Category Archives: Training

Group Play Can Work Wonders for Shelter Dogs

Paddy, a handsome white and black Border Collie mix, slinks into the play yard, his head down, tail between his legs. He backs away from the humans in the yard, wary of their intentions. Then Graham, a black retriever mix, is let in and everything changes. Paddy’s ears perk up and he slowly approaches the […]

Bringing Your New Dog Home: Five Tips for a Successful Adoption

You just saved a life. A dog at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) pulled at your heart and after visiting her, you took her home to be your companion. You’re excited but a little nervous (which is normal). It’s a big step to introduce a dog into your home, and you want to do […]

Shelter Treadmill Training Saves Shy and Stressed Out Dogs

So many of our shelter dogs come from situations of neglect. They have not had training and do not have polished manners, which leads us to the task of teaching them. Dogs thrive on learning and pleasing us. Sometimes though, they have a hard time focusing in a shelter environment. Some feed off the barking […]

Three Tips to Make Your Pet Adoption a Success

Adopting a pet from a shelter is one of the most rewarding experiences life has to offer. They bring you unconditional love, companionship and joy. Of course, adoption is a long-term commitment – so you want to be sure you are prepared and organized before making such a life-changing decision. Here are some tips that […]

Bringing Your New Dog Home

You did it! You made the decision to get a new dog, and you also decided to adopt your new dog at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Armed with scientifically proven suggestions about how to choose, you drove to shelter, walked through the kennels on the adoption floor, and promptly fell in love with the […]

Volunteers Teach Homeless Pets about Love and Acceptance

This week, I had two people tell me they can’t volunteer because the idea of witnessing the injured, neglected and abused animals who need homes would be too much for them to handle. I told them we take a more positive approach and embrace the opportunity to greet these pets in need. Because on the […]

Amazing Dogs Struggle to Find Homes Due to Kennel Stress

Last week I walked over to see the new dogs on the shelter’s intake wing. When I see the dog in kennel 8, my heart breaks. He is so scared. He is a larger dog, white with a gorgeous brown spot on his eye. He can’t make eye contact with me; he just turns and […]