tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684843.post4419269239809524256..comments2024-03-26T22:16:26.572-04:00Comments on Terrierman's Daily Dose: Killing Dogs in Shelters and Other "Humane" TalesPBurnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05781540805883519064noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684843.post-85015166883039948102017-08-04T09:23:48.880-04:002017-08-04T09:23:48.880-04:00Many moons ago a fellow dog trainer and I were run...Many moons ago a fellow dog trainer and I were running a training class for volunteers at a shelter. One of the kennel staff wanted us to work with a large coonhound that had been surrendered because he was sure it would be a great family pet. All I can say is thankfully he steered it towards our program and the dog wasn't adopted out. It is the first (and last) time I have ever had to string a dog up to keep my face intact. And I am fortunate there was another experienced dog trainer to help me get the dog back to a kennel. Most shelter personnel are not skilled observers and not knowledgeable about dogs. "Testing" is a matter of rote - here is the list of things to do so just run down the list. The value of observing a dog in the kennel over time seems to be ignored. It really isn't that difficult to evaluate a shelter dog if one knows how to observe. The problem I am currently seeing is that there is the belief that "every" dog is adoptable (plus the numbers game -- it doesn't matter if the dog is suitable for a certain home or not, just adopt it out anyway.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684843.post-82523624740850451002017-08-03T13:33:22.822-04:002017-08-03T13:33:22.822-04:00The article that this came from was discussing the...The article that this came from was discussing the issue of placing potentially dangerous dogs into people's homes, not about the humane/no-kill movement. And I think it brings up a valid concern. If shelter staff cannot accurately identify dogs that would make great pets, then how can they accurately identify dogs that might kill or maim someone? It seems like there just aren't enough people (whether it's shelter staff or potential adopters or even rescue volunteers) who know how to properly evaluate and assess a dog's behavior, let alone manage the dog once it's been adopted. I honestly don't know what the solution is. Is it worse to kill a dog who fails a temperament test but who would make a great pet, or is it worse to adopt a dog out to the public who then goes on to bite and injure people?Stoutheartedhoundshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10559384521672598593noreply@blogger.com