Archive for 'animal shelter'

Are You Enrolled in a Canine Life and Social Skills Program?

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 12:35 am  
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It looks like my pet parent is checking out the Canine Life and Social Skills Program to promote training using positive reinforcement. It has been been developed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers to strengthen relationships between us dogs and our pet parents. I am all for that. Strong relationships are what keep us in our homes in spite of what we do…

Puppy with Pillow Stuffing

I Didn't Do It!

how we look (dirty & scraggly), or how much maintenance we require (annual vet visits).

This program is similar to the American Kennel Club’s S.T.A.R. Puppy Program

American Kennel Club Socialization Training Activity and Responsibility

Socialization-Training-Activity-Responsibility

and Canine Good Citizen Program in that life skills are taught and then tested by certified evaluators.

Recognition for a Canine Good Citizen

Are You Ready to Become a Canine Good Citizen?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The APDT C.L.A.S.S. program is based on input from both dog owners and non-dog owners, shelter workers and professional dog trainers. It is a 3-level evaluation for our pet parents to demonstrate our real-life skills and their basic knowledge of how to handle and care for us. The positive, reward-based training minimizes the chance that we will be punished and increases the chances of having fun with our pet parents.

We can earn a B.A., M.A., or Ph.D. certificate as we progress with our skills. An entire curriculum is available for use by shelters to either enhance their present programs or to create a new one. The dogs waiting for homes can be evaluated for no cost and then listed in the C.L.A.S.S. web site ins the “dogs for adoption” section…train ‘em up and match ‘em up! Fees for other dogs are only $5.00

The APDT designed C.L.A.S.S. with the needs of shelter dogs in mind. This makes the shelter dogs more adoptable.Knowing basic skills will increase the shelter pet’s chances of staying in their new home.  The marketing behind the C.L.A.S.S. program will attract people to these precious pets.

So ask yourself these questions:

  • Can you wait at the door?
  • Come when you are called?
  • Allow your leash to be attached?
  • Walk loosely on a leash and stare adoringly at  your pet parent?
  • Meet people nicely when you are out and about?
  • Leave the “untouchable” items untouched?
  • Wait for your food bowl to be placed in front of you?
  • Stay in one spot?
  • Settle down your wiggle butt?

If you can do these things, then you are ready to become a B.A. with C.L.A.S.S.

Have your pet parent study the rules and requirements in the Student Handbook. The components of Canine Life and Social Skills includes educating your pet parent in responsible dog ownership and positive reinforcement, assessing real-life skills, encouraging ongoing training, expanding the opportunities for those of us that are well-behaved and supporting shelters and rescues.

Scientific research has shown that we dogs do not behave “badly”; we just exhibit normal dog behaviors to get our needs met or to resolve conflict. We don’t feel guilty at all because we don’t know right from wrong. We just know what works and we figure out a way to get what we feel that we need.

Your pet parent will have to pass a multiple-choice test on dog information and ownership. They will learn how to relate to you by setting clear boundaries for you rather than confronting you with drama.

Positive, reward-based training works! How have your pet parents “trained” you?

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia

Be Grateful for the Best of Pets

Monday, December 5th, 2011 at 6:45 pm  
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Our pet parents are grateful when they see the best in us. We wag our tails as we listen to them tell the other pet parents on our walks just how smart, cute, agile and comforting we are.  Sometimes though, they laugh when they talk about the worst of our behavior rather than the best that they see in us pets.

With both parents in a household working, it is difficult to add a pet to the family.  Other pets may be easier to maintain than we dogs are because they don’t require the outside exercise. Children who love pets are discouraged from having a dog of their own for these reasons so I adopt children without pets. I want them to learn about the best side of pet companionship.

My Adopted Boy

I first locate grandparents in my neighborhood that have visiting grandkids.  Then I make myself look like a big stuffed animal and wear my brightest smile. This little boy has no fear of me so I cuddle up to him. He met me when he was just a baby. By then, his big sister had gotten over most of her fear of me. In fact, she introduced him to me.

His sister decided that she wanted to be in the picture with both of us. However, you can see that she is still a little bit reserved around me.  As she leans to the right, I stay near my adopted boy. I also lay my ears close to my head around her so I look more like a friendly puppy. These children keep me socialized and I keep them well-adjusted so that they learn how to behave around dogs.

My Adopted Children

My Adopted Children

Wise parents who are not able to welcome pets into their homes take their children to places where friendly dogs hang out…like dog shows and dog parks…or just around the neighborhood. The many “no dogs allowed” signs at public parks and playgrounds keep us off limits to the children playing there…something about doggie poo.

I was a Thanksgiving Day gift (you can read my story in The Gratitude Book Project:Best of Pets). Some shelters around the nation are promoting a program whereby families can take a pet home over the holidays and then return the pet to the shelter after the holidays.  This allows the pets to be in a family atmosphere and gives the shelter workers and volunteers a break.  It also allows families to see how well a pet will fit (or not) into their family. Although the pets may like the break, I doubt that they will appreciate being returned to the shelter atmosphere.

Responsible dog breeders do not advertise “Christmas puppies” for sale. They want their puppies to go to a forever home rather than be an impulse gift to please the momentary whims of children during the holidays. This can be a stressful time for everyone rather than the ideal time to bring a peeing, pooping, whining puppy into the house.  Of course, puppies only behave this way because their needs are not being met…too many other toys on hand to play with during the holidays. Households are unlikely to see the Best of Pets unless they have been brought up responsibly.

So my words of wisdom to parents of children that would like to be grateful for the best of pets this holiday season, are to buy a stuffed animal for your children with a gift card attached containing a promise for the future. For a present of the best of pets now, buy The Gratitude Book Project:Best of Pets for children of all ages. I highly recommend it. The profits from the book will benefit the ASPCA.

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia Johnson

The Allegany County Animal Shelter *Save A Pet* Vision for the Future

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011 at 2:52 pm  
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Thirty-eight years ago, an estimated 90,000 homeless pets were euthanized across the country every month. Gertrude Maxwell, through her Save-A-Pet website, has been credited with saving more than 70,000 dogs and cats since then. Her campaign included spaying, neutering and saving as many pets as possible.

Gertrude Maxwell died recently but her vision has ignited a firestorm in a small town in Western Maryland. Animal lovers were unhappy with the response from the Allegany County Animal Shelter staff, forcing change to happen. Volunteers were hoping that the shelter could become a no-kill shelter.  They have stepped forward to assist in pet care until new staff can be hired. Change is constant.  Some pets have been fostered and others have been adopted. Some volunteers have already burned out and others are frustrated…yet remain for the sake of the homeless pets.

Watch this pet video that was taken shortly after the upset to hear about the duties of animal-shelter  volunteers:

Living in the moment,

Schatzi

Pet Companion to animal lover Amelia