Shelter Dogs;

Each year more than 10,000 pets are left in city shelters and more than 50,000 are abandoned. City shelters like Animal Care and Control are places where most pets don't make it out.

There many reasons why dogs don’t get out; because they aren’t well enough or because they don’t pass something called a “SAFER” test. A SAFER test is done to rate the temperament of the dog so it can be determined whether or not they can go into an adopted home, or to a rescue group. Shelter volunteers put down notes for each dog to know how they were with them and this increases the hope for a dog to get rescued.

The SAFER test is not always accurate, of the large amount of dogs being brought to the shelter, they can only do a test one time, and one time only (unless it is requested by a rescue to reevaluate the dog again). The purpose of this article is not to criticize the city shelters, but to bring awareness of how to properly evaluate a dog, and to know the right words to use and how to use them when evaluating a dog. Every day I get asked by rescue groups to evaluate dogs for them. When I arrive I look at the SAFER test to see why they have the behavior notes.

First impressions are important, if they are lunging or barking at the cage. Remember, oftentimes they are just scared. Shelters are loud and extremely stressful - just imagine yourself going into a place you are not sure of, you will also act very insecure.

Dogs are taken out of the cage and walked to a room where they are evaluated. There, a handler can determine the dog's behavior. Many times, a dog will not show any type of bad behavior, or will show bad behavior because of the level of frustration or insecurity. Many dogs fail tests and therefore get put to sleep, maybe unnecessarily.

I have developed a system that can help rescue groups, or handlers/volunteers to help the dog be better evaluated, it will show the real temperament of the dog. I have used this system many times and have helped place many dogs into great homes. But it must be done with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.

• When seeing a dog, remember to ask for the Evaluation card. There are different tests done, so please ask to see the person who evaluated the dog and so you can ask them questions: how was the dog when leaving the cage, what state was the dog in when getting into the room? Remember when a person is handling the leash they are holding it very tight, so a dog can pick up on everything.

• Make sure that the evaluation room has a hook, this way you can place the leash there, the less you're holding on to the leash the better, the evaluation will run smoother.

You always want to be calm when you’re entering the room where the dogs are, you don’t want to enter with any kind of emotion the dog will read it and play on that. When approaching the cage, remember to not go in a challenging way. Face sideways and show that you’re not confrontational - stay relaxed and let the dog come to you. If the dog is barking right off the bat, do not take the dog out of the cage, this will be the wrong moment for you to anything. Remember, dogs in the shelter do not get daily activities. They have alot of pent up energy. It will take time for the dog to calm down. Once the dog is calm, you put on the leash. Remember to have the leash up high close to the ears not down on the neck. You will lose control if the collar is not placed properly. Always remember that how you are in the beginning of the walk is will pave the way for the rest of the evaluation, so if you don’t show that you’re in control of the situation then you will have a problem.

Once the dog is out, start with a walk, again remember that you have to show control but also understand that the dog is very energetic, so make sure you’re strong and ready for it. Once out the door, use the rule the first 2-4 minutes the dog must use the bathroom before using any commands. This way you will have the dog's attention. Once the walk is done and you're inside, take the dog right to the evaluation room. This is where a trainer or behaviorist will take over, but that doesn’t mean you cannot watch or assist. It is my belief that you would rather see it with your own eyes rather than hear it second hand. If you’re doing the test yourself then here are a few steps to take.

• Bring the dog into the evaluation room, and clip the leash on the hook.

• Do the regular pinches you would normally do, but make sure they aren’t for too long or the dog can feel insecure and react. We don’t want a bite to happen.

• Make sure you have a fake baby toy with you, one that cries is perfect. Bring is close to the dog and make the toy touch the dog just like a child would normally touch a dog. If the dog licks too much, or wants to play with it or other then you know your answer as far as if the dog can be with a child. I have done the child test this way and it has worked many times. Many dogs have been placed at homes where they have children.

• When performing evaluations, you must make sure you have a handler that works for the shelter there. This way if you need help you have it.

A “SAFER” test must be done three times in order for you to know if a dog is adoptable and where can the dog be placed. This rule is ignored because of lack of time, which is why I ask you bring a professional with you to conduct a test with you.

The best way to know if a dog is aggressive or has other behavior issues is by doing it right. We as animal activists must always do things in threes when it comes to evaluations and they must be done right. 99% of the dogs in the shelter are written off as aggressive or fearful but yet they are not evaluated properly. Many people in the shelter system are doing the best they can, but it is also up to us to make sure we can help them. We complain that the shelter system is flawed, but yet not many people help the shelter system. My best advice is if you want to help, make sure you do it properly. In the end we are the voice of the animals and they need us to help them.

Rayner Pacheco Canine behaviorist

T-Trainers