ABQJOURNAL VET: A day at the park

Friday, October 29, 2010

A day at the park

Journal Staff Report
          A brindle pit bull mix, all muscle and confidence, shows off what he has learned. Through the tunnels, over the bar jump and through the tire jump, up on the A-frame, up and then down on the teeter-totter, up, across and down the dog walk, Kale demonstrates what the new dog park at Animal Humane New Mexico is all about.
        Two months ago, he arrived here as a stray, his back slashed with chemical burns, possibly battery acid.
        About a month ago, Lyndsay Johnston, who fostered and then adopted him, started working agility with Kale, who at the time knew "absolutely nothing," she says, not sit, not stay. The first time on the dog walk, "He wouldn't budge."
        On this day, he goes through the paces. "Teeter, Kale," Johnston says, or "walk it," or, as Kale jumps off the dog walk a few inches before reaching the bottom, "Aw, you cheated." His back is zig-zagged in light blue, where sunscreen has been applied. The hair that had been burned off has not grown back.
        Kale gets teensy crumbs of cheese, frequent praise and quick, affectionate pats when he performs.
        "He's not what you would think of as an agility champion," says Johnston, an assistant behavior specialist, "but he's awesome."
        While Kale exhibits what he's learned, he's also showing off the dog park, 8,500 landscaped, fenced square feet that contains 6,800 square feet of antimicrobial, synthetic grass that's cleaned off with automatic irrigation and vinegar, grass that is as pristine and springy underfoot as new carpet.
        Shade cloth, 3,500 square feet of it, can be stretched overhead in hot weather. To one side is a smaller park for dogs 20 pounds and under.
        Agility training is "a fun way to use their minds and get exercise. It gives them a real nice experience while they're here," says Animal Humane's behavioral specialist, Susan Reaber.
        The park is part of life for the shelter's canines, a place volunteers bring them for teaching manners and teaching agility. The dogs are schooled, but it's like taking the kids to the playground, Reaber says.
        For now, the park belongs to Animal Humane's residents. Volunteers and staff will bring them to the park as part of the dogs' routine, with time for play groups and training.
        In January, Animal Humane expects to announce opening it to alumni, dogs that have been adopted from Animal Humane or that have attended the shelter's training program, and to well-behaved general-public dogs that pass Animal Humane muster.
        The private, nonprofit shelter does more than house homeless animals. It wants to create a lifelong bond between adopted and adoptee, a good and healthy relationship that lasts. Socialization, enrichment, play, behavior modification and training all help make the potential pets more adoptable, and far more likely to stay adopted.
        The "Meet Your Match" program, for example, evaluates dogs for their energy level, sociability, manners and other traits; when you adopt, you'll have a much better idea of the dog's personality and whether it's the right pet for you.
        The dog park is part of that mission, an education. (Cats have their own socialization opportunities.)
        The agility course, Reaber says, gives a dog something to think about, "It's not just walking around campus."
        For many dogs, it might be the first time ever that it can use its body and its brain; Keaber says most behavior problems, such as aggression or fearfulness, arise in dogs because they're isolated.
        "People get them and stick them in the backyard," she says, a fate endured by most of the dogs that get to Animal Humane and other shelters.
        "If you've got a problem with a cat or dog, call Animal Humane," Reaber says, and about 40 people a month do that.
        "We can make them better."
        Animal Humane New Mexico's Behavior Services
        Agility Fun Classes
        A seven-week course for dogs 5 months and older that have had basic training; introduction to agility; strengthens basic obedience skills. Dogs learn to take commands from afar, jump or weave through special equipment. At main campus, 615 Virginia SE.
        Behavior hotline
        A free service to all pet owners seeking information on pet issues, including destruction, escaping, barking, digging, chasing, separation anxiety, puppy/kitten development and many more. Call 505-938-7900.
        Train Humane
        Reward-focused techniques to reinforce good behavior and discourage inappropriate behavior, offered at three Animal Humane locations: main campus, 615 Virginia SE, 255-5523; and adoption centers at 9132 Montgomery NE, 323-7387, and 10700 Corrales Road NW, 890-7389.
        Puppy pre-school is for ages 8 weeks to 5 months; Civilized Canine for 6 months and older.
        For details and fees, call or visit animalhumanenm.org.

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