Whatcm Humane Sciety Pack Leader Training Trainer: Kerry Mitchell, CPDT-KA Email: kerryclairev54@gmail.cm Dgs at the shelter are here temprarily. It is ur jb t help keep them exercised, stimulated and lved. Mental stimulatin uses 25% mre xygen than physical activity, s fr thse dgs with high energy levels, training is very imprtant t keep them mentally fit and tired. Dgs wh knw basic skills are mre likely t be adpted and t stay in new hmes than dgs with n skills. Red dgs: These are dgs wh may be muthy and jumpy, very strng, pushy and stressed, r very fearful and stressed. Dgs wh get highly arused r wh are very fearful can becme aggressive s it is always imprtant t watch behavir carefully and t be cnfident and calm. Befre yu g in t see a new dg, always read kennel ntes and the previus walkers ntes. Always recrd yur experience hnestly n the vlunteer sheet s that the next dg walker will knw what t expect. Reprt any cncerning behavir t Animal Care Staff. Dg behavir can wrsen during shelter life with increasing frustratin levels and stress r it can imprve as they begin t feel safe and learn the rutine. Just because yu are apprved t walk Red Dgs, desn t mean yu are bligated t. Only walk dgs that yu feel yu can handle and feel cnfident with. All red dgs shuld have a training plan: READ IT BEFORE YOU TAKE OUT THE DOG. Fllw the training plan exactly, even if yu disagree with it. (Yu may email me at kerryclairev54@gmail.cm if yu dn t understand it). This will make all handling cnsistent and help the dg rather than pushing the dg t hard t fast t d smething they are nt ready fr, thus reinfrcing prblematic behavir. We have had excellent results with this prgram. Lynn may write directins n the green sheet regarding small fearful dgs when she fits the harness. I will ften use this as the training plan fr fearful small dgs as she des an excellent jb it is the first nte n the green sheet. Kerry, Lynn r Angi will assess larger dgs and will write a safe training plan. It fllw the dg s face sheet in the vlunteer binder. Please dn t bury it when adding additinal green sheets. We will update it as necessary. If yu see that a red dg is n the bard and desn t have a training plan, please let Carly knw and she will ntify Lynn r Kerry. Bdy language (frm Sara Kalnajs The language f dgs DVD): watch fr stress signals, 1
especially clusters f stress signals such as paw raise, licking and yawning, arched back, tucked tail exhibited tgether. Clusters f stress signals indicate increasing stress levels in the dg. When yu see stress signals, think abut what yu are ding (are yu making direct eye cntact? Mving quickly? Leaning ver the dg? Petting the dg n tp f the head? Mving tward the dg?). Slw dwn, back ff, take a deep breath, turn sideways t the dg, and give the dg sme space. Ty breeds may just blink ver and ver rather than shwing several different signals clustered tgether. Mild stress r displacement signals (dg displays familiar behavirs ut f cntext that they cnnect with pleasure and therefre increase their sense f security): Marking territry Fl arund (acting very silly, ver the tp playful, zmies ) Stretching Yawning Shaking ff Licking lips Sniffing the grund Licking genitals Drinking water Distance decreasing signals (Please cme clser, I lve yu, scratch my ears, play with me, etc): Play bw Easy, wagging tail in a circle r whle butt wagging Submissive grin, lng cmmissure (length f muth) Blinking eyes Squinty eyes Flppy, relaxed rll ver Other signs f relaxatin: Relaxed face (frwn between ears has relaxed, wrinkles arund muth are relaxing, decreased panting, neutral wagging tail (desire t interact), sft eyes, relaxed bdy, ears neutral r back but nt plastered back n head, paw lift. 2
