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  • 1.  Staff/Volunteer Training on Bite Prevention

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 02-02-2024 09:01 AM
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    I'm hoping for some guidance regarding online videos or trainings which focus on bite prevention in animal shelter workers and volunteers. Currently, we have one staff member and one volunteer who have been bitten on 4 seperate occassions, non-severe, each within the last year. The work and initiative they provide to our organization is invaluable and I do not want to let either of them go because of this but insurance is asking for some additional criteria. Ultimately, we need to do what is best for the animals and the people who care for them. Incidents like the these are detrimental to the welfare of the animal and their adoptability, not to mention the health and safety of the individual and those around them. 

    I would love if anyone has resources they could share to get us on the right path. I plan to put required training and resources into a procedure for when an employee/volunteer receives a bite, additional training will be documented. 

    Thanks!


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 2.  RE: Staff/Volunteer Training on Bite Prevention

    Posted 02-03-2024 02:02 AM

    I would love this as well for our fosters!



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    Holly McManus
    Co-Founder
    Salty Dogs Senior Animal Rescue
    Pawleys Island SC
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  • 3.  RE: Staff/Volunteer Training on Bite Prevention

    Posted 02-03-2024 05:41 AM

    Robert Cabral has invested a lot of time and effort into saving shelter dogs via training.  He has a lot of free videos on YouTube (Robert Cabral - YouTube), and he also has a structured course (not free) (Shelter Dog Training Program - Robert Cabral).  He wrote a book, "Desperate Dogs - Determined Measures" specific to shelter dogs and I believe rescues and shelters can get a free copy, but it is available on Amazon.



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    Cindy Huth
    Volunteer
    Denison Animal Welfare Group (DAWG)
    TX
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  • 4.  RE: Staff/Volunteer Training on Bite Prevention

    Posted 02-04-2024 08:08 AM

    Thanks Cindy, I checked out Cabral's website.  He had a quick video about redirected aggression and covered the topic in about a minute. His description of the behavior and advice for reducing it was fine as far as it went, but didn't offer much depth. Also, I see he has a video on introducing e-collars, and one that sets up the strawman of "Positive ONLY" training. I didn't watch it, but he probably devotes most of his time knocking it. For me, looking into Mike Shikashio's https://aggressivedog.com  proved more helpful.



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    Eudora Watson
    Volunteer
    Potsdam Humane Society Shelter
    New York
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Staff/Volunteer Training on Bite Prevention

    Posted 02-03-2024 05:20 PM

    This video was made by me a few years ago and is required viewing for all shelter volunteers, though it is feline only -  Feline Communication: Preventing Human-Directed Aggression in the Shelter



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    Sara Post
    Operations Director
    Feline Rescue
    Saint Paul, MN
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  • 6.  RE: Staff/Volunteer Training on Bite Prevention

    Posted 02-03-2024 11:48 PM

    Hi,

    Here is the link to Mike Shikashio. He is a well-known and well-respected trainer who is super knowledgeable about bites and aggression -  his approach is science-based and he does not use aversives. https://aggressivedog.com  He shares videos on his website (use the link). I am sure you can also reach out to him for more one-on-one help. Good Luck!



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    Julielani Chang
    The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
    Davis CA
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  • 7.  RE: Staff/Volunteer Training on Bite Prevention

    Posted 02-04-2024 02:03 AM
    Thank you for the reference! Have a great day��
    Holly


    Original Message


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