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Saturday, July 31, 2010

Dog Training Camp

Friends' commitment to the dogs we rescue extends beyond providing food, shelter, and medical care. Some dogs require professional training to help them overcome behavioral issues that prevent them from getting adopted in a timely fashion. Support a dog who is in need of behavior modification training, and make a real difference for a dog who needs the extra help.

Kimmie, adopted Nov. 2008

Many Friends dogs get adopted quickly, but some have a harder time finding homes. Maybe the dog is strong on the leash, doesn't get along well with other dogs, has fear/dominance issues, or is just in need of some basic manners. Although our volunteers try their hardest to work with the dogs, some really need the one-on-one training that they can only receive from a professional dog trainer. We work with an excellent trainer who takes in our dogs for two weeks at a time so they can get consistency in their training, and the daily exercise they need.

However, the training shouldn't end there. If the dogs come back to our shelter after their training camp, they will once again be in a situation where what they learned isn't reinforced on a regular basis. Therefore, we hope that these dogs can have either foster or adoptive homes lined up for them. They dog will come to you completely trained, and eager to please. Our trainers will teach you the skills you need to reinforce what the dogs have already been taught.

If you are unable to foster or adopt a dog, then please consider making a donation for our training fund. We have had great success with quickly finding loving, permanent homes for dogs who otherwise might have waited for months or even years at our shelter to find a home. Any amount you are willing to spare is greatly appreciated.

If you are a professional dog trainer who uses positive-reinforcement techniques, and are interested in offering your services for our dogs - particularly those with aggression issues - please contact us at 703-385-0224 or foha_info@foha.org.

We would like to thank Carla Nammack-Wenger of Country Club Kennels & Training for providing behavior modification training for our dogs who await permanent homes.

We would also like to thank Cameron Glahe of The Animals House and Teri Romano for offering training and behavioral support for our fostered and adopted dogs.

Meet Herschell & Ramona

Current Dogs-In-Training

Herschell and Ramona are two gorgeous Redbone Coonhounds who found themselves homeless when their family decided that three young kids and two dogs were more than they could handle. Herschell and Ramona are as sweet and loving as they come... they are wonderful with kids, housebroken, love going for walks, and have great house manners.

They are currently in training to tweak their basic obedience skills and polish to a shining gleam their manners in anticipation of finding their family and forever home sometime very, very soon!

If you are interested in adopting Herschell & Ramona, call 703-385-0224 or e-mail doginfo@foha.org.

If you are interested in fostering Herschell & Ramona, call 703-648-9409 or e-mail fosteradog@foha.org.

March 5, 2010 -- Both are great & LOVE to run and play together. They've done well with their commands. Herschell and Ramona will make a nice & affectionate, loving pair for the right household (hopefully, one with a nice, safe fenced yard)!

Feb. 8, 2010 -- The beautiful hounds, Herschell and Ramona have settled in nicely and are enjoying themselves. They're very happy with all the running and chasing every day. No problems with unsolicited "song," barking/baying... yahoo!

The incredibly sweet hounds are well and have been on their best behavior! They are very relaxed and calm when they're together. I can understand why you find them to be so sweet and wonderful. I hope someone comes along soon for the pair, as they certainly deserve it and will make someone very happy, if they just get the chance. I will be more than happy to work with them on their basic skills and manners!

Meet Wally

Current Dog-In-Training

Wally is a handsome English Setter/Hound mix who is a well-behaved, wonderful dog who has some trust issues. If he can learn the social skills he needs to thrive in a new home, he is going to be an outstanding friend and companion. Please consider fostering or adopting him after he completes his training camp.

If you are interested in adopting Wally, call 703-385-0224 or e-mail doginfo@foha.org.

If you are interested in fostering Wally, call 703-648-9409 or e-mail fosteradog@foha.org.

Jan. 23, 2010 -- Wally came to CCK&T on January 10, 2010 for training/socialization. While Wally came to us with some trust issues, I do feel that he is a good dog who wants someone to love him. Possibly, some time in his life, he may not have been treated with the kindest of hands. I have been working on getting him to relax and trust and enjoy human touch. He hasn't given anyone here any problems at all. He loves having his "rear end rubbed/scratched and will sometimes do a little "jig"! He is fine with me putting a gentle leader on his face and enjoys it when I pet him.

He is doing very well with his lessons (he actually knew some of his commands before coming) and is improving his doggie socialization skills. He can now go out in playgroup with a few pretty females and we will be working him into a male/female group soon. Wally's favortie friend here is a beautiful hound mix named Shandy (who was also once described as dog aggressive). Wehn they are out in playgroup they love to chase each other around the field. It's great to see him have so much fun. Wally also knows some tricks and enjoys showing them off. He likes to extend his paw for a "shake" and will jump up on command to give you a double high five with a big smile on his face! It's great to see him enjoying life and being so enthusiastic about learning.

I feel Wally would probably do best in a quiet home without a lot of commotion. I think he would be great for an older person as he is a wonderful companion and doesn't require as much exercise as some other dogs would. He is well trained, knows all his obedience commands and just needs someone who can be gentle with him and love him. Again, someone is going to be lucky to get this one!

Next-In-Line For Training

Timber is an older, gentle Black Lab mix who has waited a long time to find his forever home. He gets defensive when people approach him too quickly. He needs to learn how to be more trusting, so hopfully training and socialization will help him overcome his anxiety issues. He is a gorgeous dog who is housebroken and well-behaved. He just needs a quiet, understanding family.

Timber's training cost was generously donated by a FOHA volunteer!

If you are interested in adopting Timber, call 703-385-0224 or e-mail doginfo@foha.org.

If you are interested in fostering Timber, call 703-648-9409 or e-mail fosteradog@foha.org.