Shelter to become no barking zone

Kathy Toppins
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND November 17, 2008 11:11 pm

— With just 5 minutes, a clicker and a pocket of soft treats, Edmond Animal Welfare Specialist Kristen Wilson calmed a room of barking dogs at the Edmond Animal Shelter. She demonstrated the reinforcement technique to 13 volunteers who attended a shelter dog training program on Thursday.
“Our goal is to create a no barking, no jumping zone throughout the shelter,” Wilson said. To reach that goal, she said, “We have to consider our behavior from the dog’s perspective. When we go to dogs that are barking or jumping,” she said, “the dogs learn that those behaviors will bring the attention they crave.”
To discourage barking and jumping, Wilson recommended that volunteers practice a “click and treat” technique with the dogs.
Wilson demonstrated the technique in the adoptable dog room, turning away from any dog that barked or jumped, and rewarding any dog that remained quiet with four feet on the floor. Training began with small steps. Wilson looked alert, but calm as she walked a line of kennels and reacted quickly to the behavior she observed.
She followed the advice she gave the group earlier. “If the dog stops barking, even just long enough to catch a breath, use a clicker or say ‘yes’ and give the dog a treat. If a dog gets four feet on the floor, even just for a moment, use a clicker and give the dog a treat.”
Volunteers expressed amazement as the dogs in the adoptable room began to recognize and practice the behavior she rewarded. The usually raucous room became calm.
Wilson said her ultimate goal is to improve the likelihood that the homeless dogs will be adopted. “They’re more likely to be adopted,” Wilson said, “if they’re not jumping and barking when a visitor comes by their kennel.”
Wilson brought her well-trained dog, Blitzie, to demonstrate other simple commands such as sit, wait, let’s go and leave it. She used a combination of words and hand signals, but said dogs respond to hand signals faster. The training also included instruction on bringing dogs out of their kennels and walking them.
With so many volunteers handling the dogs and new dogs arriving every day, Wilson said she didn’t expect perfection in the no bark, no jump zone. She did encourage volunteers to practice the techniques she demonstrated whenever they have the opportunity. She proved working for just 5 or 10 minutes per room can have a big impact, but said good habits require regular reinforcement.
“We have to be more persistent than the dog,” Wilson said.

TO GET ACQUAINTED with the cats and dogs available for adoption, come by the shelter at 2424 Old Timbers Drive, on the southeast corner of Interstate 35 and Covell Road, or call Edmond Animal Welfare, 216-7615. The shelter is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Information about adoptable animals is available online by going to www.edmondok.com and clicking on “Adopt A Pet.”

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