Signs f arusal: (I m excited, may prgress instantly t aggressin r ver arused play) Ears frward Weight frward Direct stare Penile crwning Hackles up Increase in activity Muth clses Munting r humping Danger signals: BACK OFF DON T GET CLOSER!!! may erupt instantly int aggressin High fast tail wag Tail flagged ver back, with tip pinting frward (depends n breed f dgs. Sme breeds carry their tails this way. Grund scratching Freezing Very brief lk away Whale eye Head and neck lw: resurce guarding is usually the cause Tap ut : dn t cnfuse this with the submissive distance decreasing signal f rll ver. Dg curls dwn nt flr slwly, shulder dwn, then each vertebrae f back, tail may be between legs. This is a fearful signal that can suddenly explde int aggressin if yu apprach. Other signs f stress / fear: frwny face with wrinkles between ears and arund muth face lks tight and stressed, ears plastered back n head, arched back, tail tucked, turning back, turning head away, bdy tight, panting). T reduce stress in dgs: Avid bending ver dgs, hugging them, patting them n tp f their heads. Rather, stand parallel t them if yu need t bend dwn, strke their chests, backs, r shulders. Be calm and reassuring with them. G slwly when putting n their equipment. Always ask: Hw is this fr yu? when interacting with 3
them. Keeping dgs calm in their kennels: when lking at dgs frm utside their kennels, nly reinfrce behavirs that are calm. E.g. dn t pay attentin t dgs wh are barking, jumping up etc. Turn away until they are quiet and have 4 paws n the flr. Then praise them, smile, and give them a treat under the dr etc. Every interactin is a training interactin fr bth yu and the dg. Pay attentin t what yu are telling them bth by initiating behavir and by respnding t them be calm, firm, gentle. Keep yur vice lw and friendly. Smile. The mre excited r arused a dg is, the calmer and firmer yu need t be. Firm means keeping verbal cues simple, nt engaging in their behavirs, being alf and keeping expectatins clear, rewarding nly when they d what yu are asking f them. It desn t mean raising yur vice r frcing them t d what yu want them t. Entering the kennels: Only enter the kennel when the dg is sitting r has all 4 feet are n the flr. Brace the kennel dr with yur ft when yu unlatch the karabiner. Once in the kennel, use treats t lure the dg int standing r sitting psitin n the flr if he is jumping up. Only put n the harness r pet the dg when all 4 feet are n the flr r when the dg is sitting i.e. dn t attempt t harness the dg if his feet are ff the flr. Yu may need t lure him int a sit with a ckie immediately upn entering the kennel if he is very excited. With dgs yu dn t knw, talk t them frm utside the kennel reassuringly first and give them treats when they are calm. IF they are wrried ears back, tail tucked, back arched, r excited, barking at yu, and jumping up, wrk with them first frm utside the kennel until their stress signals decrease. Kennels are small spaces fr dgs t meet and greet yu. Putting n the harness: Excited dgs: Have the harness ready t place n the dg and a ckie in yur hand befre yu enter the kennel. Attaching the leash t the harness prir t entering can be helpful. Lure the dg s head thrugh the harness with a ckie as sn as yu enter the kennel. Yu may need t switch sides s that yu can reach under the dg t grasp the band that ges under the chest t cmplete yur task. Tss ckies n the flr t keep him calm while yu d up the quick release snap. This may take mre than ne try. Just maneuver him back int psitin and try again if yu can t get the snap dne up the first time. Avid wrapping yur arms arund the dg t d up the harness but rather reach under the chest/belly as yu wuld t saddle hrse. 4
Fearful dgs: If the dg is fearful, mve slwly and stand sideways t him until the dg appraches yu in a relaxed manner. Tss him treats rather than trying t get him t apprach yu. Cruching dwn may help, but this may make sme dgs mre anxius. It als places yur face clser t the dg s muth. Once he is appraching yu with interest, yu may feed him treats frm yur hand, then feed him treats ff the harness, then have him take treats thrugh the pening f his harness, gradually increasing the distance that his nse pushes thrugh each time. Remve the harness cmpletely between attempts t put the harness n him and if he is getting increasingly stressed, take a break r leave the kennel. Remving the harness frm his head between attempts t put it n him will decrease his stress, and in additin will give him practice at having his harness mved ver his face. Yu may nt be able t get the harness n him the first day that yu g t see him. Even thugh yu are nt walking the dg, yu are building their trust and cnfidence in humans. Thrughut the prcess, watch clsely fr FREEZING and WHALE EYE. These are signs that yu