In early May, a Lancaster, California, puppy mill was exposed by undercover TV investigator, David Goldstein. When Animal Control moved in to remove hundreds of dogs,[8] a number of local shelters agreed to take some of the rescued animals, including the Glendale Humane Society (GHS), a private, “no kill” facility. [9] When a GHS volunteer went to pick up five Yorkshire Terrier rescues, they were so cute, she came back with six! (http://www.glendalehumane.org) The Yorkies, ranging in age from 4–7 years old, had been bred nonstop their entire lives.
Jelly Belly, Taffy and Gummy Bear: Rescued Breeding Dogs
Do the Math
Every time people buy puppy mill dogs from pet shops or through ads on the Internet or in newspapers, they inadvertently contribute to canine misery and to the puppy mill coffers. Most of these sellers insist that their puppies were raised in bucolic family settings, but authorities estimate that at least 90 percent come from mills.
Anyone who adopts from a shelter becomes the hero in the joyful salvation of a deserving dog. Wayne Pacelle, President of the HSUS notes that, "… we have 10,000 puppy mills churning out two to four million dogs a year, [while we] have three to four million euthanized in shelters … and most are healthy animals who would make great companions."[10]
When we factor in the greater incidence of degenerative conditions resulting from inbreeding—causing numerous health challenges, ranging from hip dysplasia to eye diseases—it all adds up to shelters and rescue organizations being the best places to find a furry friend. And the HSUS estimates that 25 percent of shelter dogs are purebreds. [11] (For more info see the ASPCA’s Policies and Positions on Responsible Breeding. [12])
The GHS shelter gave the rescued Yorkies their first chance for a happy life. Alyce Russell, Director of the GHS, says that all their rescued dogs—whether from puppy mills or not—go through the same intake process to prepare for adoption: they are quarantined for two weeks to make sure they are not contagious, then it’s off to the vet for spaying/neutering, and dental and medical attention. And the rescued dogs receive names, often for the first time in their lives. Russell said the Yorkies were so sweet, they were named Jelly Belly, Taffy, Peppermint Patty, Lollipop, Sugar Baby and Gummy Bear. Then they were ready for their training.
Nonviolence Unleashed
I interviewed the Director of Behavior Programs at the GHS, Paul Owens. He is the author of The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training and The Puppy Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Guide to Early Training and Care, and is the featured trainer on two DVDs. (www.DogWhispererDVD.com).
The Christian Science Monitor calls Owens, “A cheerful bear of a man with a sunny, Zen-like attitude, [who has] specialized in ‘compassionate, nonviolent’ dog training [for decades] … He relies on treats, play, and affection as rewards, and never so much as raises his voice.”
Owens explained that under his direction, GHS head trainer Jenina Schutter evaluates every furry guest of the GHS, like the Yorkies. Then she designs a specific socialization and behavior modification program for each, which other trainers implement. Owens notes that the very first concerns are always for the dogs’ safety and health. Then the trainers and volunteers work on developing trust through nonviolent, force-free training methods, while teaching basic canine etiquette and addressing any problem behaviors.
Photo: Photography as an Art, Burbank, CA
As a yogi, Owens has studied, practiced, and taught meditation for the last 30 years, in both the U.S. and in India. He employed standard dog training methods for nearly 15 years before his “nonviolent light bulb” went off in 1989.
Put Your Best Paw Forward
Owens told me that since then, he has rejected training methods that use pain, fear, or intimidation. Owens’ philosophy of training utilizes his five-pronged holistic approach for the “happiest, healthiest relationship, possible”: 1) prevention, 2) management, 3) fun, 4) safety, and 5) positive reinforcement through reward-based training.
