I would also like to learn from what you all do and offer so to bring that into my community as well. (We have no county shelter).
Is the bottom line that training needed within shelters is outsourced, a logistics problem, a financial burden, but integral for successful adoptions?
The biggest asset for understanding, evaluating, managing and modifying dog behavior is observation.
I love the direction the industry has taken over the last 20 years, and I believe I have something still needed to add in this area that's lacking and will increase each persons abilities to meet the needs of/ understand/ train/ help more dogs and their families meet and/or stay together. And, it isn't dependent on money. It can actually generate it.
Absolutely, dogs teach us! We learn from our experiences, which I especially value in others when leading down a common path. I have a long and unique history with dogs!
As a professional, I built around me with dog perspective in mind so I can provide each and every dog what it needs, and more, maintain daily, where we can all learn about each other naturally, communicate safely and effectively, and build on a solid foundation. Safety first. Happy dogs. Working together.
How can a shelter full of untrained dogs get what they need (at any level, from any level of handler)to increase their chances of successful lasting adoptions, especially if living in an environment non-conducive for learning? (Even in the best environment, dogs usually begin in an unavailable mental state, so "training" starts at a stand still. ) The dog still needs handling and care. How can that be done comfortably and productively for dog and handler? And at little to no additional (if any) cost? Is this the question?
If so, I'd like to help.
If not, what am I missing?
I believe shelters should be and can be the epitome of dog care and understanding. Management Modification and Training are active in the routine I provide for all the dogs in my care. All 3 are of equal importance for my (and their) success but all the attention I see out there seems to fall under "training". (And$$).That's just a tree in the forest. And what each dog needs is not an "extra".
If I can do it, by myself, others can too, (do what?), and a team will surpass me with endless opportunities. It won't disappoint. It should be able to self-sustain. My end goal isn't the training that gets/keeps dogs in homes, or what makes me successful in my business. It's the emphasis on providing for and understanding dogs and their needs, developing positive communication to achieve baseline training, and solid relationship attachments, all part of routine care.
If you know of shelter dogs struggling to cope, or shelters struggling for help, they don't have to be. Every dog should feel safe and comfortable and improve in their environment daily, meaning learning needed skills while receiving care, and all caretakers should love being in and working in the dogs' environment too. If not, changes should / must be made.
What changes, if any, would you (collectively) like to see for shelter dogs and staff? What are they already getting? Is it good enough? What do you think they need? Where is the focus?
More importantly, I don't want any adopted dog from shelter or rescue to be involved in a fatal dog mauling. Dogsbite.com has a statistic that I think was 17% of dogs involved in fatal maulings over 13 years were adopted thru shelters or rescues. (Not all pit type dogs) Controversially, this statistic should be and can be Zero %. This is not a behavior training problem, and shouldn't be overlooked. Any questions about this or how to get there?
I am 100% responsible for the dogs in my care. Every shelter and rescue should be too.
I'd like to know, what are the daily experiences like for the shelter dogs you know of? What does their day/week look like? Are they mostly waiting for someone other than existing staff to come in to 'get out' or 'train'? How /how often are the dogs observed being themselves outside of a closed room or not on a leash? How much direct human interaction / handling does each dog encounter on an average day? How often does a dog move out of its sleeping area and what types of spaces are available?
I believe, if people out there, especially those already interested in understanding and doing the work, are given a maintainable shelter/work environment where dogs are given time and space to freely and safely express themselves (good, bad, and ugly), acclimate, socialize at various distances, …, dogs will be healthier (mentally, physically, emotionally), more adoptable, and people will become (better) knowledgeable /thoughtful "trainers". Any outside training help can advance and contribute, but there's no dependency on them.
As we watch, care for, and interact with dogs, they help us to better understand dogs in general, as individuals, how to best provide, protect, teach and learn from them. Currently, from what I can tell, shelter dogs also need an environment that adheres to LIMA as well as any chosen methodology.
Is any of this up for discussion?
Plus, there are so many avenues to study, I'm particularly curious about biology of behavior and the brain. 'My' environment /system /routine can encourage and support further research. There's science behind it. Its replicable. It's adaptable. It's loved by the dogs I keep and the people who know them. It's taught me more than I can say, but I'm trying.
I'd like to become part of the team. Is anyone interested in talking about anything I've posted?
Thank you,
Diane Cuff
Nacogdoches Tx