The K9 Coach Class: Shelter Dog Behavior Course

Overview: The K9 Coach Class is a 12-week shelter training course taught and created by Cat Lee of K9 Wisdom. This comprehensive course is designed to enhance your dog-handling skills, teach shelter dogs basic obedience cues, and address behavior modification needs. The ultimate goal is to improve the adoptability of rescue and shelter dogs, ensuring they find and stay in their forever homes as well-mannered canine citizens.

Cat has been teaching this class successfully at local rescues for over 13 years and has 20 years of shelter and rescue dog experience. 

Course Highlights: By joining The K9 Coach Class, you'll be playing a vital role in helping rescue and shelter dogs learn manners and overcome behavior issues. Your efforts will increase their chances of successful adoption and long-term placement in loving homes.

Volunteer Opportunities: The K9 Coach Class is also an excellent opportunity for volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of shelter dogs. Here's how volunteers can benefit from participating in this course:

1. Improved Handling Skills:

   • Gain hands-on experience in handling dogs of various temperaments and needs.

   • Learn effective techniques to manage and train dogs, enhancing your overall handling skills.

2. Confidence in Working with Behavior Issues:

   • Build confidence in working with dogs that exhibit challenging behaviors.

   • Develop a deeper understanding of behavior modification techniques and strategies.

3. In-Depth Understanding of Shelter Dogs:

   • Gain insight into the unique needs and challenges faced by shelter dogs.

   • Learn to recognize and interpret canine body language and behavior, improving your ability to work with and support these dogs.

4. Contribution to Adoption Success:

   • Play a crucial role in preparing shelter dogs for adoption by teaching them essential skills and addressing behavior issues.

   • Help increase the chances of dogs finding and staying in their forever homes, making a lasting impact on their lives.

     
     

The K9 Coach Class is an invaluable opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of shelter dogs. By participating in this course, whether as a dog owner or a volunteer, you'll help them become well-mannered, confident, and adoptable companions. Your dedication and effort will contribute to their success in finding loving forever homes and enjoying a better quality of life.

Class Specifics:

Cost: $425

Class Duration: 2 hours per week

What's Included? Weekly in person classes with hands on shelter dog experience, online membership access, weekly e-books with step-by-step instructions to follow along at the shelter your volunteer at, corresponding videos to review at home, downloadable training handouts with training information and tips to common challenges.

Classes are held at our indoor heated and air-conditioned training facility in Berthoud, Colorado.

1075 1st Street

Berthoud, Colorado 80513

Focus Areas:

1. Successful Playgroups:

   • Learn how to successfully and safely run and supervise playgroups by a trainer who has been running shelter playgroups since 2005 and has trained under Aimee Sadler of Dogs Playing For Life.

   • Learn how to implement daily playgroups in your shelter and how volunteers can assist.

   • Learn how to recognize the difference between appropriate vs inappropriate play.

2. Basic Obedience:

   • Teach shelter dogs essential cues such as sit, stay, come, and heel.

   • Establish a foundation of good behavior and reliability.

3. Manners:

   • Train dogs to exhibit polite behavior in various situations.

   • Foster habits that make dogs more appealing to potential adopters.

4. Polite Leash Walking:

   • Improve leash walking habits to ensure dogs walk calmly and obediently.

   • Reduce pulling and enhance control during walks.

5. Mental Stimulation:

   • Provide activities that challenge and engage dogs mentally.

   • Prevent boredom and promote overall well-being.

Behavior Modification: In addition to basic training, The K9 Coach Class also focuses on helping dogs with specific behavior issues:

1. Body Language:

   • Learn how to recognize and read canine body language to keep yourself safe in all interactions with dogs in the shelter environment.

2. Anxiety Issues:

   • Implement techniques to reduce anxiety and build confidence.

   • Create a calm and secure environment for anxious dogs.

3. High Arousal Dogs:

   • Develop strategies to manage and reduce high arousal levels.

   • Teach self-control and calming behaviors.

4. On-Leash Reactivity/Frustration/Aggression:

   • Address reactivity and frustration that occurs on-leash.

   • Promote positive and controlled interactions during walks.

5. Specialized Socialization:

   • Provide targeted socialization for dogs needing specialized attention.

   • Help dogs adapt to new environments and social settings.

6. Resource Guarding Behavior:

   • Work on reducing resource guarding tendencies.

   • Teach dogs to share and exhibit non-aggressive behavior around resources.

7. Help for the Shy, Timid, or Deficit Dogs:

   • Build confidence in shy and timid dogs through gradual exposure and positive reinforcement.

   • Address any deficits in behavior to improve overall well-being.