Second Chance Dogs, a documentary filmed at the ASPCA’s Rehabilitation Center for Fearful Dogs and released in April 2016, chronicles the ASPCA Rehabilitation trainers as they patiently work with dogs suffering from debilitating fear caused by biology, poor (or no) socialization, isolation, neglect or cruelty.
The Rehabilitation Center for Fearful Dogs accepts dogs to their program based on an extensive application process, and works with the dogs for approximately 12-20* weeks to help develop coping skills, train new behaviors and slowly expand the dog’s tolerance for novel environments, objects and people. Ultimately, the dogs who graduate from the program go back to their original shelter or rescue organization to be adopted as part of the general population, and the movie features several of its graduates in their new homes.
Once accepted into the program, each dog receives an individualized treatment plan to serve as a guideline for the behaviors needed to graduate. Evaluations take place three times throughout the dog’s stay: three days or three weeks after entry into the program (depending on which of two groups the dog is placed in), then two more times during the course of the program. Progress is measured by tracking data recorded by the trainer after each session, as well as the video evaluations and frequently scheduled team meetings.
One of the best aspects of both the Center and the documentary is the ASPCA’s commitment to taking the lessons learned from formalizing the rehabilitation of fearful dogs and sharing its results. As part of its outreach efforts, shelters and rescues can request an opportunity to visit the facility and experience the program first hand.
This past winter, our shelter’s Director of Training and Enrichment and I were invited to spend a day shadowing trainers as they conducted training sessions, evaluated dogs’ progress and assembled and distributed daily enrichment activities to all the program’s dogs. There were many, many facets of the program to emulate, but several stood out for me*:
Each dog was assigned to one of two groups, dogs that started the program after three days, and dogs who start the program after three weeks. For three days or three weeks, the dogs were allowed to quietly acclimate to their new surroundings with no unnecessary human intervention. Once the acclimation period passed, training and behavior modification began. As an interesting side note, the dogs that started the program after three weeks graduated 24 days faster on average than the dogs who started their program after only three days.
The graduation rate is 85%.
Trainers work with each dog for 15 minutes a day.
Dogs graduate anywhere form 12-20 weeks on average. The important thing to note is that the dogs’ environment is highly structured with few surprises (very different from a dog who lives with an active family).
Dogs are not fed from bowls once or twice a day; the dog’s daily ration of food (mixed with soft and smelly treats) is used for training and enrichment, in order to keep the dog motivated.
Each day has a similar routine, so the dog can anticipate what comes next.
Enrichment plays a huge role in the program.
Music and different toys are distributed each day.
Around lunch time, all dogs are given flavored ice blocks or chews while the shelter is quiet.
Different scents are rotated each week.
Dogs are given food puzzles daily.
Playgroups and helper dogs help many dogs move forward, literally and figuratively.
Airline crates provide “safe space” in the kennel. After a few days, the top is taken off and the bottom remains as the dog’s home base.
Only a handful of trainers initially work with the dogs. As the dogs progress, volunteers are introduced to assist with enrichment and care.
Buckets of treats are available for “drive by treating”. As people move down the row of kennels, they quietly throw a treat to each dog as they walk by.
As training progresses, trainers ask dogs to “follow” by moving away and making kissing sounds to build interest and foster proximity. The dogs are in a secure area for this exercise.
Trainers teach targeting to the hand to lessen or eliminate aversion to touch.
If you live with a fearful dog and can’t visit the ASPCA’s new facility in Weaverville, NC, I highly recommend that you watch the documentary Second Chance Dogs. It will give you insight on working with your own dog, as well as the comfort of knowing that there is often hope for achieving a good quality of life…for both of you!
*These are based on my recollection of my visit to the facility and a recent lecture give by Kristen Collins, Director of the Center. Any inaccuracies are mine.
Photo Credit: secondchancedogsfilm.com
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