One Step at a time

NicoJoiner

Dealing with challenging dogs in a shelter environment

One Step at a time

What is Stepping Stones?

Principles behind Stepping Stones?

Case Studies

Dealing with challenging dogs in a shelter environment

What is Stepping Stones?

Sanctuary

(Special Training and Rehoming)

STaR

STaR• 10 kennels• Large sleep areas• Large compounds attached

with full access day/night• Mixture of astro turf, sand and

grass runs

STaR• 10 kennels• Large sleep areas• Large compounds attached

with full access day/night• Mixture of astro turf, sand and

grass runs

STaR• Wide range of behavioural

problems• Difficult to manage in the

environment they are in• Need extra support to help

them become more successful in a new home

STaR• Wide range of behavioural

problems• Difficult to manage in the

environment they are in• Need extra support to help

them become more successful in a new home

STaR• Wide range of behavioural

problems• Difficult to manage in the

environment they are in• Need extra support to help

them become more successful in a new home

STaR• Wide range of behavioural

problems• Difficult to manage in the

environment they are in• Need extra support to help

them become more successful in a new home

Sanctuary

• 3 Large paddocks• Each with 2 sleeping areas

attached• Neutral Introduction Pen

Sanctuary

• 3 Large paddocks• Each with 2 sleeping areas

attached• Neutral Introduction Pen

Sanctuary

• Most commonly;Veterinary handling / Close handling from any individualPeople/Barrier aggressionSome stereotypy behaviour

Sanctuary

• Most commonly;Veterinary handling / Close handling from any individualPeople/Barrier aggressionSome stereotypy behaviour

Sanctuary

• Most commonly;Veterinary handling / Close handling from any individualPeople/Barrier aggressionSome stereotypy behaviour

Sanctuary

• Most commonly;Veterinary handling / Close handling from any individualPeople/Barrier aggressionSome stereotypy behaviour

Sanctuary

STaR

• Flexibility between the blocks

The Principles of Stepping Stones

The Principles of Stepping Stones

Managed Freedom enhances good choices

Promoting good choices will Enhance good welfare

The Principles of Stepping Stones

Managed Freedom enhances good choices

Making good choices enhances a dog’s welfare

The Importance of choice

Having the freedom of choice has proven to; • Enhance learning• Enhance an individuals experience• Better an individuals welfare

The Importance of choice

Having the freedom of choice has proven to; • Enhance learning• Enhance an individuals experience• Better an individuals welfare

The Importance of choice

Having the freedom of choice has proven to; • Enhance learning• Enhance an individuals experience• Better an individuals welfare

The Importance of choice

Having the freedom of choice has proven to;• Enhance learning• Enhance an individuals experience• Better an individuals welfare

The Importance of choice

Having the freedom of choice has proven to;• Enhance learning• Enhance an individuals experience• Better an individuals welfare

You are living

proof of that

Experience

Outcome

Choice

Experience

Outcome

Choice

Cycle of Life

Lessons

The Importance of choice

Case Studies

Blue = Experience

Orange = Choice made

Case Studies

Grey = Outcome

Case StudiesWallace

Multiple bite incidents around resources and has been subject to “alpha rolling”, pinning and smacking if he

stole an item or growled at owners

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objects

Enjoyed playing tug

with owners

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objectsEnjoyed playing tug

with owners

Chose to initiate game

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objectsEnjoyed playing tug

with owners Chose to initiate game

Successful

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objectsEnjoyed playing tug

with owners Chose to initiate game

Successful

WasRehomed

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objectsEnjoyed playing tug

with owners Chose to initiate game

Successful

Chose to initiate games

WasRehomed

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objectsEnjoyed playing tug

with owners Chose to initiate game

SuccessfulChose to initiate games

Not always very

successful

WasRehomed

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objectsEnjoyed playing tug

with owners Chose to initiate game

SuccessfulChose to initiate gamesNot always very successful

Tried to initiate interaction with other

items

WasRehomed

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objectsEnjoyed playing tug

with owners Chose to initiate game

SuccessfulChose to initiate gamesNot always very successful

Tried to initiate interaction with other

items

Wallace was punished /

“alpha rolled”

WasRehomed

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objectsEnjoyed playing tug

with owners Chose to initiate game

SuccessfulChose to initiate gamesNot always very successful

Tried to initiate interaction with other

items

Wallace was punished / “alpha rolled” for doing

so

Snarling and growling

when owners approach

WasRehomed

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objectsEnjoyed playing tug

with owners Chose to initiate game

SuccessfulChose to initiate gamesNot always very successful

Tried to initiate interaction with other

items

Wallace was punished / “alpha rolled” for doing

so

Snarling and growling when owners approach

Further physical

punishment

WasRehomed

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objectsEnjoyed playing tug

with owners Chose to initiate game

SuccessfulChose to initiate gamesNot always very successful

Tried to initiate interaction with other

items

Wallace was punished / “alpha rolled” for doing

so

Snarling and growling when owners approach

Further physical punishment

Bite incidents

WasRehomed

Resource Guarding Around Toys and other

objectsEnjoyed playing tug

with owners Chose to initiate game

SuccessfulChose to initiate gamesNot always very successful

Tried to initiate interaction with other

items

Wallace was punished / “alpha rolled” for doing

so

Snarling and growling when owners approach

Further physical punishmentBite incidents

Came in to Sanctuary

WasRehomed

Case StudiesWallace

How we managed Wallace• Fed in separate room for first

few weeks• Had a small lead attached to

collar to reduce handling• Avoided Wallace having access

to items we knew he may guard

Case StudiesWallace

Case StudiesRose

Strong chase/herding instinctReactive on lead around dogs and people, potential for bite

incident

Case StudiesRose

Rose sees a dog

when she is on the

lead

Case StudiesRose

Fixed Stare

Rose sees a dog

when she is on the

lead

Case StudiesRose

Fixed Stare

Rose sees a dog

when she is on the

lead

Lead goes tense

Case StudiesRose

Fixed Stare

Rose sees a dog

when she is on the

lead

Lead goes tense

Lunge / Bark

Case StudiesRose

Fixed Stare

Rose sees a dog

when she is on the

lead

Lead goes tense

Lunge / Bark

Dog goes away

Case StudiesRose

Stepping Stones

What it means to me

Stepping Stones

What it means to me

• Fundamental to Dogs Trust non-destruction policy

• Demonstration of responsibility

• Proof that with more choices available we can help more dogs

Stepping Stones

What it means to me

• Fundamental to Dogs Trust non-destruction policy

• Demonstration of responsibility

• Proof that with more choices available we can help more dogs

Stepping Stones

What it means to me

• Fundamental to Dogs Trust non-destruction policy

• Demonstration of responsibility

• Proof that with more choices available we can help more dogs

NicoJoiner

Thank You For Listening