COCHRANE— Helping ensure COVID-19 puppies receive safe socialization, the Cochrane Humane Society has launched a doggy hangout session each Sunday.
The shelter has had an incredible year of animals finding their forever homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, said communications coordinator Lisa Kedian, but there is some concern the animals will not experience proper socialization due to public health measures.
She added one of the biggest worries at the Cochrane and Area Humane Society is they may see some of the dogs that have been adopted returned to the shelter because of COVID-related behavioural issues.
“We’re trying to do what we can to help mitigate that,” Kedian said. “Their mental health is important.”
People in the community are feeling the effects of COVID-19 fatigue and the inability to socialize normally with family and friends, Kedian said, and dogs have the same feeling.
When most people get a new furry family member, they are signing up for behaviour consultations, puppy classes, socialization playgroups and other programs within the first six months— But, most of these training programs were cancelled due to COVID-19 public health measures.
The shelter recently received written permission from the province to reopen its in-person group training classes. Public health measures will be in place including mandatory masks, sanitizing and social distancing. Classes began on Wednesday (Feb. 24).
“The puppies aren’t socializing. They’re not learning from other dogs. They’re not learning about different environments,” Kedian said. “Basically, all they know are their own family members.”
The limited exposure to different people, places and experiences are detrimental to their growth, Kedian said, explaining that the first six months for a dog is the prime time to learn about different situations and how to react.
“We had to figure out something to help the community with this issue,” Kedian said. “We are concerned, we are worried about the outcome of what is going to happen to these puppies when they’re older if they’re not socialized properly."
Rising to the occasion the Cochrane and Area Humane Society behaviour team has created new COVID-safe classes, and private and semi-private consultations to help dogs receive socialization and training during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 Smart Socialization for Your Puppy is one of the shelter's recently launched classes. The temporary program takes place on Sundays and owners can drop off their puppy at the shelter’s Rehabilitation and Education Centre for a 45-minute session. During the class, puppies spend time with certified dog trainers and gain positive exposure to different sounds, surfaces and obstacles, while learning calm handling techniques.
“We know how important positive social experiences are for puppies to make sure that they develop into good canine citizens in the future,” Kedian said. “The puppies socialize together so they gain confidence and social skills from being around other dogs."
A bonus of the puppy classes are they also offer a healthy break from their owners, Kedian said. She explained the majority of puppies have only spent time with their families during the pandemic, which can lead to co-dependant behaviour. Because of this, it will be jarring for puppies when life returns to normal and dogs exposed to all kinds of different people, places and separation from their family will likely fair better.
“That can be very, very scary for a dog and that’s when you start seeing those behaviours— Dogs become reactive to different things or they start exhibiting a lot of fear and that leads to so many behaviour issues if they’re not looked after right away,” Kedian said. “The more you can do for your puppies right now is definitely suggested and recommended.”
Private consultation is also available for puppies through the Private Puppy Training, Manner and Common Behaviour Challenges During COVID-19 program. The class includes four one-hour sessions and is designed to fit into people’s different schedules.
Families can sign up for training that focusses on teaching dogs basic puppy manners ranging from house training to proper greetings and everything in between.
The class also proactively addresses preventing separation anxiety for pets.
“Once we do return to normal and people are starting to get back to work our dogs are not really prepared for that,” Kedian said. “They’re so used to having us around so that’s another thing we want to make sure people are getting ready for.”
The Cochrane and Area Human Society puppy programs are open to all canines in town. The Private Puppy Training is $300 for four one-hour sessions. If the puppy is from the non-profit the cost of the course is $275.
Visit the Cochrane and Area Human Society website for more details on available programs.
