Getting Pets Ready for Adoption - Patch

I don’t ask a lot from my dogs. Aside from our sanitation agreement (their job is placement; mine, removal), just walk calmly on the leash and leave my gym socks alone. That last rule seems to be in perpetual negotiation.

After an hour at the Pasadena Humane Society with two professional dog trainers, I left  a convert to this simple but significant message:

“Some behaviors you modify, and some you manage,” said Drew Marsden, Behavior & Training Supervisor. Modify aggression, jumping, anxiety. But  if Pumpkin always explores your trashcan, well here’s a thought: Move the trashcan. Or the gym socks.  

Getting pets adopted and making sure they stay adopted means new pet owners need to be able to manage their new family members.  That's where Marsden and Behavior & Training Technician Shelly Valdovinos come in.

They have lots of good advice for new and existing pet owners. Some common sense, some surprising.  Here’s a sample of a few specifics:

Dogs who pull on the leash:  Consider a harness or a gentle leader rather than a choke or prong collar. When used with anything but the most skillful hand, a choke chain shuts off the air passage -- the dog will only care about drawing the next breath.  Vary the walk, don’t always go to the same destination, particularly if that destination has a reward. Try “crazy walking,” constantly turning so your dog can never get up a good head of steam in any one direction.

Dogs who jump on people:  Turn your back, pay no attention. Attention rewards the behavior.  If that doesn’t work, and depending on the dog, you might try walking straight into him. Humans are not the only ones who need their space. This technique may take all the fun out of leaping on bipeds.

The “Velcro” dog:  When you leave the house and when you come back, are you making a big deal out of it? Don’t. That’s just telling your buddy there’s something very significant about departures and arrivals. Channel your inner Gary Cooper; come and go with a simple "So long," and "Hi there."

Dogs who are shy or fearful:  Make all your interactions a positive experience. Never speak harshly or impatiently. Dogs are extremely sensitive to body language – they notice everything -- the way we stand, gestures, facial expressions.

Pay attention to the signals you send. (Fear is one of the most common problems Marsden and Valdovinos encounter with new canine arrivals.  And one of the most surmountable. The video shows one technique to help build the dog’s sense of confidence and trust. This brindle boxer mix deeply mistrusts my camera, but really loves Marsden. See what he does.)

When deciding on a pet, base your choice on temperament, not looks. No matter how much the pup resembles your childhood Misty, coat, color, even breed tell only a small part of the story.

The trainers at the Pasadena Humane Society put in long hours to understand the behavior and needs of all their dogs. Every arrival goes through a series of tests (see other video) to determine such things as sensitivity to touch, playfulness, aggressions, compatibility with other animals. Prior to adoption, ask the shelter for their thoughts and experiences with the dog.

And keep in mind, when you adopt, there will be a period of adjustment. You have a new dog, but for the dog, everything will be new and strange.  As Marsden said, “Be realistic in your expectations. Don’t expect your perfect companion in one or two weeks. And with any animal, training is a life-long process, there’s no magic wand; it takes work and dedication.”

Oh, and a word about the felines. Valdovinos not only trains dogs, but cats as well. Her own cat will sit on command. “Here's the difference between working with  cats and dogs,” she said, “Perception. When training a cat, let him think it’s his idea.”

(Warning: The videos are fun, but LOUD.)

Every week Altadena Patch will highlight a pet with unusual abilities or a special one who is looking for a new home.

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