Your instincts are spot on! Hugging is
not fear free or low stress for all pets. :)
Consent and choice are critically important for shelter pets who have had a lot of choice taken from them with the nature of kennel housing.
Is your team familiar with the Fear Free Shelters course? Would be a great response point to have all of your team members Fear Free Shelters certified to support your concerns and claims. The course and certification is free for all shelter and rescue employees/volunteers.
https://fearfreeshelters.com/The course is really helpful and well structured. Great lunch and learn opportunity for staff and volunteers alike.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions about this!
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Heather Kalman (she/her), CPDT-KA, SBA, ABCDT
Embedded Data Coordinator
American Pets Alive!, Human Animal Support Services
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-15-2022 07:30 AM
From: Johanna Humbert
Subject: Pet Dog Trainers and Shelter Dogs
I am curious how others have dealt with trainers who insist that they could train "all the dogs here to be obedient" if given the opportunity.
We have a trainer in our community who is positive-based, but uses some techniques that would worry us with a shelter dog. She asks the person training to sit on the floor and gather the dog into their lap, "hugging" the dog until it relaxes.
That may work with your well-loved pet, but I assure you that some of the dogs currently in our shelter would freak out at being restrained by a stranger. And frankly, rightly so.
It seems this trainer may be spreading some falsehoods about our shelter based on "they don't use my methods." Can anyone feel my pain?
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
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Johanna Humbert
Michiana Humane Society
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