Starting off on the Right Paw

The numbers of animals that appear at shelters across the country annually are well beyond staggering. According to the ASPCA: "Approximately 5-7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year."

But there are dedicated individuals and groups right here, within the North Fork community, who are taking huge strides in making sure these numbers don't go anywhere but down. Both the and at the Town of Southold Animal Shelter are trying to help in numerous ways — one way is by putting an emphasis on the early training, and socialization of dogs.

Members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the International Association of Canine Professionals Dawn Bennett, a lifetime animal lover and AKC evaluator, and Asha Gallacher, who has a natural gift with dogs and is a certified ABC Dog trainer have found their niche. While starting the North Fork School for Dogs to guide owners, and their canines into having better relationships, they're also driven to save dog's lives. And over the years, they've proven themselves in doing an incredible job at both. Their motto coming directly from their hearts defines their sincerest mission: "To stop dogs from winding up in shelters."

Dog training in the early years in a dogs life is crucial.

"People don't realize the window of opportunity they have to train their dog," said Bennett. "Ideally, training can begin as early as eight weeks."

This is why the North Fork School for Dogs offers training based on the AKC Puppy S.T.A.R. (Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibity) program.

Bennett stresses the following.

"Early socialization is a key component in raising a socially healthy dog," she said. "In class, dogs have the chance to be social together, and with other humans as well."

She and Gallacher make sure they expose the puppies to different people, other dogs and different situations. 

"We create a bunch of different types of scenarios and expose the puppies to them, so they're as comfortable as possible in different situations," she said.

Curbing such undesired and dangerous behaviors such as fear and aggression is all part of their plan. Even though they feel that training should start young, Bennett and Gallacher "do not approve of the complete early removal of dogs from their mom and littermates," as this can have "serious negative repercussions" .

Gillian Wood-Pultz, animal shelter director, explains how they help foster healthy lifelong socializing techniques in their resident puppies.

"They first learn the most important parts of socializing from their moms and siblings," she said. "We could never teach them what their canine families can, and definitely not in the same way."

So in order to ensure this natural process happens in a shelter setting, they do the following.

"If we have a resident momma dog with puppies, we hold the puppies until they're at least 10 weeks old."

Although understanding that potential adopters may hold some agnst against the procedure, in anticipation of taking home the smallest cutest puppy possible, she responds as follows.

"We all know how cute a puppy is, and of course everyone wants to bring it home as soon as possible. But when all is said and done, babies must stay as long as possible with their mom — it's the best thing for everyone." 

Both Bennett and Gallacher firmly believe in positive training.

"To obtain positive results, we use positive reinforcement."

It's the only way they will teach. While sit and stay are things that are important things to learn, Bennett, Gallacher, and Wood Pultz all agree that behavior training is even more important.

Within their training classes, Bennet and Gallacher also stress relationship management by trying to make owners aware that every day habits can automatically set off a puppies unwanted behavior. Bennett gives an example.

"Simple things like closing the trash can will deter a dog from tearing threw it," she said.

Making simple adjustments like these along with many others can help both owner and canine live harmoniuosly together and will set them both up for success.

People must also keep a constant eye on puppies. 

"Always keep one eye on your dog and one on your environment," said Bennett.

Lack of or not sticking with behavior training often has devastating affects towards the well-being and livelihood of many dogs.

"The majority of dogs in our shelter are here due to owners not taking enough time in training their dog, so it can acquire desired behavior," said Wood Pultz. "They feel it's strictly an obedience thing, but it's more of a behavior one, and there's an extremely big difference between the two".  

The North Fork Dog School is grateful to be a part of a this community and to continue to be a positive answer to the problems that owners and their canine companions may have together. They utilize places like the for an upcoming Puppy S.T.A.R program, and the Greenport Recreation Center, where they just completed a series of training classes.

"Utilizing facilities such as these, is a win-win situation for all,"  Bennett said. "We love it because it helps us offer lower rates to our clients."

Check out their most current S.T.A.R. puppy class at the Town of Southold Recreation Center running on Wednesdays from Feb. 9 t0 March 31.