Dog Training

Thank you so much for welcoming a foster animal into your home! While your foster is with you, it is a great time to get them started with some basic training. Even if they will only be with you for a short period of time, starting to lay the groundwork for basic manners will help them transition smoothly in to a new home. Please take a look at the training videos below and get ready to have fun with your foster!

If you have any questions while training your foster, please contact the foster team ONLY. 

There may be alternative contact info given in these videos, but please DO NOT USE THIS INFO. Only contact foster@kyhumane.org with questions about your foster.

This info is for KHS fosters ONLY. Please do not share with people outside of the Kentucky Humane Society foster system. Thank you!

To get started, you'll want to have your foster dog, a computer with internet access, all your training supplies, and a quiet space. If you have other dogs in your home, please make sure they are safely separated from you and your foster dog during your training sessions.

You will need these basic supplies:

• small, tasty treats (roughly pea-sized for most dogs. Yes, even large dogs 🙂)

• a flat buckle collar or body harness (we can provide this if needed)

• a 6-foot nylon or leather leash

If you have children, they can participate in training with direct supervision by an adult and only after you have worked with your foster and know they are comfortable with the training process.

Homework

Week 1 Homework and Guide

Week 2 Homework and Guide

Week 3 Homework and Guide

Week 4 Homework and Guide

Week 5 Homework and Guide

Week 6 Homework and Guide

Helpful Articles

Position statements: 

• The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has several position statements that reflect the society’s opinion on topics such as dominance and the use of punishment.

• The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers has a document called “Application of the Humane Hierarchy Position Statement.” 

• The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants has a document called “IAABC Position Statement on LIMA.” 

Using punishment: 

• “What’s Wrong with This Picture? Effectiveness Is Not Enough”

•  “It Makes No Sense to Punish a Fearful Dog” 

• “Dog Whispering in the 21st Century” 

Using shock collars: 

• “The End for Shock Collars?” 

• What Experts Say

On dominance theory: 

• “What’s Wrong with Using Dominance to Explain the Behaviour of Dogs?”

• “Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals”, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior

• “Dominance and Dog Training”, Association of Professional Dog Trainers

Studies: 

• “You Can Cross Over, But You Can’t Cross Back” 

• “If You’re Aggressive, Your Animal Will Be Too, Says Veterinary Study” 

• “New Study Finds Popular ‘Alpha Dog’ Training Techniques Can Cause More Harm than Good” 

Recommended Reading

If you want to know more about relationship-based training, here are some books that we recommend: 

Before You Get Your Puppy and After You Get Your Puppy 

by Dr. Ian Dunbar Dunbar, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist, covers what he calls the “developmental deadlines” to meet before and after you get your puppy. 

Don’t Shoot the Dog! The New Art of Teaching and Training 

by Karen Pryor Pryor clearly explains the underlying principles of behavioral training and uses numerous examples to show how to achieve your training objectives through positive reinforcement. She also has a website on clicker training. 

The Culture Clash 

by Jean Donaldson. Donaldson presents a revolutionary new way of understanding the relationship between humans and animals. 

Outwitting Animals: Revolutionary Techniques for Animal Training That Work 

by Terry Ryan. Ryan draws on her 25 years of hands-on experience to help people understand animals, train animals, and solve animal behavior problems using kinder, gentler methods. 

Dog-Friendly Dog Training 

by Andrea Arden. This is a great book for beginners. 

Cat Sense 

by John Bradshaw. Renowned anthrozoologist John Bradshaw uses scientific research to dispel myths and help readers to understand cats on a deeper, more compassionate and more functional level. 

The Cat Who Cried for Help 

by Dr. Nicholas Dodman. Dodman, a veterinary behaviorist, offers practical solutions to common behavior issues in cats through providing a deeper understanding of feline nutrition, enrichment and behavior modification.

Starting from Scratch: How to Correct Behavior Problems in Your Adult Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett 

Cat behavior expert Pam Johnson-Bennett gives detailed instructions on how to address common behavior issues using relationship-based training methods. 

Good Bird! and The Parrot Problem Solver by Barbara Heidenreich 

Good Bird! is a short, easy-to-read guide on the basics of using relationship-based training methods to train parrots. The Parrot Problem Solver offers more in-depth information on how to address common behavior issues in parrots. 

The Art and Science of Clicker Training for Horses by Ben Hart 

Ben Hart provides a broad overview of how to use relationship-based training methods to better understand and communicate with horses. 

You Can Train Your Horse to Do Anything by Shawna Karrasch 

This book contains easy-to-understand instructions and information on how to use relationship-based training methods to train horses. 

Other resources 

Check out the many resources on the Best Friends website. 

Reputable dog experts and authors and a selection of their books 

Karen Pryor 

• Don’t Shoot the Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training 

• Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs 

• Reaching The Animal Mind 

Dr. Patricia McConnell, DVM 

• The Other End of the Leash 

• Puppy Primer 

Dr. Ian Dunbar, DVM 

• Doctor Dunbar’s Good Little Dog Book 

• Before and After You Get Your Puppy 

Dr. Sophia Yin, DVM 

• How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves 

• Perfect Puppy in Seven Days 

Recommended Titles by reputable dog experts and authors 

Juvenile Delinquent Dogs: The Complete Guide to Saving Your Sanity and Successfully Living with Your Adolescent Dog 

by Sue Brown 

How Dogs Learn 

by Mary R. Burch, PhD and Jon S. Bailey, PhD 

A Kids' Comprehensive Guide to Speaking Dog!: A Fun, Interactive, Educational Resource to Help the Whole Family Understand Canine Communication 

by Niki Tudge