Increasing Dog Adoptability: Quick and Creative Canine Enrichment Tips Sherry, CPDT-KA What does it mean? Physical Needs Emotional Needs Instinctual Needs *Graph above borrowed from avianenrichment.com July 14 17, 2016 1
Physical needs Diet and nutrition Exercise Environment Health Hygiene Safety Emotional needs Social interaction Mental stimulation Training Sports Problem-solving Independence, agency July 14 17, 2016 2
Instinctual needs Safety Security, comfort Crepuscular schedule Mid-day naps Morning and afternoon activity Sensory stimulation Foraging Setting dogs up for success July 14 17, 2016 3
Latest research on adoptability Sasha Protopopova, Ph.D., Texas Tech University Interested or move on: 20-70 seconds Interaction: 8 minutes Key factor: Dog engagement and interaction Increase desirability: Simple enrichment techniques Common beliefs may be myths Latest research on adoptability Adopters who stop in front of a kennel to look at a dog decide whether or not to move on within 20-70 seconds. July 14 17, 2016 4
Latest research on adoptability Once out of the kennel, adopters give dogs an average of 8 minutes. Latest research on adoptability Aside from physical attributes, the most important thing to adopters is dog engagement and interaction. July 14 17, 2016 5
Latest research on adoptability Simple enrichment techniques, including training some easy behaviors, can increase a dog s desirability to adopters. July 14 17, 2016 6
Overcome perceived barriers Do I have to be a trainer? Do I have to hire a trainer? Do I need to spend extra money to fund training? Do I have to pay for extra staff? The good news! All of these techniques can be done by volunteers with minimal instruction for little or no extra cost. Build your volunteer team. Build your item donation list. July 14 17, 2016 7
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Latest research on adoptability A lot of common beliefs about what drives adoptions turn out to be myths. Some behaviors that had no effect: Jumping up Mouthing Licking Obeying cues (or not) Taking food (or not) Environmental management Tools for working smarter, not harder. Choose a space that isn t distracting. Choose a space that is smaller. Allow the dog to eliminate before meeting the potential adopters. Use volunteer help with enrichment for adoptability. July 14 17, 2016 10
Realistic expectations There are many ways to achieve the same goal. Choose the approach that works best for that individual dog and your environment. Meet-and-greet room Provide a clean mat Outdoor area Get to know dogs as individuals Learn how to listen to each individual dog. Hone your skill at reading body language and teach others. Use various strategies to motivate individual dogs. Luring Capturing Shaping July 14 17, 2016 11
Enrichment for greeting skills Name recognition July 14 17, 2016 12
Recall Never punish your pet for not coming or for coming slowly. Practice calling your pet when you can let him go again. If recall is only used to end fun, the animal will stop coming. Teach recall games The name game Reward all recalls and check-ins Hide from your pet Run from your pet Teach come Playing games Toy-type test 1. Lay out five toys with different characteristics, such as a plush toy, rope toy, soft ball, hard ball and squeaky toy. 2. Let the dog into the area and observe how he interacts with each type of toy. 3. Record which one he continues to play with. 4. Use this type of toy only for special interaction with potential adopters. July 14 17, 2016 13
Recommendation Start teaching trade and retrieve Use two of whichever type of toy the dog prefers. When the dog retrieves or retains one of the toys, show the other toy to initiate a trade, without your hands near the dog s mouth. When the dog releases one toy, throw the other to continue the retrieve game. Treat games Remember: Only the individual animal decides what is reinforcing! July 14 17, 2016 14
Treat games How to identify effective reinforcers Observe what the dog enjoys most. Remove that item from daily life. Use it only during practice and when meeting potential adopters. Find the middle ground between too intense and little interest: eager interest. Observe the dog s reaction to the reinforcer. Don t overuse: Identify multiple reinforcers and alternate among them. Enrichment for settling near people July 14 17, 2016 15
Mat work Easy to train Everything good happens on the mat Powerful forms of calming enrichment Frozen Kongs Lickable treats Chewable treats Teach dogs to love a mat 1. Get a mat, blanket, dog bed or towel. 2. Ideally, each dog should have his/her own. 3. Place the mat on the floor and show interest in it yourself. 4. Have the dog on a loose lead or long line. 5. When the dog approaches and shows interest, verbally mark or click, and treat. 6. Keep rewarding for more body contact with the mat. Any behavior offered with more of the dog s body on the mat is rewarded. Play this as a game. 7. Begin to lure the dog into sit and down. July 14 17, 2016 16
8. Use at least two types of treats. The higher-value treat is used only for down. The lesser-value treat is used for any other behavior if the dog is on the mat. 9. Once the dog is offering the desired behavior on the mat, reward in position and then give your release cue such as the word release or free and encourage him to come off the mat. 10. Encourage him off the mat by tossing a treat and walking him to the treat. 11. The second the dog steps off the mat, all rewarding ends. 12. Stand quietly by the mat and wait. 13. Each time the dog returns and is on the mat, verbally mark or click, and treat. 14. Remember, the highest-value treat is used for down. The dog may still need to be lured. 15. Be sure that the dog understands that he is being rewarded for returning to the mat. 16. When the dog is committed to being on the mat, start to increase the time between rewards. 17. Your goal is a dog who is happy to spend time on the mat with potential adopters nearby, offering treats, praise and gentle touch. July 14 17, 2016 17
Tethering or leashing To help any dog to settle Needs to be a good experience May offer licking or chewing treats during practice July 14 17, 2016 18
Look at me: Click for eye contact Head on lap or leaning July 14 17, 2016 19
Proofing Practice in multiple locations so dogs can do this with anyone, anywhere. Calming enrichment July 14 17, 2016 20
Spend time reading to dogs near their run or in another calm environment. July 14 17, 2016 21
Volunteers can do even more July 14 17, 2016 22
Sounds Scents July 14 17, 2016 23
Mid-day naps Licking and chewing July 14 17, 2016 24
Licking and chewing Massage, T-Touch, Jin Shin Jyutsu Jin Shin Jyutsu jsjforyouranimal.com T-Touch ttouch.com July 14 17, 2016 25
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