Teaching old dogs new tricks
Finding a home for all of those pets, Jackson said, requires using "every trick in the book."
"My older dogs go with me to local pet stores for adoption," Jackson said. "If the dog acts well - sits, stands rather than jumping or having to be carried or dragged in - then they have a better chance of being adopted."Jackson discovered recently that collaboration with a local trainer could mean those older pets have a better chance at adoption.
Teaming up with Cindy Kuschel, owner of Cindy's Critter Camp in Maryville for a six-week training session with master trainer John Dahman at no charge to the shelter has produced great results for dogs and shelter volunteers alike.
"These dogs were totally out of control," Jackson said. "But John was so patient and the training ended up great for the dogs and also great help for our help for the volunteers that brought the dogs and went through the training. It was amazing." The project worked so well that Kuschel, who is also passionate about animal rescue, now offers training classes for dogs at other shelters at no cost to facilitate adoption of shelter dogs.
"This worked for the shelter dogs as well as it worked for dogs that go through it with their owner - maybe better," she said. "We are inviting all area shelters to come for training."
Since training dogs is really about training people, Kuschel pointed out, even new owners of adopted pets can benefit.
"Some people are concerned about bonding with a shelter animal and some are afraid a 5-, 6- or 7-year-old dog is too old," she said. "But a majority of people want a dog for companionship and shelter dogs - mixed breed dog and older dogs, make great companions and training helps - even the older dogs."
Both Kuschel and Jackson are concerned about how the recent downturn in the economy can mean smaller businesses that support shelters cannot donate as much, and that owners who are stretched thin will turn more dogs and cats back to the shelters.
"When you get right down to it, shelters are in competition with breeders and pet shops," Kuschel said. "We have to euthanize a lot of dogs and cats in shelters in this country.
"What everyone should know is when they rescue one dog or cat, they are really saving two because they just opened a space for another."
For more information about training classes, or other services provided at Cindy's Critter Camp such as pet boarding and grooming, call 344-4096.
