LEAD HANDLER TRAINING 3100 Cherry Hill Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (734) 662-5585 www.hshv.org
Becoming Certified as a Lead Handler Completion of Handler Certification Review Lead Handler Self-Study Training Materials Complete Lead Handler Training Log- at least 20 hours of play groups as Lead Handler under staff observation Completion of final play group assessment Take Certification Quiz to access overall understanding of training concepts
THE LEAD HANDLER
The Roles Within Play Groups-A Review Lead Handler- Manages the play group. Reviews all notes from behavior prior to a play session. Provides a briefing to everyone in the play group. Decides when to bring dogs into the yard. Handler- Assistant to the lead. Extra set of eyes on the dogs. Takes direction from Lead Handler on when to use interruption/correction tools. Runner- Transports dogs to and from the play yard. Waits for direction from Lead Handler on when to let dogs in/out of the gate. Helps with CPR (continuous play recovery) after a dog fight. Behavior Team-Provides the play group list. Volunteers do not decide which dogs are in each group.
Play Group Structure-How Many People in the Yard? How many people in the yard will depend on the size of the play group. Groups of less than 5 dogs 1 Lead Handler At least 1 Handler Optional: 1 Handler shadowing Groups of more than 5 dogs 1 Lead Handler 2 Handlers Optional: 1 Handler shadowing Runners-no limit in either group. Runners are to remain outside of the play yard or in the holding area, not in the yard.
Play Group Environment Lead Handler sets the tone for the group. Talking and Handling of dogs should be minimized as dogs should be focused on each other. Cell phone should be put away to avoid distractions. Runners should remain on the outside of the play yard unless they are bringing up or putting away a dog.
Working With Volunteers As Lead Handler, you will be directly working with volunteers. If there is ever a concern about another volunteer, please inform the volunteer department instead of discussing with other volunteers. Be respectful and courteous.
TOOLS FOR THE LEAD HANDLER
Tools to Manage Play Groups Playgroup Tub Lead Handler binder Play group selections from the behavior team (Note: Lead Handlers will not choose which dogs participate in each group, but will use lists provided.) Notes sheet to document your session Walkie Communication Tools (i.e. spray bottle, air horn, shake can, fire extinguisher) Steps for Handling a Dog Fight reference guide
MANAGING DOG FIGHTS
When a Fight Happens Immediately call for assistance using the emergency word Dog Fight and provide your current location. (I.e. Dog fight in upper play yard. ). Use the following methods to break up a fight Sound air horn. Try spray shield, which may be effective. If near a hose or water source, attempt to either hose or splash water on the dogs. Try the wheelbarrow method As a last resort, try using a fire extinguisher Once the dogs are safely apart and separated and has calmed down enough to grab for the collar, each person should re-leash the dog.
When a Fight Happens Do s Do remain calm. Do remain respectful to other staff and volunteers. Do provide guidance to other volunteers to keep everyone safe. Do readily take directives from staff. Do use proven and humane methods for breaking up dog fights. Do allow staff to help and assist. Do report the incident to the volunteer department.
When a Fight Happens Don ts Do not reach for collars and/or faces when dogs are near each other. Do not hit, kick, or punch either dog, this will only escalate the situation and violates our policies. Do not put your body in between the dogs in an effort to break them up. Do not pick up the dog, this could only leave it vulnerable to the other dog and may give it the opportunity to bite you in a vulnerable spot (namely your face).
Breaking Up a Fight-The Wheelbarrow Method Try and pull the dogs apart. It is important that both people (one person per dog) perform the technique simultaneously: Grab the dog on the back legs, closer to the upper thigh. This will allow you control of the dog and give the dogs less of a chance bite the person trying to pull apart. Stand up while holding dog s back legs and simultaneously rotate clockwise, thus rotating the dog s hips/body to disorient and throw the dogs off balance. Each person must attempt to drag the dogs in different directions so the dogs can no longer see each other.
HOW TO BREAK UP A DOG FIGHT 3100 Cherry Hill Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (734) 662-5585 www.hshv.org
Breaking Up a Fight-Using a Fire Extinguisher 1. Decision to use should primarily be made by staff and as a last resort when severe injury or death of a dog is possible 2. Make sure extinguisher is properly charged 3. Pull Pin, hold extinguisher upright 4. Stand about 6 feet away from dogs 5. Depress and squeeze lever 6. Spray away from dogs first to try to startle 7. Sweep side-to-side Yellow knob should be in green section indicating the extinguisher is properly charged.
What to Do After a Fight If injuries are present with the dog (if you see any blood at all, lameness, odd behavior, etc) Radio the shelter vet team to alert them that the dog is coming and take the dog immediately to the clinic for care. If no immediate injuries noticed, have a runner walk a loop before returning the dog to his/her kennel. Alert a manager, supervisor, or behavior staff member. Check in on volunteers helping, how are they doing? Be sure to follow up with the volunteer department if they are not on-site during the time of the fight. If a person is injured during a dog fight, make sure it is reported to behavior, a supervisor, or a staff member. An injury report must be filled out for the volunteer who sustained the injury.
What s Next? Email the volunteer department and we will open the Lead Handler Shadowing assignment. Complete Lead Handler Training Log. These will be in the behavior office. Take the online assessment quiz after your training log is completed. Start signing up for shifts in VIC!
THANK YOU!