Training
"Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend." - Corey Ford
At NNEDR, we believe in Training!
It is a fact that dogs end up in High Kill shelters for a variety of reasons. However, truth be told, many times it is because the dog has unruly and inappropriate behaviors and little or no training. Who's fault is that? As far as the dog is concerned, it's doing what it knows how to do or what has worked for them in the past. If they don't know any different, how can they change their behavior?
As a reputable rescue organization, it is our responsibility to help these dogs to be as successful as possible once we've saved them from certain death. For NNEDR, it's not just about pulling a dog off death row and placing it into the first home we find. It IS about ensuring we give the dog the chance to be the very best dog it can possibly be.
This is what makes our rescue organization very different than most rescues you will find out there.
We believe training is the cornerstone to successful, happy relationships between dogs and their people. We strive to promote the importance of training both during a dog’s stay with us in a foster home and after the dog is adopted into its forever home.
Through our partnership with Michelle Grimes CPDT-KA CAP-1, owner of K9 Insights, we have established training programs for foster dogs as well as an Alumni Training School so training can continue after a dog has been adopted.
Michelle is a Professional Certified Pet Dog Trainer
who received her accredidation through the
Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
Because we feel training is such an important part of a successful relationship between you and your dog, we encourage all adopters to take advantage of our low-cost obedience classes held on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
K9 Insights uses only positive reinforcement training methods when teaching and takes pride in knowing amazing relationships can be built if both the human and the dog are able to communicate with each other. Michelle not only gives you the proper “tools” to train your dog, she explains the reasoning behind the training in terms you can fully understand. Michelle believes that we, as owners, need to understand how to “set our dogs up for success” and will explain the importance behind her methods of training and why this type of training is so successful.
Training is a great way to bond and create understanding between you and your dog. Investing time in your dog makes dogs easier to live with. We are proud to say that many well trained NNEDR alumni have gone on to be great breed ambassadors.
Michelle is available for private consultations as well.
To learn more visit www.k9insights.com or you can
contact Michelle here.
Training and relationship building….
It just makes sense!
NNEDR truly believes a positive, rewarding bond with your dog is the best way to ensure a successful relationship. This is why every dog coming through NNEDR is evaluated using the SAFER ™ (Safety Assessment for Evaluating Rehoming) canine aggression assessment tool. Originally developed by Dr. Emily Weiss, C.A.A.B, it was first implemented in shelters in 1999-2000 and has helped animal welfare professionals all over the country identify potential aggression and opportunities for behavior modification—which ultimately leads to more adoptions through appropriate placement.
As owners, we often believe dogs should just know how to behave properly and should know what’s right from wrong. Do we expect that of our children? No. Like children, they have to be taught what is appropriate and what is not. Dogs are not mind readers. They don't just instinctively know how their owners want them to act, or what the rules of the house are. Owners who haven't bothered to teach their dogs the rules often find they end up with unruly dogs.
Things that are cute as a puppy, such as mouthing your hands and jumping up to play, are suddenly unacceptable when the dog is full grown. These are issues that could have been easily prevented had the owners taken the time to train their new family member in the first place. Even if you are adopting an adult dog who is past his puppy behaviors, training will help you establish yourself as the leader of your pack. Dogs are pack animals, and therefore social hierarchy is extremely important to them. If it isn't clear who the pack leader is, they will attempt to take charge of the household. This can lead to behavior problems like claiming resources such as the couch or your bed.
Most behavioral issues are often perfectly natural canine activities that are performed at the wrong time on the wrong things, such as chewing your shoes instead of a chew toy or going to the bathroom on your rug instead of outside on the lawn. Training teaches your dog the appropriate ways to exhibit his natural canine behaviors. Using physical dominance to achieve the status of pack leader is unnecessary. Your dog is showing his respect for you when he obeys even a simple command like "sit".
Owning a dog is a very big commitment; one that should not be taken lightly. Establishing a positive relationship through training will no doubt pay off and is a small price to pay to ensure happiness and understanding between you and your dog. Who enjoys being around your dog who is constantly irritating? A well trained dog is fun and easy to live with. They know how to behave in public so they can be taken on more family outings. The dog can be trusted around children, strangers and other animals because he has been taught appropriate behavior. Friends and family will enjoy visiting your home rather than avoiding you because of your dog's rowdy behavior.
By involving yourself and your dog in obedience training, you are creating a confident, happy dog and are helping them to live a fuller life. In turn, this improves your life as well. Everyone wins.
NNEDR Alumni Training School
