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In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

  • 1.  In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 04-11-2024 10:04 AM
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Does anyone have an in kennel enrichment plan for human aggressive dogs that must be held in the shelter for long periods of time due to dog bites? 


    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment


  • 2.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 04-12-2024 09:49 AM

    Yes!! This is my favorite part of my job. We regularly have anywhere from 1-6 (sometimes up to 12!) dogs we can't take out of their kennels, and they can be with us for months. We do sessions with them called "thru-kennel clicker training," where we work on kind of whatever the dog is feeling for the day. Sometimes it's just drive-by treats, other times it is working on cues like "watch me," sit/down/spin, etc. Lots of shaping behavior! I even was working on teaching one to jump through a hoop, though we never got past him tugging the hoop into the kennel ... :)

    Even day-to-day it's different depending on the dog, how they're feeling that day, etc. Our goal is just to keep them comfortable, engaged, active, and as best of a QOL as we can provide given the circumstances. I was really lucky to learn about protected contact cooperative care with some folks from the zoo, so I try to teach them things like "up" as well so we can look at paws, bellies, groin areas. We use large target sticks as well. It also helps build a relationship with specific people so if we do ever need to take them out for weights/exams, it's a little easier. 

    For enrichment, they get the same 3x daily enrichment as additional enrichment (prey scent, food, calming scent) like busy boxes/bowls, feeding on trays so it's not so easy, and really anything else we feel like giving out that day. In a bittersweet way, we do get to know these dogs very well so we get to know what they like and don't like. I'm also working on a more formal enrichment activity book for them that I'd be more than happy to share when it's done!



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    Katie Sheerin
    Humane Rescue Alliance
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  • 3.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 09-16-2024 09:44 AM

    I'm thinking about tackling this kind of task in my own shelter as it's become a QOL concern of mine recently. This information was super helpful! I would love to see a copy of the formal enrichment activity book when you complete it!



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    Sarah Reida
    Behavior Department Manager
    Kansas Humane Society
    Wichita KS
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  • 4.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 09-17-2024 08:54 AM

    I would love to! Shoot me an email at ksheerin@humanerescuealliance.org and I'll get it to you as soon as possible! I'm going out of town tonight but will be back on Sunday. :) 



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    Katie Sheerin
    Humane Rescue Alliance
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  • 5.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 09-18-2024 09:30 AM

    I love this idea! May I please email you as well for a copy? We've also been struggling with adequate enrichment for our quarantined long term care dogs.



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    Meghan Irwin
    Director Behaviour and Retail Operations
    Winnipeg Humane Society
    MB
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  • 6.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 09-18-2024 09:36 AM
    We start all our volunteers with in kennel training only.  The dog is inside and volunteer outside.  It's an enhanced "enrichment " program.  It's helps hone volunteer skills also. 
    Carol Sumbry  ACDBC, CPDT-KA

    Associated Certified Behavior Consultant/Certified Dog Trainer 


    Sent from iPhone 

    On Sep 18, 2024, at 11:32 AM, Meghan Irwin via Maddie's Pet Forum <Mail@maddiesfund.org> wrote:

    
    I love this idea! May I please email you as well for a copy? We've also been struggling with adequate enrichment for our quarantined long term... -posted to the "Animal Welfare Professionals" community





  • 7.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 01-20-2025 09:02 AM

    Awesome! Thanks for sharing!!! I would love the booklet if you've completed it!!!



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    Jessica Farley
    Volunteer Coordinator
    Friends of Ashland County Dog Shelter
    OH
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  • 8.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 9 days ago

    Hi! Would love to have your enrichment activity book if you've made it yet? Struggling with our court hold cases...



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    Mary Vargas
    Veterinarian
    Burlington County Animal Shelter
    NJ
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  • 9.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 6 days ago

    I know NJ cost of care was approved in 2023, how has that been going? I do not live in NJ so I haven't tried their petition process yet. I believe it's state law 4:22-46.3. Is your agency able to petition for cost of care and hopefully get them remanded to you if they cannot pay it? Should help with court holds.



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    Rachel Ide
    Animal Services Director
    Young-Williams Animal Center
    TN
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  • 10.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 7 days ago

    This is great work!!! We get a lot of behavior dogs and prioritize enrichment each day to keep them calmer and more comfortable in their kennels.



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    Stefanie Schmidt
    Animal Welfare Specialist
    Hearts Alive Village
    NV
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  • 11.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 04-12-2024 09:51 AM

    Did you read file uploaded Nov 10, 2021?

    https://forum.maddiesfund.org/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=6ebc59fa-e365-5121-046e-2c13dab554f2&forceDialog=0



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    rosann ]Boston Terrier Rescue of Florida
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  • 12.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 09-16-2024 09:26 PM

    We usually start with drive by treats and throw treats into the kennels when the dogs start being calm when you walk by or approach. Kongs with peanut butter are easy to give safely and we freeze them so they last longer. Often times the hard cases eat really fast, so we'll serve their food in a slow feeder. During summer we will freeze them for an extra treat. 



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    Stefanie Schmidt
    Animal Welfare Specialist
    Hearts Alive Village
    NV
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  • 13.  RE: In kennel enrichment for human aggressive court hold dogs

    Posted 7 days ago

    Usually they get enrichment 3 times a day, for some of our dogs who have been here the longest we've given them thrifted chairs to either give them something huge to tear up if they want or something nice to lounge on. We've filled troughs with dirt for them to dig or hung small tires or large toys from the tops of their kennels. Sometimes we may also give them towels from dirty cat kennels, especially from unneutered males.



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    Laurel Nelson
    Cat Welfare Supervisor
    Nebraska Humane Society
    NE
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