Update: May 7-10, 2012

Visit to AC; Notes by Dulce Garcia:

It's always a charm working with kenneled dogs; you learn many new things about their personalities the more you spend time with them. They are capable of performing the same acceptable behaviors as any dog living in a home environment can do.  Obviously they lack the freedom to explore the world and experience new things daily. With the program A Home for All, we hope to bring the dogs the following:

• Structure and a routine 
•  Daily walks with different volunteers everyday
• Meeting new people regularly which is essential as they begin to associate the presence of new people with positive things
• Much needed breaks from the kennels 
•  Participation in different activities. 

By providing enrichment and ways to stimulate their minds outside and inside the kennels their behavior will improve.  We will teach these dogs that when they are calm, they get attention as opposed to when they are jumping or barking at us.  This is very important because they begin to learn appropriate manners in order to increase their chances of adoption. They become more presentable dogs; not quite a show dog but a dog that a person can envision living in their home. 
This program couldn't be possible without the support of others with the same vision and willingness to help make a difference for these dogs.  These dogs are on the road to learning to cope out in the real world outside of their kennel lives. It's always a happy moment to see their improvements

Meet Our Barrio Dogs

Amos

Amos. Very social dog with a bad skin condition. It's difficult to watch him scratch obsessively but he is being treated for the condition; it will just take some time for him to recover from life in the streets. During kennel enrichment time he scratches less; also when it's time to go out for a walk. We expect to see him get better and improve healthwise.

Cooper

Cooper. I recently found out that he is a former bait dog. He does have a few scars that are visible on his face and body.  He has been responding to basic training very well and enjoys his daily walks. The only time he pulls on the leash is when he sees another dog. He doesn't bark or growl at them he's just happy going over to sniff. Training goals: teach him to walk well on leash and especially ignore other dogs as he is a strong dog that can pull.

Derek

Derek.  Found by a volunteer and was later discovered to have a bullet in one of his paws. He's a social dog towards humans and dogs--a big plus.  He has accidentally gotten reinforcement for whining and barking when he is left alone. He walks well on a leash but is a strong boy.  Training goals: teach him that when he is left alone he does not get attention for whining, crying or barking—he will not get attention that way. Also teach him some leash manners to improve his skills as he's on the right paw. 

Ennis

Ennis. He was found abandoned still inside his crate. Was fostered, then adopted, then returned. He's still a puppy so that means loads of energy. He tends to get really excited when he sees the leash; he associates it with getting out of his kennel. His favorite activities are enrichment time and social time. He's good with all dogs and people.  His only fear? CARS. Taking him on walks can be a scary experience for him and he will pull on the leash and go the opposite way to try to avoid cars. Training goals: reinforce “sits” before putting the leash on him and before taking him out of the kennel.  We have started using positive reinforcement training with him.  I have re-introduced him to cars by beginning a behavior modification program just for him. Long story short: from now on Cars=Treats=Good Things.  It's good to walk him with Sugar since she is confident and he tends to pick up on her calm behavior when walking near cars.

Izzy

Izzy.  Sweet, good-natured, social with dogs and people, already knows how to sit. Why hasn't she been adopted? We don’t know but think it may be her breed; also, she hasn’t been attending adoption events, something we plan to change. She is good on a leash and would be a star in doggy sports. Training goals: teach her not to jump on people. Reinforce “sits” at all times before getting any attention.

Kiddo

Kiddo.  Timid puppy = red flag. Now is the time to begin introducing him to the world slowly...to sounds, people, new experiences, all in a positive way. New visitors are encouraged to walk slowly and quietly near or around him. He seems to feel more comfortable that way. Let him be the one to come up to you and say hello.  He loves toy balls. They're his favorite and if you give him one, he'll pick it up when you're not looking and run with it. Training goals: Teach him to be calm around strangers and hopefully you will be able to take him out on a walk. His best friend is Izzy but we encourage working with him alone at times.

Lucy

  
Lucy.  She's very sweet, calm and enjoys going out for walks. She runs perfectly next to you and would make a perfect jogging buddy.  Her skin condition was terrible but it is improving. She loves company and always seems very happy to see guests.

Raven

Raven.  He looks scary to some people because he’s a big, black, loud dog that tends to bark when you approach his kennel. I suspect kennel reactivity; once he’s let out, he is doesn't bark or display aggressive behavior. He also has a skin condition that has not yet cleared up. He is good with other dogs but barks at strangers. He doesn't offer much eye contact and has developed a routine from living in a kennel for so long: he goes out to potty and tries to run back to kennel. We want to encourage him to spend time outside the kennel playing or socializing. Training goals: ignore when he's barking. He gets treats and attention when he's quiet. Please reward him when he makes eye contact and work on his confidence.

Sugar

Sugar. A calm puppy, great on a leash and perfect for beginner level volunteers. Training goals: improve her leash walking skills and teach a few basic manners (not that she really needs it).

Wallis

Wallis.  Great looking dog, beautiful coat but very timid. He will not approach strangers and will not eat in front of people. Training goals: work on associating the presence of humans/strangers with a positive experience.



Facts: on May 11, 2012, there are 10 total Barrio Dogs boarded at AC

4/10 dogs have a black coat
3/10 have "pit" in them
5/10 suffer from skin conditions (treatable)
4/10 have some kind of scarring
3/10 are not comfortable around strangers but it's manageable