Thank you for bringing this video to my attention, Diane.
One reason I love it is that it confirms the method I've used since I began volunteering at my shelter: be consistent, be positive, be ready to commit to a close bond with this dog (and accept the potential sadness when that dog gets adopted.)
I used to teach 8th grade, and being consistent and positive were key ingredients in my success there. At this point, it is in my nature. And, from the start of my work at the shelter, I deeply believed that if a dog had the experience of bonding with me, that would help them bond with others: I'm glad to have that believe confirmed.
Because I didn't have any experience with volunteering it never occurred to me to not focus on one dog instead of trying to get as many dogs out as possible. I generally have three dogs I work with in a time slot, but one I prioritize if my time is limited. Now that I've been through happy goodbyes fairly often, I generally only feel genuinely glad when a dog I've prioritized is adopted. I happened to be there recently when someone I had done a meet and greet with came and picked up "my dog" that was now their dog. The owner's dad could see the bond I had with the dog and offered to bring him to the shelter for visits. It was a very sweet offer : ) I told him that in a very short time his teenage daughter was going to be the dog' favorite person in the world, and he wouldn't miss me. And that's how it should be, I open my heart to a dog at the shelter precisely because I'm hoping to lose them via a good adoption. And, I've learned, there's always another great dog to fall in love with. (That said, I'm pretty sure I'll cry when Duke the Bloodhound is finally adopted, even though I'll be over the moon happy that he's finally found a home.)
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Eudora Watson
Volunteer
Potsdam Humane Society Shelter
New York
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-05-2023 06:35 AM
From: Diane Cuff
Subject: Maddie's U human- dog bonds
This is a great way for me to help clients better understand what their dog is telling them.
I use the terms Secure, Insecure, and Avoidant when describing the dog but refrained from furthering the conversation into the attachment because I didn't know how.
Now I do.
Except, I'd like to know the grid size specific to each square and the diameter of the circle so I can replicate it accurately.
Also, has it always been done in a small room, or have you also done it outside?
Sent from my iPhone
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
#CaseManagement*
#EducationandTraining
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Diane Cuff
Owner/operator
Waggin'Tails Boarding Kennels
TX
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