What's in this course?

13 lessons, released once a week.

Starts the week of January 10, 2024! This intensive course will cover all aspects of shelter behavior, from intake to post-adoption support. With the help of your peers from all over the world, we will explore science and best practices in building your shelter behavior programming to meet and exceed industry standards, and to give every dog in your care the best shot at a new home. There will be an emphasis on creating written policy and protocols for your department.

Course curriculum

    1. Introduction

      FREE PREVIEW
    2. Facebook group link for discussion

    3. Perma Zoom link for all meetings, Wednesday at 10 AM or 7 PM EST (you may attend either or both meetings!)

    4. What are Standard Operating Procedures, and why do I need them?

    5. What behaviors can we help in a shelter setting?

    6. Read and handle dogs well

    7. Place dogs appropriately, and place safe dogs

    1. Learning Objectives Module 1

    2. Facebook discussion group link

    3. The Five Freedoms/Five Domains

      FREE PREVIEW
    4. The Five Domains Webinar

    5. Understanding Capacity for Care

    6. ASV Guidelines

    7. Capacity for Care calculation

    8. ASV guidelines: how do you measure up?

    9. Class Meeting #2 - Prep

    10. Your turn!

    11. Survey monkey link for this module

    12. Module 1 Quiz

    13. Resources and further reading

    14. Jan 10 PM recording

    15. Jan 17 AM recording

    16. Jan 17 PM recording

    17. Jan 24 AM zoom

    1. Learning Objectives Module 2

    2. Behavior and Intake

    3. Stray dog intake

    4. Owned Animal Relinquishment

    5. Seized/impounded animal intake

    6. Transfers from other facilities

    7. Scheduled intakes and intake diversion

    8. Fast-tracking from intake

    9. Sample Intake Forms

    10. Managing Intake Webinar

    11. Resources and further reading

    12. Survey monkey link for this module

    13. Your turn!

    14. Intake quiz

    15. Jan 31 AM Zoom

    16. Jan 31 PM zoom

    1. Learning objectives Module 3

    2. Canine body language webinar

    3. Reducing stress in shelter dogs

    4. Body language handout for staff and volunteers

    5. Shelter stress

    6. Shelter handling

    7. Walking Equipment

    8. Leash holds and body awareness

    9. Leashcraft webinar

    10. Handling difficult dogs

    11. Your turn!

    12. Survey Monkey link Module 3

    13. Quiz: body language and low-stress handling

    14. Feb 7 AM Zoom

    15. Feb 7 PM zoom

    1. Learning objectives, module 4

    2. Intro to Enrichment guest instructor: Mik Moeller!

      FREE PREVIEW
    3. Enrichment with Mik Moeller

    4. Mom Moeller's Magic Dog Biscuits

    5. Kennel setup and enrichment

    6. In-kennel enrichment ideas

    7. Out-of-kennel enrichment

    8. Arizona Humane Snack Trax treat tubes

    9. Assessing behavior from multiple points of view

    10. Pathway planning after assessment

    11. Assessment webinar with Trish and Di

    12. Survey Monkey Link

    13. Your turn!

    14. Enrichment and assessment quiz

    15. References and Resources

    16. Feb 14 AM zoom

    17. Feb 14 PM zoom

About this course

  • $30.00 first payment, $20.00 / month onwards
  • 185 lessons
  • 44 hours of video content

FAQ

  • Who Should Take This Course

    Anyone wanting to learn more about Shelter Dog Behavior. ESPECIALLY those involved in sheltering: volunteers, staff, rescues, veterinarians and vet techs, and anyone interested in a future career in animal welfare

  • What are the Topics Being Covered?

    Each week we will cover a different aspect of shelter operation from the perspective of meeting the behavioral needs of the dogs in our care. From the ASV Guidelines and Capacity for Care through Defensive Handling to Placement and Beyond, this course is THE industry standard for learning about dog behavior within the shelter. Please see the curriculum outline in the section above for weekly topics!

  • Is this a Live Course?

    The answer is yes & no! You can work your way through the webinars and written material at your own speed. You have your choice of one of two meeting times weekly via zoom (Wednesdays at 10 AM and 7 PM EST). For those who cannot make those live meetings, they will be recorded for viewing later. New modules are released weekly.

  • Are There CEUs Available for this Course?

    Yes! CCDPT- 30 CEUs IAABC-29 CEUs

  • What if I Cannot Complete the Course in the 13 Weeks?

    No need to worry! You have up to a year to complete the course material, and you will have the option to renew month-by-month after that.

Course Starts on January 10, 2024!

Join Now And Bring A Whole New Understanding to Your Shelter or Rescue!

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