Animal Welfare Professionals

We are currently working with an Aussie mix who is a wonderful, smart dog with people he knows but has shelter-related fear aggression displayed toward people he does not know, successfully scaring them away.

He responds well to a behavioral based trainer and we take him on public outings to expose him to more places and people in a safe, controlled manner.  Model citizen when he us told to be one.

He is young and at ease once he knows anyone, loves other dogs, and responds well to the structure of training.

Are there any tips or strategies organizations have used to find the right home, continue training, and follow- up to ensure a successful and safe outcome?  We could use help in strategizing for his future.

A few thoughts:

*have him meet new people only in places where the environmental stimulus is low (visual, noises, smells), ideally somewhere he already feels safe and under threshold. 
*meet new people and dogs on parallel walks, starting at a safe distance and closing the gap when he's giving comfortable body language signals 

*muzzle training for another level of safety if needed, but try not to ever have him meet others if he's showing signs of stress, be ok with walking away and trying again later if any signs of trigger stacking shows up

*have anyone who has successfully handled him keep a written log of what works and what doesn't, and share that with potential adopters, before they meet him so that they understand why he's handled in certain ways. 
*if he's dog friendly, the best way to meet him might be if another dog tags along to help him feel settled.

*have whoever is meeting him carry a treat pouch and  gently toss small treats away and behind him to give him space.  The first few meetings may be short and sweet to build trust. Try to end on a good note every time. 
I hope this helps! 

We are currently working with an Aussie mix who is a wonderful, smart dog with people he knows but has shelter-related fear aggression displayed toward people he does not know, successfully scaring them away.

He responds well to a behavioral based trainer and we take him on public outings to expose him to more places and people in a safe, controlled manner.  Model citizen when he us told to be one.

He is young and at ease once he knows anyone, loves other dogs, and responds well to the structure of training.

Are there any tips or strategies organizations have used to find the right home, continue training, and follow- up to ensure a successful and safe outcome?  We could use help in strategizing for his future.

A few thoughts:

*have him meet new people only in places where the environmental stimulus is low (visual, noises, smells), ideally somewhere he already feels safe and under threshold. 
*meet new people and dogs on parallel walks, starting at a safe distance and closing the gap when he's giving comfortable body language signals 

*muzzle training for another level of safety if needed, but try not to ever have him meet others if he's showing signs of stress, be ok with walking away and trying again later if any signs of trigger stacking shows up

*have anyone who has successfully handled him keep a written log of what works and what doesn't, and share that with potential adopters, before they meet him so that they understand why he's handled in certain ways. 
*if he's dog friendly, the best way to meet him might be if another dog tags along to help him feel settled.

*have whoever is meeting him carry a treat pouch and  gently toss small treats away and behind him to give him space.  The first few meetings may be short and sweet to build trust. Try to end on a good note every time. 
I hope this helps! 

We are currently working with an Aussie mix who is a wonderful, smart dog with people he knows but has shelter-related fear aggression displayed toward people he does not know, successfully scaring them away.

He responds well to a behavioral based trainer and we take him on public outings to expose him to more places and people in a safe, controlled manner.  Model citizen when he us told to be one.

He is young and at ease once he knows anyone, loves other dogs, and responds well to the structure of training.

Are there any tips or strategies organizations have used to find the right home, continue training, and follow- up to ensure a successful and safe outcome?  We could use help in strategizing for his future.

We are currently working with an Aussie mix who is a wonderful, smart dog with people he knows but has shelter-related fear aggression displayed toward people he does not know, successfully scaring them away.

He responds well to a behavioral based trainer and we take him on public outings to expose him to more places and people in a safe, controlled manner.  Model citizen when he us told to be one.

He is young and at ease once he knows anyone, loves other dogs, and responds well to the structure of training.

Are there any tips or strategies organizations have used to find the right home, continue training, and follow- up to ensure a successful and safe outcome?  We could use help in strategizing for his future.

#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment

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Jennifer Ciszecky
Volunteer
Polka Dogz Pet Rescue
FL
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We are currently working with an Aussie mix who is a wonderful, smart dog with people he knows but has shelter-related fear aggression displayed toward people he does not know, successfully scaring them away.

He responds well to a behavioral based trainer and we take him on public outings to expose him to more places and people in a safe, controlled manner.  Model citizen when he us told to be one.

He is young and at ease once he knows anyone, loves other dogs, and responds well to the structure of training.

Are there any tips or strategies organizations have used to find the right home, continue training, and follow- up to ensure a successful and safe outcome?  We could use help in strategizing for his future.