Cindy Bruckart, CPDT

I’ve been doing various sorts of dog play groups for over ten years. But conducting play groups in the shelter environment is a much more challenging prospect. Having worked through some of those challenges, I’ve decided to share my solutions in an upcoming seminar, Beyond Socialization – Using Shelter Play Groups for Training Assessment. Not only will I be talking about challenges and solutions, but also the potential pitfalls of shelter play groups and how play can be used to better serve the dog and the adopting public.

Here’s an overview of some of the challenges I’ll be discussing:

The problems facing the modern dog are the same problems facing the planet, wildlife, government and economics. They all have one common denominator. Interestingly, this common problem is also the common solution. It all comes down to human behavior.

Dogs are not in a position to make decisions on where they live, how they live or even if they live. Their fate and welfare are in the hands of humans. This can be a very fortunate place to be if the individual dog finds its way to caring people. Surely there are many other species who could only hope for the level of concern that is given to our beloved canines.

In dog training there is a lot of talk about impulse control.  I believe it’s such a big issue because most dog owners seek help when their dogs become adolescents, which is also the time when impulse control is at its lowest.  This is even more the case with an adolescent who has had no practice in puppyhood.  If you work with shelter dogs, I’ve just described the back-story of most relinquished or stray dogs.

Teaching longer sits and downs, introducing stays and leave its, are all part of developing impulse control in dogs.  Working on loose leash walking and eye contact are also helpful.  Basically, anything that encourages and rewards the dog to put aside what he’d like to do (pull toward something, look at something other than you, move toward you when you walk away, bolt through a door) and instead do some silly (to the dog) thing you’ve asked him to do.

I've changed the rules at my house. I've done something that I never thought I would do. I've decided that I no longer want to share my bed with four dogs.

I've also decided that the cats in my house need some space that belongs to just them. For the past three days I have had a baby gate at the end of the hall leading to my bedroom. When I go to bed I leave my dogs in the living room where they have their choice of furniture or dog beds. There has been some confusion and even some complaining, but everyone is adjusting.

I've also converted the spare bedroom (which is bed-less) into a cat sanctuary. There are scratching posts, kitty condos, a litter box and food. The cat room is also beyond the baby gate, therefore beyond the reach of any dogs. This was inspired by my newly adopted dog who hasn't yet figured out the rules about dealing with cats.

Pictured:  IRIS - Available for adoption at Multnomah County Animal Shelter

ADOPTED!!

I've been working full time at the shelter for six months now.  In my years as a dog trainer I really thought that I was completely in touch with the shelter world.  I've fostered dogs.  I've helped to re-home client dogs.  I've re-homed a couple of my own dogs.  I've always understood that the puppies in my classes might not live with their current families forever and it was my job to do everything I could to ensure that they would.  I counseled many a client who was ready to make that trip to the county shelter.  And of course I had lots of connections with colleagues working in a shelter or rescue who were constantly sending me info about homeless pets.

Chance came into the Multnomah County Animal Shelter smelling of cigarettes, yeast and urine. She had an itchy, inflamed skin condition that had caused patchy hair loss. Her previous owner had been incarcerated for some time and family members didn’t want her.

Her first few days with shelter staff and volunteers involved growling, cowering, moving away from people and lots of submissive urination. When she did finally allow a staff member to pet her chest a little, the pain of her inflamed skin caused her to yip, move away and pee.

Over the next couple of weeks Chance was given health exams, special baths and medical treatment for her skin condition and yeast infection in her ears. She often licked the faces of her caregivers and enjoyed several tummy rubs. However, she was still a bit shy and doing a lot of submissive urination. Both things that tend to keep a dog from being adopted.

At the beginning of May I started an amazing adventure with Multnomah County Animal Services in Troutdale, OR.  This Open Paw shelter asked if I would be interested in running a shelter play group program to provide further enrichment for their canine guests.  You bet I would!

I've had years of experience with off-leash dog play, but this was going to be something very different.  Remember, we often have no idea of a dog's history before it reaches the shelter.  In dog daycare or group classes we have humans who can often tell us everything about their dog's experiences from the beginning of their dog's life.  Shelter dogs can't sit down and tell us what they know, where they've been and if they are going to be friendly in a play group.

Okay, so I failed miserably at keeping everyone updated with Nike’s week of Puppy Camp.  This was mostly due to my underestimating the energy it would take to get through the week!  Of course I’m not new to puppy training, but every now and then you get a more challenging pup that needs a little extra effort.  Nike was that pup, and I enjoyed every second of it!

I mentioned her fear issues in my first post.  This remained my main concern throughout the week.  I took her to classes with me and to many public places.  If you’ve done this kind of work before, you know that you are starting at square one in each new location. 

I am doing a One Week Puppy Camp with the most adorable Great Dane.  Her name is Nike and she is almost 16 weeks old.  I thought some of you might be interested to follow her training progress over the next seven days.

Nike's parents contacted me because they needed help with house training, jumping up and puppy biting.  When I asked about her house training progress thus far, I was told that they'd being doing everything right with no results.  In fact, they'd been taking her out to pee every 20 minutes and were still having accidents.  I immediately suggested a vet visit and sure enough our little girl has a urinary tract infection.  This resulted in a prescription for antibiotics and one day's delay.  No big deal.

I’ve written before about my blind, deaf, diabetic, 15 year old JRT.  Yes, he’s still with us.  We thought we would lose him a couple of times, but in true Jack Russell fashion he keeps bouncing back.  As I carried him outside to pee for the sixth time today it dawned on me that he isn’t a 15 year old dog, but more of a 15 year old puppy.

He’s lost his eyesight but his nose works just as well as it always has.  This leads him into many a jam that he can’t find his way out of on his own.  After rescuing him from several tight spots, missteps and near misses, we’ve decided that he needs constant supervision.  So, now he has an ex-pen set up in the living room with a bed, toys, water and even some potty pads in case we don’t get him outside at the right time.  He doesn’t signal that he needs to pee anymore; he just takes a few steps and goes.  I figure he’s earned the right.