Agility training helps special-needs dogs at Riverside Humane Society

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DailyBulletin.com

By Nita Hiltner

RIVERSIDE - The shelter dogs at the Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center have a new play area with an A-frame, tunnel, tire jump and weave poles, thanks to a generous donor.
And, they also get rewarded with hot dogs, other treats and praise for their play.

The Pet Adoption Center is treating its shelter dogs that need extra attention to agility training for a purpose. The shy dogs learn to overcome their fears and become more confident and outgoing, while the very energetic dogs get to work off that extra energy and learn to how to focus.

All the training helps reduce stress in the dogs, a major problem in a shelter environment, to make for more easily adoptable dogs and better friends and house pets for those who adopt from the shelter.

"We find the shy dogs really blossom. They become confident, friendly and more outgoing," said Leslie Holzrichter, executive assistant of programs. "The intelligent dogs with excess energy can go kennel crazy. They calm down and become much more in control."

The training is done under the supervision of Brevela Scott of Howlin' Good Times. She directs a class on Friday mornings, then volunteers use what they have learned to practice with the dogs during the rest of the week.

The training used to be done all off-site before the equipment was bought for the center with a donation that was made specifically for agility training. If a dog in training is adopted, another one goes into the program.

The agility training is for special-needs dogs. Since the adoption center is considered long-term for most of the animals, they all get training in the center's Head Start program and they get out to play and walk. No aggressive dogs are accepted into the shelter.

"Since we are long term, we have the responsibility to provide stimulus for the dogs, mentally, physically and emotionally," Holzrichter said.