Homeward Bound Shelter Dog Training Program

  Earlier this year Arnell Humane Society and the new Polk County Restorative Justice community service program joined together to create a shelter dog training program called Homeward Bound.  The Polk County Restorative Justice program is a community based response to crime that invites non-violent offenders to address the impact of their crime, find ways to repair the harm and strengthen the community.   

     Mental Health Therapist and Arnell volunteer dog trainer Claire Scriba, created the Homeward Bound program that teaches community service workers to train shelter dogs in basic obedience skills.  Dogs are more adoptable when they know how to sit and lie down, take treats gently and wait at doors. Training and supervised play time helps the dogs handle the stress of their shelter stay and learn skills that will help them find new forever homes.  In this way, Homeward Bound workers help the community care for homeless animals by training them to be more adoptable pets. 

     Any activity can be a mirror for how we do in life.  Training a dog is a great mirror.  Homeward Bound community service workers gain insight into the animals and themselves as they work with the dogs.  They learn to interpret dog behavior and communication as part of the positive reinforcement training the dogs receive.  Workers have found that the needs they identify in shelter dogs reflect their own life priorities and this has led to some interesting discussions and realizations.  Focusing on strengths and learning from each others’ experiences, Homeward Bound workers learn skills that will help them to make positive changes in their own lives as well as in future work opportunities.        

     The change in our shelter dogs is noticeable.  The addition of basic training to daily exercise from our faithful dog walkers has given the Arnell shelter dogs the physical and emotional outlets they need.  Adopters are impressed with manners our adoptable dogs offer with little prompting.  The jumping pulling six month old Lab learns to sit and wait.  Of course the new adopter must continue the learning once they go home, but the dogs at Arnell are off to a good start with the help of the Homeward Bound program. 

     Success stories include Buddy, a surrendered Black Lab mix and Trooper, an abandoned Blue Heeler mix.  Buddy was an on-the-ball Lab with some manners under his belt.  As a surrendered pet, he was accustomed to a home and daily stimulating human interaction.  He was frustrated with life in a shelter kennel.  Homeward Bound helped Buddy keep his wits about him and sharpened his strong desire to please his human.  His brilliance found him a home in New Richmond with a single gentleman looking for a well behaved companion.  Trooper, on the other hand, came to the shelter full of ticks, rib cage showing and little knowledge of what it meant to be a faithful companion.  He adored humans but wasn't sure how he was supposed to behave.  The Homeward Bound workers were able to instill a sense of calm and understanding in Trooper that allowed him to put the best foot forward.  Trooper's adopters were impressed with his easy going nature and willingness to please.  Happy endings for all concerned.    

     Our sweet Walker Coon Hound Mix Annie finally delivered eleven adorable healthy pups on Sunday, May 30th.  Annie is doing great and is a fantastic mother.  There are six white and black puppies and five black with white forehead stripes and paws.  All of them have brown ear flaps and facial markings; cute as can be.  Annie's pups will continue to grow in our new isolation kennel until they can go to foster homes.  We will keep you updated on their progress.  Puppy Tales can be followed on the Arnell web site under Happy Shelter Tales.  We expect them to ready for adoption the beginning of August.   Arnell Memorial Humane Society, Amery, 715 268-7387 (PETS) or online:  arnellhumane.org 

ARNELL OFFERS DOG TRAINING CLASSES

     Level One Basic Obedience will teach your dog sit, come, down, wait and heel.  Manners 101 is tailored to learn appropriate behaviors for a household dog:  sit, wait, no bark/bite, no jump, greeting and potty training.  Canine Good Citizen classes will help polish your dog's behavior to qualify for the AKC title of Canine Good Citizen.  These classes are held on Saturday mornings at the Arnell Shelter in Amery. 

     Puppy Socialization and Manners classes prepare your puppy and family to succeed and are also held at the shelter, on Wednesday evenings.  Space is limited so call today to sign up for our next session.  Your dog will thank you.