Dog Behavior

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Welcome to APA!'s Dog Behavior Team!

Love working directly with the dogs? Interested in learning more about dog behavior? This is the team for you!

Be an APA! dog handler and get your one-on-one time with the pups at ANY level!

Level I: Dog Walkers & Basic Needs Program

Role: To provide the dogs with a consistent morning and evening routine where they are given potty breaks, brief walks, and positive interaction.This routine provides stability, enrichment, and stress relief in that dogs are not having to "hold it" or relieve themselves in their kennels. Focus: Routine AM/PM potty breaks & positive interaction for "G", "L" and "M" Coded Dogs.
Training: Dog Walking 101
Approved to Handle: "G" & "L" Coded Dogs, "M" & Starred "H" Coded Dogsonly with approval/check-in with Counselor or Shift Lead
Coordinator Contact: Cathy Bridge: cathy.m.bridge@gmail.com & Andy Loomis: aloomis@mail.utexas.edu

Level II: Behavior & Enrichment (B&E) Team

Role: To provide positive handling and behavior expectations, socialization, physical and mental enrichment, and time away from the shelter/adoption sites through fun off-site "field trips."To increase adoptability by improving dogs' social skills, manners, and mastery of basic commands. Focus: "M" Coded Dogs, Select "G" & "L" Coded Dogs
Training: B&E Training & one subsequent shadow session with veteran handler
Approved to Handle: "G," "L," & "M" Coded Dogs
Coordinator Contact: Amy Fitzsimmons: Amy.Fitzsimmons@austinpetsalive.org

Level III: Louie's Fresh Start Team

Role: To provide safe, stable, positive handling for dogs experiencing significant behavior challenges.To address, improve, and eliminate these behaviors and provide dogs with the type and level of support needed for successful rehabilitation and potential to thrive in an adoptive home.Focus: "E" and "H" Coded Dogs, Select "M" Coded Dogs
Training: Louie's Team Training & subsequent individual training and approval for each dog on case by case basis following shadow sessions with Approved Veteran Handlers.
Approved to Handle: "G," "L," "M,""H" & "E" Coded Dogs & "H" &"E" Dogs as Approved on Case by Case Basis.
Coordinator Contact: Brad Beam:Brad.Beam@austinpetsalive.org & Dawn Morehouse:dlmorehouse@hotmail.com

What other opportunities are available?

Dog Mentors

What? Special doggie advocates for our Louie's Fresh Start (H/E) and long-stay dogs! Mentors get to know their assigned dog, spend time with them, work on training, take the dog to events, and serve as the first point of contact for dogs in foster.
Why? To make sure our dogs who need the most support are getting it and that no dog in APA!'s program ever falls through the cracks!
Contact? Ariana Gum: >Ariana.Gum@austinpetsalive.org & Annie Johnson: anniejohnsonapa@gmail.com

Doggie Playgroup

What? Supervised off-leash socialization, play, and exercise opportunity for HQ dogs run by Counselors and Approved Handlers with volunteer support.
Why? Socialization, manners, mental and physical wellness support, dog reactivity and barrier frustration reduction, opportunity for dogs to show off their personalities to staff and adopters.
Contact? Ariana Gum: Ariana.Gum@austinpetsalive.org.

Behavioral Foster Homes (get more information)

Get the
7 Steps to Fostering a Dog
handout

What? Foster homes willing to work with our behavior team to meet the specific needs of the APA! pups! This does not mean the dog will be "hard" to foster. It just means you'll receive the support and ongoing communication from the behavior team to make sure that dog's needs are being met.
Why? A stable home environment can be instrumental in getting our dogs the support they need to thrive! Whether it's simply a 15-30 day break from the shelter for a long-stay dog or a longer term behavioral foster home for a dog can who doesn't do well in the shelter environment or needs practice living in a home, these special fosters are one of the most important tools we have for helping our dogs succeed!
Contact? Jen Germann: apa@jengermann.com

Louie's Team

Learn more
about Louie's Team

What? This is the "everything & the kitchen sink" team for our hardest to place dogs and is made up primarily of volunteers from other walks of the behavior team! We meet every two weeks to brainstorm creative marketing, fundraising, placement, and individual support solutions for our highest need dogs.
Why? Some dogs end up as long-stays for reasons we will never understand (They're perfect! Why are they still here?!) and others have specific challenges that make them more difficult to place and in higher need while in our program. Whatever the reason a dog needs extra support, Louie's Team works together to ensure we find a way to get it for them!
Contact? Cresta Rumery: cresta.rumery@live.com & Mindy Briggs mindy.briggs@yahoo.com

The Shark Tank

What? Specialized handling, socialization, confidence building, and behavior support for small breed dogs.
Why? Small breed dogs require different behavior support and positive handling than that typical of the medium-large breed dogs in APA!'s other behavior programs.
Contact? Holly Livermore: Holly.Livermore@austinpetsalive.org & Jessica Marsh: Jessica.L.Marsh@gmail.com

Healthy Dogs, Healthy People/LBL Trail site

What? Targets high energy dogs through program at Lady Bird Lake where members of the public can borrow a dog to take for a walk or run.
Why? Socialization, manners, mental and physical wellness support, particularly for high energy adolescents and young adults, running buddy adoption matches, volunteer recruitment & public outreach
Contact? Kimberly Storin:Kimberly_Storin@dell.com

Jog-A-Dog with Team Spiridon

What? Targets high energy dogs through running group partnership where local runners can borrow a dog directly from HQ to take for a jog or run.
Why? Socialization, manners, mental and physical wellness support, particularly for high energy adolescents and young adults, running buddy adoption matches, volunteer recruitment & public outreach
Contact? Rob Hill: Rob@TeamSpiridon.org

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I know which dogs I can handle?

Each of our dogs is assigned a behavior code and wears a corresponding color coded collar. The codes are as follows:

Green Collar - G:

General training/behavior knowledge. I am easy to handle and walk.Please follow all safety precautions while walking me.

Pink Collar - L:

Limited training/behavior knowledge. I am pretty easy to handle but may be a little rambunctious or scared.Please be careful with me so that I don't get loose or too close to other dogs.

Purple Collar - M:

Moderate training/behavior knowledge. Please check in with an Adoption Counselor, Trainer, or Shift lead before taking me out to interact.

Light Blue Collar - H:

Highly qualified handler. I am undergoing special training to be an awesome companion.Please ask an Adoption Counselor, Shift Lead or Trainer how you can arrange a visit with me.

Dark Blue Collar - E:

Extensive experience with training/behavior. I am off limits right now while I undergo special training.Please check with an Adoption Counselor to find out more about me and how to meet/walk me.
Can I sign up for more than one volunteer opportunity?

Yes! Most behavior team volunteers participate in more than one of the above opportunities. :-) What you choose to do is completely up to you!
How does the Behavior Team communicate with one another?

When you join the Behavior Team, you'll be added to our google group. As a member of the Dog-Behavior-Team google group, you'll receive a single weekly update every Monday announcing training and volunteer opportunities, updating you on our programs, and letting you know which dogs YOU helped get adopted that week, as well as any special announcements as necessary.

Some individual teams listed above have additional communication means. Please see the contact info above, along with each person's corresponding program area(s).
What should I do if I have a question?

Ask! You are encouraged to contact your team lead any time you have a question, feedback, or want to share an experience (positive or negative) that you've had with a dog!