How Prison Programs Can Help Get Your Dog Trained Well

After bonding with my four wonderful and loving canines for a year, I realized that some habits had formed from showering them with attention. After a visit with some friends, I noticed that a few behaviors were not as endearing to others as they were to me.

Having them during mealtime revealed that they had become quite prolific beggars and had significant expectations. My husband sharing his toast and other scraps from the table served to make matters worse. My effort to change this behavior on both sides was futile. It became obvious that in fact, they had trained us quite well to jump to accomodate them.

Nagged by the incessant nudging of my hand by the nose of two of my dear ones, I too, ceased to find this amusing. I realized that it was growing increasingly annoying when I was busy gardening or doing other chores. As you can see from the pictures, it made things no so enjoyable, even though we had grown used to it. Having them all around us felt more like a roundup, as they continuously circled around us vying for attention. Change was required, and it was time to find solutions. I couldn't do this alone.

Conveniently, at the correctional facility where I served as chaplain, they began a canine training program that allowed inmates to work and be trained for future employment upon release. As I spent time in this unit, I was quickly impressed not only by the ability of dog behavior to be changed, but by the quality of care exhibited by the offenders towards the animals which were sometimes rescued from shelters. As the animals responded to the tender, nuturing care of the women, I realized that a need to care for others was being rekindled in them and that they were less lonely and troublesome. The dogs, in response to the care, wanted to please their trainers and began conforming progressively in their behavior.

After being invited to a "go home" class where the first pets were selected for adoption and their training demonstrated by the handlers, I was quite impressed to see great results after 30 days. I recognized the opportunity to make some changes at home, and requested to enroll the two most problematic of my pets. My pets, because of my employment had to be taken to other facilities, so the inmates didn't know that they belonged to me and so that I didn't interfere with their training or correction. Now that is wisdom on someone's part, not because of any negative reason other than my own tendency to indulge.

At the end of the training, you attend a demonstration class where you are shown what your dog knows and you get to practice the commands so you are comfortable in reinforcing their behavior. Dogs are so smart, they try to convince you when you get them home that they learned nothing new, just so they can train you! Renarkably, when two of them returned, the others adapted to their good behavior and the commands, and no further problems ensued.

For these reasons, I highly recommend considering one of the most under-publicized valuable programs, Correctional K9 Training. Two of my animals were initially trained for 6 weeks (rather than the usual 4 for training) in the Colorado Correction Industries dog training program. They also have boarding-in programs as a follow-up to initial training, and because of effectiveness, have a 3 month waiting list. My female shepherd came back as a confident, obedient blessing in contrast to the cowering non-alpha female in our 4 dog pack. My Hank, a lab mix, came back with an assortment of delightful tricks, which endear him to everyone he meets.

Giving both dogs this opportunity also provided a possibly bored inmate an opportunity to care for something beyond themselves, which, as I mentioned becomes a transformational process for many. Upon my animals' return both in training and boarding, I received a daily journal from the inmate which not only noted insights on the temperament and progress of each dog, but conveyed gratitude for providing an otherwise unavailable opportunity for their personal growth. DVD's of your dog's training are also available, and give your family an opportunity to see the OTHER side of prison life, rather than reality tv. What a concept! I cried when I watched how the dogs bonded with their handlers and vice-versa. I know from first hand experience that the inmates sometimes cry when the dogs go home. Now that is a simple gift of love.

During the boarding stay which occurred about a month ago, my dogs were walked at least a mile twice a day, trained by a personal attendant, fed whatever you prefer if they are boarded in, washed, brushed and paws clipped. If you decide not to use their food (which is included in the fee). The cost was one-third less two weeks boarding at a kennel, which generally provide no exercise and exposure (contamination) of your dog with dogs of unknown origin or veterinary care.

The Dog Training Program offers a refresher course and help when you need it....For Free! I'll bet you won't get that guarantee from a kennel or training program without paying for it!