need t back ff NOW. That said, it is ften much easier n the dg t find smene wh knws the dg t harness him and take him t the GA rm fr intrductins. There is mre space in the GA rms, and being with smene he already trusts will give him cnfidence. Yu can then tss ckies r tys, wrk n yur relatinship, and then take him fr a walk. The next time yu cme in, he ll prbably be fine with yu. If nt, d the same thing again. DON T push these dgs! Walking dgs: ALWAYS TAKE LOTS OF TREATS WITH YOU (as well as plastic bags) Leaving the kennel: Always check fr ther dgs/ peple/kids befre exiting the kennel. Keep yur bdy between the kennels and the dg yu are walking. Keep yur dg n a SHORT leash. Feeding treats, hlding a Kng fr them t lick, r tssing treats n the flr ahead f them may help t get them past the kennels withut lunging and barking. D the same when returning yur dg t his kennel. Take the dg ut and back thrugh stray when apprpriate. Always annunce yurself when appraching crners. Redirecting: Dgs may redirect their frustratin nt the clsest thing t them and if that happens t be yu, yu may get bitten. If the dg yu are walking breaks away frm yur left side and lunges and barks at the kennels, just get the dg dwn the hall as fast as yu can rather than pulling him back t the left side clser t yu. Always check fr dgs n the ther side f the drs befre ging thrugh a drway. Be sure all 4 paws are n the flr befre ging thrugh a dr. Lure the dg back t yu with treats as sn as yu are thrugh the dr s that he is facing yu and yu can check ut the envirnment befre prceeding. 5
Keep yur dg n the right side when exiting past the stray kennels and exercise yard. Mve them quickly past the exercise yard, tssing treats n the grund t distract them as yu pass, especially if a reactive dg is in the yard. Yu may need t wait until a dg is put away befre ging thrugh the gate if bth dgs are reactive. It is nt gd fr either dg t be placed in that situatin. Exercise yard: I wuld recmmend getting t knw dgs first befre taking them in the exercise yard. Sme ver-stimulated dgs can be verwhelming with jumping up and excitement when ff leash. Dn t take dgs ut t the exercise yard within an hur f eating r ffer large amunts f water as strenuus exercise with full stmachs can cause blat in dgs 40% fatality even if treated immediately. Als, be very careful abut exercising dgs in the heat. They are very inefficient at cling themselves and regulating temperature and can get hyperthermia much mre easily than humans. This can als be fatal. Returning t the kennel: Mst dgs g back in their kennels easily and tssing treats n the flr will entertain them until yu can get ut. Shw him the ckies and be sure yu have high enugh value treats that he will actually be interested in them. Be ready with yur hand n the lever t exit the kennel befre yu tss the treats s that yu can slip ut while he is distracted. Sme dgs may d better with a stuffed Kng t keep them busy while yu exit. Stuff with a cmb f kibble (saked r nt) and peanut butter. Dn t use t much peanut butter as it is bad fr them, but dllps t help the kibble adhere between layers f kibble is high value fr mst dgs. Get the dg interested in the Kng, and then place it n the flr and leave. If yu lse wnership f the Kng, d NOT try t take it away frm the dg. Sme dgs may be escape artists. Yu can try taking them int the Get Acquainted rm and attach their leash t their cllar nly. Tss treats int their kennel and withut entering the kennel, unclip the leash and clse the dr when the dg ges in t investigate. Yu may need t get help with sme dgs t get them back int the kennel either frm ther vlunteers r frm animal care staff. Have anther vlunteer g t the back f the kennel and ask them t distract the dg with treats while yu leave. Yu can blck the dg definitively with yur bdy and mve int them slightly t back them away frm the dr but with a fearful r ptentially aggressive dg, this can be 6
