Category Archives: Training

While a crate might seem too confining for your dog, it can actually be a great source of comfort for him, especially if he is insecure.

A dog crate is a plastic or collapsible metal enclosed pen that is large enough for a dog to stand up and turn around in. It is a place for the dog to be when no one is around to supervise him. If introduced correctly it can become your dog’s sanctuary – a place where he feels safe and secure. It can be a tool for helping with separation anxiety.

Dogs are extremely social and enjoy being included in family activities. Using a crate allows your dog to be inside even when you’re not home or are sleeping. Crating along with scheduled opportunities to go outside can aid in house-training because dogs don’t like to soil their sleeping areas. During the puppy stage, this confinement keeps him safe when you cannot monitor him. Crating keeps your pup away from dangers like electrical cords and choking hazards.

Some dogs at the animal shelter get panicky in their kennels with all the noise and activity around them. But they become calmer and much happier when we put them in a crate in the front lobby. These dogs, likely trained before coming to the shelter, feel safer in a crate containing a comfy dog bed and their durable toys.

One dog on the adoption floor, Nitro, was so anxious in his kennel, he would run all around, pace the floor, put his paws on the kennel door and bark in fear. But when we put him a crate in the lobby, he calmed down and became a different dog. He felt more secure in the crate, which helped him to relax and get some much-needed rest.

However, crates can be misused. No dog should spend most of his day, every day, in a crate. Crating an adult dog for more than 10 hours in a day can be considered inhumane even if he is given bathroom breaks. If your schedule requires you to be away from your dog for long days consider alternatives such as doggy daycare, a walking service or a pet sitter. 

Training experts also stress that a crate should never be used as punishment tool in training your dog.

“You want your dog to associate his crate with positive behavior,” said Karen DeCamp, Aiken County Animal Shelter Dog Trainer. “It is okay to use a crate to separate your dog from a household activity for short time-outs or naps. A safe chew toy or perhaps a Kong stuffed with peanut butter, then frozen, will provide your dog mental activity while crated.”

Finally, if you do crate your dog when you’re not home, it is important that you offset his time in the crate with needed exercise. He needs to expend his pent-up energy, so be sure to take him for a long walk or play fetch with him when you get home.

Their lives are in our hands.
By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

I have always taught my son that manners will get you everywhere in this world.

That is why we stress the importance of teaching your pet manners. So many dogs are surrendered to animal shelters for being too high energy or undisciplined.

If we don’t teach our children manners they are disliked, frustrated, angry… it just causes a lot of issues! A little ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ goes a long way!

So why is it different for your puppy or dog? Why is it ok to dump your dog off at a loud, crowded shelter because you didn’t invest the time, care and tools to help train your furry friend?

Okay, I do understand the power of frustration. I had a dog that had a taste for flip flops. Not all flip flops, just the right one from each pair. I had ten black left flip flops at one time. Now, I could have surrendered my dog, but I didn’t (at times I wanted to). Instead, I taught her what toys were appropriate by rewarding her, and got a little better at putting away my shoes. She is now my best friend and brings me more happiness than I can ever say.

Manners can be taught
When adopting a pet, you have to know there will be some bumps in the road. Once you get over those bumps it’s so rewarding and nothing beats coming home to a snuggly, well-trained pup.

Poor Badger was brought to us for having too much energy. But he just needed more exercise and training. He is so good now! He sits patiently in his kennel trying to be the best little gentleman; he just needs some love and attention. A one-year-old dog is still in the puppy stages.

Sweet Broski is a handsome mixed breed who was destined to be an only pet because he didn’t seem to like other dogs. But we discovered that although male dogs intimidate him, he plays well with most female canines. If he doesn’t follow gentle play etiquette, staff or the other dogs correct him. Broski is now not only great with people, but he’s on his best behavior with his female peers.

We provide training support to adopters
I do hope when you look for your next pet you will consider coming to the Aiken County Animal Shelter. Our dogs go through basic training with our volunteers, and they want so badly to please!

We are there to support our adopters and their new best friends. We even have the support of a local trainer, Karen DeCamp, who offers a free training session at the shelter with your newly adopted dog.

Recently surrendered dogs such as Leah, Bandit, Kodac and Jack are just some of the dogs that are wondering why they’re here and questioning what they did wrong. Moving, health of owner and unwanted are the reasons they were brought in. These surrenders sit in the corner of their kennels, they spin in circles, they don’t understand. Don’t you want to be a hero? Be theirs.

