Norfolk puppy program hopes to reduce failed-adoption rate

Each of the seven little potbellied students eagerly awaits his turn to show off newly acquired skills.

They are anxious to please their instructor.

Of course, the treats also are a big incentive.

Named after the locations of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the 12-week-old puppies already are in their eighth week of training.

That's unusual - especially for shelter pups. But that's the whole idea behind this pilot training program at the Norfolk Animal Care Center.

Dubbed "PupStart," the program's goal is to avert future behavioral problems.

"We hope that by socializing the puppies, they won't end up being brought back to the shelter in the future," said Jake Roos, kennel supervisor and architect of the new program.

Of the 6,000 animals the center took in last year, 1,400 were adopted and 3,700 were euthanized. Many could not be adopted because of behavioral problems.

Roos, 34, who has worked at the center since 2007, came up with the idea of PupStart while attending a six-week dog trainer academy in California last spring.

"When it comes down to it, dogs live in a people world and in the people world there are damages to pay if your dog hurts somebody," Roos said. "The bottom line is no damage to any human, whatever the situation."

One of PupStart's tactics is to introduce the puppies to 100 different people - of diverse ages, gender and races - in their first 12 weeks of life. To this end, the kennel is recruiting volunteers to spend time with the young canines.

During the visits, which last about 20 minutes, volunteers engage the puppies in simple obedience, patience and handling exercises.

Christine Exley, 21, who has volunteered at the NACC since she was a teen, said working with the puppies is so much fun that it doesn't seem like work.

"They are a bundle of love... and have such distinct personalities," said Exley, a senior at the University of Mary Washington.

Roos teaches the volunteers training techniques, such as using a clicking device to "mark" positive behavior.

He demonstrated with Zeus, one of the more focused puppies in the litter. Roos walked around him while the pup remained seated.

The effort it took for the little dog to remain still was evident; boundless energy is difficult to harness.

"Click." Zeus got his treat.

Roos and the volunteers work with each dog individually and occasionally in small groups.

Volunteers with well-socialized dogs and cats also are encouraged to bring their pets during special visiting times in an effort to enhance the puppies' play skills.

The program also introduces puppies to common environmental sounds such as vacuum cleaners, hair clippers, crying babies, traffic, sirens and thunderstorms, by playing a CD of such noises at night.

The puppies are taught to appreciate "alone" time in short-term confinement areas, to use soft mouth pressure on human skin, to respond to hand signals and verbal commands, to walk properly on a leash and to be as close to housebroken as possible.

Roos said the goal is to eventually put every puppy brought to the shelter through the PupStart program.

The "seven wonders," believed to be Labrador-pit bull mixes, will be released for adoption in March. Five are still available and the shelter is taking reservations. Roos plans to complete a DNA test to confirm their breeding.

Adoption fees for PupStart graduates will be $150, twice the regular fee, but Roos said it's still a bargain.

"Puppy socialization is very, very important," Roos said. "New owners will have to continue working with these puppies once they are adopted, but they will already be well-socialized and that's a big advantage."

Lia Russell, 222-5829, lia.russell@pilotonline.com