seen as threatening and trigger aggressin, s I dn t recmmend it. Fast dgs can als squirt between yur feet if yu aren t gd at this. Fearful dgs: Every interactin is a training interactin fr bth yu and the dg. If fearful dgs are red dgs, they will be mre fearful than thse dgs yu have wrked with previusly. Yu will need t be mre aware f stress signals, and clusters f stress signals. It is extremely imprtant that yu mve slwly with these dgs paying clse attentin t yur bdy language and their respnse t yu with their bdy language. Remember, just because yu CAN d things t these dgs, desn t mean it s best fr the dg. Again, always be asking the dg hw is this fr yu? Fearful dgs can bite in defense just as easily as ver-arused dgs. Mve slwly, have yur bdy psture erect r leaning slightly backward, smile with squinty eyes, turn sideways, breath deeply, and tss treats rather than trying t get him t apprach yu. They ll d s when they are ready. Get t knw them well frm utside the kennel first, and nly enter when they are shwing signs f relaxatin decreased stress signals, appraching the frnt f the kennel with a well balanced bdy, taking treats frm yu. Get smene the dg knws t intrduce yu in the GA rm. Ging thrugh drways: Never frce fearful dgs t d anything. If they are afraid f drways, walk them frward tward the dr but nt t the pint where they put n the breaks. Then walk them away frm it, then back tward the dr again a step clser, then away again etc. If they are treat mtivated, use treats t encurage them clser, but then allw them t mve away again befre they apprach nce mre. Prtect the dg: Be sure t prtect the dg when yu are passing dgs in the stray area, and ther walkers in the field. Stand way ff t the side r d a u-turn and hide behind smething if anther dg is cming. Pushy, muthy, stressed dgs: Every interactin is a training interactin fr bth yu and the dg. Pay attentin t what yu are telling them bth by initiating behavir and by respnding t them be calm, firm, gentle. Keep yur vice lw and friendly. Smile. The mre excited r arused a dg is, the calmer and firmer yu need t be. Firm means keeping verbal cues simple, (nt engaging in their behavirs like pushing them ff and prtesting when they jump up), being alf and keeping expectatins clear, rewarding nly when they d what yu are asking f them. It desn t mean raising yur vice r frcing them t d what yu want them t. Increased arusal levels: Anything can cause increased arusal levels. The higher the arusal level, the mre difficult t cntrl the dg is and the clser t aggressive 7
behavir the dg is. Shelter dgs are stressed, s it is imprtant, especially until yu knw a dg well, t keep their arusal levels lw. Things that can increase arusal levels: High energy n the handler s part running, excited vices, high squeaky vice, intentinally getting the dg excited by rugh husing, clapping hands, petting the dg t rughly r in an excited way as we may d with ur wn dgs etc. Bending ver the dg, tuching a dg wh desn t like t be tuched, t much training, bredm. Walking clse t anther dg this can be excitement because the dg either likes ther dgs, r has fear based reactivity. If yu get t clse t anther dg accidentally, rather than pulling the dg back t yu, WALK AWAY t avid a redirected bite. Seeing anther dg running in the exercise yard (if yu have a dg in the exercise yard and a vlunteer is having a difficult time walking a dg past, STOP playing with yur dg, have them sit and feed them ckies. Lud nises in the distance Fd rewards Frustratin Excited play in the yard. T decrease arusal levels: Breath deeply Slw dwn Stand up straight Speak slwly and calmly in a lw vice Dn t get excited Turn sideways Avid direct eye cntact Be aware f keeping arusal levels lw with dgs yu haven t walked befre until yu get t knw them. 8
Avid ther walkers with dgs. Dn t take a dg yu haven t walked befre int the exercise area. Walks: Dn t take them in the exercise yard unless yu knw the dg well and feel safe ding s. Intersperse walks with training lse leash walking, sit, dwn, recall, eye cntact t given them skills. Sit is VERY imprtant as it can help t grund them. If they have a histry f jumping/muthing and biting, walk with a secnd persn s that if the dg gets int a frenzy, the secnd persn can attach a secnd leash t the harness s that the dg can t access either persn. PLEASE dn t talk if yu are walking with anther persn (unless yu are talking t the dg and even then watch t see hw yur vice is affecting them), as this is ften ver-stimulating and stressful fr these dgs. If walking alne, walk the dg in areas where yu can attach him t a fence clse t the