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  • 1.  Behavior training for long-stay shelter dogs in increase chances of adoption

    Posted 19 days ago

    Hi everyone, We have a couple of dogs who have been with us for quite a while.  While our staff is dedicated to finding them homes, we lack the time to do the serious one-on-one training they need.  Kennel stress combined with their length of stay are both compounding their behavior issues. Does anyone know of an organization or individual that could help?  I've heard of a training facility that would be able to take one or both dogs but the cost is currently outside of our budget.  Any help appreciated.  Thanks.


    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment

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    Jody Purdom
    Development Director
    Pets Lifeline
    CA
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  • 2.  RE: Behavior training for long-stay shelter dogs in increase chances of adoption

    Posted 14 days ago

    Hi, Jody:
    It sounds like, depending on the behavior concerns, foster homes might be the best answer. We have a new course on fostering dogs with behavioral concerns which includes ready-made foster protocols and suggestions for placements. https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/fostering-dogs-with-behavior-concerns-supporting-dogs-and-people . 



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    Erika Shaffer
    Instructional Designer
    Maddie's Fund
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Behavior training for long-stay shelter dogs in increase chances of adoption

    Posted 14 days ago

    The link seems to be erroring out, it works when I manually copy it and remove the trailing period though



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    Matt Montes, CBCC-KA
    Behavior and Training Specialist
    Rancho Coastal Humane Society
    Encinitas CA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Behavior training for long-stay shelter dogs in increase chances of adoption

    Posted 13 days ago

    Thanks for pointing that out, Matt!



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    Erika Shaffer
    Instructional Designer
    Maddie's Fund
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Behavior training for long-stay shelter dogs in increase chances of adoption

    Posted 13 days ago

    Hello Jody,

    I'm not sure if your organization has active social media or offers any perks to community partners, but at my shelter, we've found success with a partnership that might inspire ideas. We collaborate with a local dog training business by offering them social media promotion in exchange for their help with five dogs per year that have behavioral issues hindering adoption.

    This training facility runs a "board and train" program, where they work with our dogs for four weeks on essential skills like leash training, crate training, and addressing issues like separation anxiety. It's been an incredibly valuable, mutually beneficial partnership for both organizations.

    Throughout the dog's stay, both our shelter and the training facility share progress updates on social media, creating excitement within the community. This not only generates interest in the dogs but often results in their adoption-sometimes even while they're still in training!

    Hopefully this is helpful!

    Lauren Carver 

    Fundraising and Development Associate  
    Butte Humane Society  



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    Lauren Carver
    Fundraising and Development Associate
    Butte Humane Society
    CA
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Behavior training for long-stay shelter dogs in increase chances of adoption

    Posted 8 days ago

    Hello Lauren,

    What an amazing program! I am an Animal Cruelty Investigator for the Humane Society in my county in Ohio. We do not have a shelter, therefore, our counties Dog Pound houses any dogs that I seize due to Abuse or Neglect. I have a very good relationship with our Dog Wardens in our county due to the closeness that we work. My fiancé' and I recently adopted a dog from the Dog Pound that had been caught by the Dog Warden along with 2 littermates and what they suspected was the daddy of the puppies that were aged at approximately 11 months at the time of her adoption. Due to her displayed behaviors, I felt that she experienced quite extensive physical abuse. After adopting her we have concluded that along with the physical abuse she has also been ferrel. We are unable to afford the estimate of $3000 that I have been given for training. so, we have been working very hard to overcome her issues. Our pound is not equipped to temperament or behavior test the dogs prior to adoption. So, unless the dog is aggressive behaviors go untested thus the adopter is unaware of issues the dog has.  They are unable to offer any assistance in training to help off-set the cost. It would be absolutely amazing if all shelters or dog pounds could offer a similar program to yours! 



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    Teresa Swisher
    Animal Cruelty Investigator
    Carroll County Humane Society
    OH
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  • 7.  RE: Behavior training for long-stay shelter dogs in increase chances of adoption

    Posted 8 days ago

    Hi Jody,

    I'd go to the IAABC.org, petprofessionalguild.com, and apdt.com websites. Find trainers who are within a reasonable distance from you and reach out to them to see if they might be interested in partnering with you in some way.  I see that you're in the Sonoma CA area. You might want to reach out to Devan Amundsen at AnimalWelfareUnited.com - he's local to you and might be available to do some consulting if you have staff or volunteers to implement a plan.



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    Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB
    Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
    Director of Shelter Solutions
    Maddie's Fund
    Pleasanton CA
    9258608284
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    Original Message


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