26 Feb 2025
Enhancing Shelter Practices with Wolf Mother K9
By Humane Society of Ventura County
In the fast-paced world of animal shelters, understanding the behavior and needs of the dogs in our care is vital to their well-being. Recently, our team had the incredible opportunity to participate in a mentorship program led by Saharai Salazar from Wolf Mother K9. The 3-day training focused on improving our staff's skills in handling, evaluating, and enriching the lives of shelter dogs. This workshop also provided the team with invaluable insights into canine behavior, defensive handling techniques, and enrichment strategies that will shape our approach to shelter care moving forward. Here’s a look at what we learned during the mentorship and why it’s such an exciting development for our team and the dogs we care for! A significant portion of the mentorship focused on understanding canine body language, a vital skill for anyone working with dogs, especially in a shelter setting. Interpreting a dog’s physical cues can make all the difference in assessing their emotional state and knowing how to approach it. The workshop helped animal care staff refine their ability to identify signals that indicate fear, excitement, aggression, or relaxation. Simple details like the position of a dog’s ears, tail, or posture can give us important clues about their mood and comfort level. This knowledge helps us ensure we approach each dog with respect for their personal boundaries and emotional state. Handling shelter dogs can be challenging, particularly when dealing with dogs who are fearful, anxious, or reactive. In these situations, knowing how to handle a dog defensively—while maintaining both the dog’s and handler’s safety—is critical. The mentorship included hands-on practice with defensive handling techniques and teaching staff how to calmly manage high-stress situations without escalating the dog’s anxiety. Whether a dog is fearful of human contact or displaying signs of aggression, these handling methods empower our team to approach the situation with confidence and care, keeping both ourselves and the dog safe. One of the core aspects of the mentorship was learning how to conduct welfare-based evaluations for shelter dogs. These evaluations are crucial in understanding a dog’s temperament, needs, and suitability for adoption or potential placement in a foster home. Through role-playing exercises and real-life examples, we learned how to assess a dog’s behavior while keeping their emotional welfare at the forefront. By using compassionate evaluation methods, we can avoid placing additional stress on the dogs and gain a deeper understanding of their personalities and behavior. This skill will not only help staff determine the right fit for adoption but also ensure that we can provide the best possible care for each dog.