shelter. There are carabiners available t attach t the leash handle s that yu can clip the dg t the fence, step back, let him calm dwn. Once settled, yu can apprach him again, reinfrce his calm behavir and walk him calmly back t the shelter. Call fr help if yu need it. If yu have this prblem with a dg, let Carly knw and she will ntify ne f the trainers. One f the trainers will wrk with the dg and devise a training plan. If yu want t wrk with a Pack Leader cach befre wrking with the dg alne, let Carly knw and she'll help t arrange it. If yu have a dg that stresses when heading back t the shelter, wrk n walking tward the shelter while giving treats and praise, then walk away frm the shelter (n treats) again, then back tward the shelter. Repeat multiple times n yur walk. By ding this, yu will be rewarding the shelter apprach by walking away frm it. When yu get back t the shelter, take the dg int a Get Acquainted rm and play, d bx puzzles, snuggle r whatever the dg enjys befre having him g back t his kennel. If the dg prefers NOT t g arund the field a secnd r third time, pay attentin and g t the play yard r t the GA rm fr games r a Kng. Dgs have few chices at the shelter and this is ne we can hnr. 9
Often, frcing them t circle the field ne mre time against their will will cause them t act ut. If yu see anther dg cming, mve a gd distance ff t the side and feed the dg treats with his back t the passing dg. If he s struggling t turn arund and make eye cntact with the dg, he s t clse t that dg. Yu can als make a U turn r hide behind smething (car, dumpster etc.). Jumping up: When anticipating that yur dg will jump, give anther cue such as sit that is incmpatible with jumping up. Praise. Walk n calmly. Turn away frm him and cmpletely withdraw frm him emtinally and physically. Walk n when all 4 paws are n the grund. Step n the leash, take a few deep breaths, and walk n calmly back t the shelter when the dg has settled, keeping arusal levels very lw. If yu are ut walking and yu can t stp the dg jumping and muthing (rarely, sme dgs will get int a frenzy f jumping with hard direct eye cntact r dilated pupils and muthing/biting. This is ften due t a cmbinatin f stress and pushiness. Either step n the leash r mve them t ne f the psts and attach them t the carabiner. Ignre them until they are calm and call the shelter n yur cell (360-733-2080 and then 0 ) fr help. Please place this number n rapid dial in yur phne. If the shelter is clsed, yu can call 911 and the dispatcher can cntact Animal Cntrl and an fficer will cme t help yu. Shuting at them and pushing them ff will increase their arusal levels and wrsen the prblem. Dn t shut at the dg r push them ff, but dn t hesitate t speak t them cnfidently and sternly with a SIT in a deep vice if they are ver arused and difficult t cntrl. Hwever, if this is nt helping, stp talking. Stand tall and exude strength, cnfidence and cntrl and step n the leash. When a dg has a habit f jumping, snapping, muthing r biting, praise and walk n when their feet are back n the grund. I wuldn t reward with treats immediately as we dn t want t inadvertently reward the sequence f jump/muth/bite- sit- treat. Have the dg walk calmly fr a few secnds, and then tss treats n the grund and ask them t find 10
Muthing the leash: Shrten the leash. it. This will fcus their attentin away frm yu, lure them int a calming psture and engage the seeking part f their brain, which is strngly reinfrcing. ffer a tug ty t play with and redirect the dg t it. Wrk n Take it/leave it. Decrease arusal levels by withdrawing frm the dg physically and emtinally. in serius leash biters, a chain leash. Exercise yard: I wuld recmmend getting t knw dgs first befre taking them in the exercise yard t play ball. Sme ver-stimulated dgs can be verwhelming with jumping up and excitement when ff leash. Training skills: Take it/leave it: Offer yur dg a treat and tell her take it. Repeat 2 r three times. Then, hlding yur hand steady, ask her in a light vice t leave it. D nt release the treat. Wait until she backs ff in frustratin. Immediately mark and tell her take it as yu give her the treat. D a few mre take its and then leave it. Repeat. Agility equipment: Agility equipment is used a lt in the training plans. This gives the