Their lives are in our hands.

JUNE SPECIAL: All dogs and cats over one year of age are free of charge at the Aiken County Animal Shelter this month!

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

Just over two years ago, FOTAS gave me the green light to start the SPOT program at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. SPOT stands for Shelter Pups with Opportunity Training. Sounds pretty vague huh? Honestly, that is because it is; it is designed to increase the opportunity for a dog to get adopted.

The goals of the program are to help the dogs learn how to learn and to address situations that they may face in a new home. We want to start them on the journey of thinking and processing information as a precursor to moving into an adopter’s home, so they are primed with the skills to figure out their new life, new schedule, new commands, new relationships, etc.

To achieve these goals, we do basic obedience work such as sit, down and come, but we also incorporate agility equipment, working around other dogs, trick training, touch work, and brain games.

Each volunteer handler is paired with a dog and that dog is “theirs” to work with until the dog is adopted. SPOT class meets every Saturday from 11am to noon and is a chance for handlers to raise questions or issues that they are having. It is also a chance for the dogs to work on their skills amongst the chaos of other dogs being around.

All dogs wear a Gentle Leader while working; both in class and during the week. This training halter gives the handler more control with an ability to turn the dog’s nose toward them while not restricting the dog in any way. As each dog is at his/her own place along the learning path, everyone works on their own tasks during class. A general principle of “no pain, no fear” governs everything with a liberal application of treats.

We have dogs that come to us at every stage of learning and knowledge. A small minority have been through formal obedience classes before and seem to know everything. Those dogs may end up working on tricks or agility or filling in gaps in their education (can they be touched all over while remaining comfortable, can they remain calm while another dog passes by them?). Other dogs come to us with no knowledge or even trust of humans at all. For them, class may just be sitting off to the side on a leash, near their handler and watching the other dogs, while getting treats. Handlers are taught to watch their dogs and let the dogs tell them what is or is not working for each step of training; an exuberant “Yes!” may be perfect for the happy go lucky dog, but scares the shy dog, so the handler chooses a quiet “good job” instead.

So, yes, the acronym SPOT is vague, but intentionally so. The program is designed to address many aspects of what it takes to get adopted and successfully transition to that new home. And to be fun, always fun!

Their lives are in our hands.

By Jennifer Jotblad, FOTAS Volunteer

When you adopt a puppy or dog from the Aiken County Animal Shelter, you receive a free training session for your new pet with Certified Professional Dog Trainer Karen DeCamp. She is the President of the Palmetto Dog Club and works closely with the dogs and FOTAS volunteers at the shelter every week.

Many dogs adopted from the County Animal Shelter do wonderfully right out of the gate. They get to their new home, fit in immediately and –with the minimum of growing pains – go on to live their best life and become a cherished member of the adopter’s family.

But sometimes there are some hiccups to address early on, while the shelter dog is adjusting to their new environment. That’s when DeCamp’s expertise and professional counsel are invaluable.

“It is so important to take time to put oneself in your dog’s place during the adoption experience!” DeCamp explained. “Their life has been turned upside down. First, when they were brought into the noisy, busy shelter environment and, again, when adopted by you. All of a sudden, they live in a new home with a new daily routine with new people and perhaps new animals. Like people, some dogs adapt to change more easily than others.”

In most cases, the training involves showing the adopters standard obedience techniques such as teaching their dog how to: heel and walk well on a leash; stop jumping up on people or furniture; sit on command; or follow proper housebreaking practices. But DeCamp also helps solve more complex behavioral challenges, such as a Welsh Foxhound with confidence issues and a shy, previously abused Staffordshire Terrier who was terrified of men.

In addition to receiving the one-hour training session, adopters are provided with DeCamp’s contact information so they can call and check in with her if they have questions or need additional training advice.

“Just like with people, each dog is an intelligent individual with different strengths and a unique personality,” DeCamp said. “In addition to resulting in a well-behaved companion to live with, obedience training improves your relationship with your new pet by increasing your communication with them.”

The free dog training session is just another benefit FOTAS provides to help ensure the adoption of your new pet is successful and as easy as possible. There are many amazing dogs at the shelter who desperately need homes. Each wonderful canine is just $35. If you are thinking of adding a new pet to your home, please stop by 333 Wire Road in Aiken or go to fotasaiken.org to see all the pets available for adoption.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director