April 21st 2010 11:49 am
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(I am pleased to serve as a contest judge this year. In honor of this great contest, I have submited this slightly off-topic diary entry)
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How one little dog changed my life:
Looking back, some two years after my foster of Spirit, I am not near the same dog-person as then. There were a couple of snarling incidents between Spirit and my Manny that I did not understand, and worse, could not find answers for, from my Rescue friends. Eventually, a Behaviorist was brought in, and I have to admit I did not really understand what he was trying to teach me at the time. Long diary entry short, Spirit did find a great forever home, the perfect ending for him.
But I was left with questions: Why did my normally placid Manny get into ugly snarl fests with Spirit? Were there things I should have done differently? How would I handle that same situation again?
My friends could offer little solid advice. The Behaviorist was $75 an hour for one-on-one consults now that Spirit was gone.. (He did Spirit’s evaluation free for the rescue.) I didn’t expect to find Behavior answers in the typical obedience classes offered at every other pet store. I was frustrated, and reluctant to even foster again fearing a repeat experience. “Foster Failure”, indeed!
Six months later, one of my friends mentioned attending a “Reading Rover” class sponsored by the Richmond SPCA. This recreational class was concerned with reading canine body language, and how it relates to behavior. Remembering my troubles with Spirit, she kept the handout and gave it to me. Funny, the SPCA was having a more formal class starting in just a few weeks! I signed up not long before registration cut-off. At the end of that class, a general announcement was made; everyone attending qualified for the “Green Team”. I wondered what was that all about…
The SPCA Green Team is a group of volunteers working under the guidance of the Behavior and Training staff. Volunteer’s dog-skills range from raw beginners, a few even without a dog at all, to Certified Pet Dog Trainers. It makes little difference to the Green Team family where any one member is on their journey understanding canine behavior. All that matters is a shared love, dedication and interest in dog training. These volunteers generally interact with those dogs at the shelter with behavior issues, with training and support from the Behavior staff as needed. Free formal classed are offered at times.
The SPCA is a busy shelter. Pulling dogs from Richmond, Va., and several surrounding counties, one might easily imagine in this volume of cast-off animals, most every behavior issue know to man and dog turns up at some time. There are fearful dogs, guarders, reactive ones, you name it. What fertile ground to learn dog behavior!
I have been a part of the Green Team for just over a year, often volunteering several days a week there. Serious time, and a good bit of cash too, has been spent on books, and videos from top Behaviorists from around the World. I have performed home visits for some of the AARF dogs and fosters needing training or behavior help. (Nothing too serious yet, THAT is for the real professionals!)
My rescue mission has changed from being focused on dog stands, public awareness, and fostering, to mainly dog training and behavior. I have found my true love! As I drive home from a session my thoughts sometimes turn to the little tripod dog that started me on this journey some two years ago, and the changes he brought to my life.
Thank YOU, Spirit!
David
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