dgs challenging ways t exercise withut the arusal f fetch. If yu haven t been instructed in use f the equipment, let Carly knw and Kerry will either wrk with yu r schedule anther class. Karabiner use: The karabiner is used n the handle f the leash t attach the dg t the fence in the play yard if the dg is lunging and biting at the handler. This gives the handler a way t get away frm the dg immediately, remves the stimulus frm the dg and gives the dg a chance t calm dwn. Often lunging and biting is a puppy behavir that can becme a stress related behavir. The dg can als learn that they get cntrl f the situatin when they d this. It needs t be stpped permanently befre it leads t an aggressive behavir. Sit: Training sit and asking the dg t sit several times during each sessin will help the dg t learn sit as a default behavir. 11
Stay: Place yur dg in a sit r a dwn. Tell yur dg stay. Sit: Have him nibble n a ckie right at his nse and mve frm ne side t anther, repeating stay. If he starts t get up frm the sit, say SIT and praise and treat as sn as he s back in psitin. Watch him like a hawk. Initially, g barely frm ne side f his head t the ther fr a ttal f the cunt f 5. Once he s ding well with this, mve further frm ne side t the ther and eventually walk all the way arund yur dg, hlding the treat at his nse, and repeating stay. Dwn: same as abve nly place the treats n the flr between his paws. b) Stand upright and lk cnfident while ding the stay exercise. Hld yur arm ut in frnt f yu with yur hand facing the dg, putting pressure n the dg t stay in the sit r dwn psitin. Say STAY slwly and authritatively leaning slightly frward. Take ne step backward, then return t the dg and treat. Then take 2 steps back, then 3 steps, then 4, each time returning t the dg t reward him with praise and a treat fr staying. GRADUALLY increase the distance ALWAYS making sure that the dg is successful. When yu are ready t release the dg, return t him, give him praise and treats, and release him with his release wrd. Reward BEFORE yu release him. Find it: Tss treats n the grund and pint t them asking the dg t find it. This can be used t calm the dg frm biting n the leash, r by tssing treats BEHIND the dg, can direct the dg away frm the handler. Scent games: Spread ut the bwls (fund in the PY ty bx) and put ckies in ne when the dg is distracted. Ask him t find it. When he finds the ckies feed 5 mre with his head IN THE BOWL. Mve the bwls and tss treats in anther when he s nt lking. Repeat. Once he understands the game, yu can start hiding treats in a small area in the play yard under sticks. Dn t make it t hard at first. Always reward with multiple treats when he finds the treat yu hid. Chse t heel: Vide clip: chse t heel... https://www.yutube.cm/watch?v=5frktkjkhew&feature=yutu.be With the "chse t heel exercise", nce the dg is staying with yu cnsistently while n leash in the play yard (nt pulling AT ALL), yu can take the dg ut f the play yard WITH anther vlunteer and cntinue the exercise. Yu wuld cntinue t mark/treat heel psitin (the dg being beside yu) with "yes" r the clicker every cuple f secnds. It may be helpful t have the secnd vlunteer mark/treat the dg's psitin, r, if the dg pulls and yu can't get him back under cntrl, t attach a secnd 12
leash. If this is the case, yu'd want t return t the play yard and cntinue the exercise in the vide. Cllar grab: reach tward the dg, mark with yes and treat. At first yur hand will mve slwly tward the dg and may be a distance frm the dg s neck/head when yu mark and treat, but as he learns the game, yu may mve yur hand clser t the dg, then, when he is very cmfrtable, start mving yur hand mre quickly. This will, ver time desensitize him t being reached fr. GO SLOWLY with this exercise, and if yu have dubts abut a particular dg, dn t d it. Teaching calm: Take the dg ut first, s he s cmfrtable, then return t the GA rm. Sit quietly with abut 3 feet f lse leash attached t the dg, the rest gathered in yur hand. Ignre the dg (n talking, n lking at the dg lk abve the dg and channel calm cnfidence). As sn as the dg settles reach dwn and strke him with calm, firm strkes, praise in a calm vice. As sn as he gets up, ignre. Repeat. If he jumps up, stand, turn away and ignre. Updated 10/14/17 13