In The News

To help combat their undeserved reputations as troublemakers, pit bull-type dogs are getting special training to pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test under an innovative program at the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley.
 
So far three dogs have passed the test in this program, believed to be one of the first in the nation at an animal shelter. “We heard about it from a pit bull rescue organization in New York state,” said Nadia Novik, operations manager. “However, I’m not aware of any other shelters with similar programs.”
 
The Canine Good Citizen program, started in 1989, is a certification program to recognize dogs that have good manners at home and in the community. The test has 10 parts, including walking on a leash through a crowd without pulling or barking at other dogs, remaining quiet when the owner greets another person with a dog, staying in a given spot when the owner is out of sight temporarily, and coming when called.
 
“Many dogs at the shelter have had little or no training or interaction with humans,” said Novik. “People adopting a pet are more likely to take home a well-behaved, confident dog, so we have made it a priority to work with all our dogs in teaching them basic manners as well as socializing our more fearful canine residents.
 
“The pit bull type dogs seem to make up a majority of our long-term residents, so making an extra effort with them makes sense. They need the enrichment and socialization, and generally are at the shelter long enough to complete the training for the test. When dogs are adopted prior to completing the test, we encourage their adopters to continue the training and take the test when they feel their dog is ready.
 
“In addition, pit bulls, Rottweilers and similar mixes suffer from prejudice because people are concerned that they are potentially dangerous. We do not adopt out any aggressive dog and we hold our pit-bull type dogs to the same standard as any of our other dogs. It is important that people understand that these breeds are just like any other breed — we’re just taking the extra step to make it easier for these dogs to find homes,” she added.
 
Training is provided by Novik, as well as Hillary Hayward and Sabine Muskari, adoption counselors and trainers at the shelter. It takes approximately three hours of one-on-one training each week for a month for a dog to pass the test.
 
The first dog to achieve certification was Seven, an 18-month-old pit bull/cattle dog mix, who was surrendered when his owners could no longer care for him. He was frightened, shy, nervous and distrustful when he arrived.
 
Today, in addition to being a Canine Good Citizen, he is very playful with other dogs and greets people with enthusiasm. He is still available for adoption. Since then two more dogs have qualified and are available for adoption. They are Shake, a German shepherd mix, and Bill, a 2-year-old Rottweiler mix who was abandoned at the shelter along with12 puppies. There are currently four other dogs in training for the test as well.
 
The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal welfare by providing temporary shelter for homeless animals, adopting them to qualified homes and reducing animal abuse, neglect and overpopulation through community education and spay/neuter services. More than 90 percent of its funding comes from private donations.
 
In 2009 more than 1,500 animals received services from the shelter. This includes 350 animals that were adopted, 252 lost animals that were reunited with their owners, 255 shelter animals spayed/neutered, and 387 privately owned animals that were spayed or neutered at no cost to their owners. On an average day, the shelter cares for 45 dogs and 45 cats.
 
The shelter’s annual benefit, raffle and auction will be held July 16, and tickets are still available. The winner of the raffle will receive a $10,000 gift certificate at Atkinsons’ market and does not have to be present to win.
 
Additional information is available by calling 208-788-4351 on the Internet at www.animalshelterwrv.org.