Working with Rescue Dogs: Assessing a New Dog

Описание: https://ferndogtraining.com/academy Working with Rescue Dogs - Video 1: How to Assess a Dog
If you volunteer or work at an animal shelter or rescue you have the difficult task of working with unknown dogs with the hopes of finding them a home. Because for many dogs this is a matter of life or death it's very important that you're doing everything you can to help them find a forever home.

When working with a new dog there are few things you need to do to make sure you have a great encounter and that you're enabling the dog to do the right thing.

1. Watch and Observe BEFORE you interact with the dog. It's super important to always keep in mind that you don't know this dog yet. So instead of just going over to them, take a few moments to see how the act. Are the comfortable? Happy? Scared? Shy?

Shelter and rescue dogs, like all dogs, are open books. Whatever they feel is written all over their bodies. As a rule the more waggy and in motion a dog is, the better. The more stiff or still a dog is the more tension there is in the dog. If you notice a dog is stiff be very careful - he's telling you he's not comfortable.

2. Remember that you still don't know if the dog has any triggers and what they might be. You need to take some time to learn if the dog is sensitive about anything. You don't want to do something the dog doesn't like and cause a bite to happen (that would be your fault and not the dog's.

Always let the dog come to you and do things on his terms. Avoid moving into the dog's space - let him initiate all contact. Don't hug or kiss a dog you don't know really well - those are both very confrontational acts and dogs don't like either of them. Also, don't grab a dog by the collar - 20% of dog bites happen when a dog's collar is grabbed. And lastly, always use lots of praise and positive training, while limiting any verbal or physical corrections.

You want to set the dog up to succeed. By making sure you do things the right way you'll allow the dog to adjust to his new environment and you can learn what his limitations are. Never take a dog you don't know into an unpredictable and/or overwhelming situation (like an adoption event). When working with rescue and shelter dogs it's always best to spend some time with the dogs so that you can get to know them before throwing them into the public.

Most dog bites from rescue dogs toward volunteers are the fault of the volunteer. Be smart and take the time needed to give them the best possible chance of adoption.

If you're interested in learning how you can turn your passion for dogs in to a successful career as a dog trainer, go to https://ferndogtraining.com/academy