adopted dogs often experience the most stress during the first few weeks in a new home, it is important that we do everything we can to help reduce stress and help dogs learn behaviors that increase their chances for success.
By providing social and mental stimulation that differs from their daily routine, Shelter Dog Class is one way in which we are working to help ease this stress and frustration while dogs await their forever home. Human participants enjoy a change of pace while learning positive training methods and helping dogs learn appropriate, polite behaviors. These behaviors increase the dogs’ chances for quick adoption and success in a new home. Additionally, the class affords dogs an opportunity to show us a side of themselves that we may not ordinarily see. We can, in turn, use what we learn from the dogs to help make great matches with potential adopters.
If you walk by the Grand Avenue Education & Training Center window on a Friday afternoon, be sure to stop and watch our shelter staff busy at work with their canine students. Shelter Dog Class is a fun experience for staff and dogs alike, but the benefits are so much greater than that!
To view a listing of the Society's programs and services, visit www.anticruelty.org/programs-services.
