Behavioral Training to Serve Pets - Heartland SPCA

Jan. 13, 2012

MERRIAM, KAN. ? Heartland SPCA welcomes Skip Daiger as its new Manager of Behavior and Training. Daiger will add tremendous value to the community and Heartland SPCA?s life-saving mission through public classes, staff and volunteer training, enrichment programs for shelter residents, and behavioral support to adopted dogs and their new pet parents.

?It can be said that the leading (indirect) cause of death in dogs is due to unresolved behavioral issues,? Manger of Behavior and Training Skip Daiger said. ?My desire is to teach with positive methods that are fun for both human and dog.?

Daiger completed his BA at the University of Maryland and graduate work at Pennsylvania State University. He has attended a full range of educational conferences and professional seminars in pursuit of his love of ethology and canine behavior. Daiger is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. He also serves as a professional mentor trainer for the Animal Behavior College and is a founding member of the Heartland Positive Training Alliance here in Kansas City.

?The Heartland Positive Training Alliance represents a philosophical niche, specializing in positive reward training,? Daiger said. ?From reading programs and play groups to perfumes and play toys, my approach will emphasize positive training programs.?

More than 500 active volunteers and hands-on staff interact with Heartland SPCA?s adoptable and public pets each year. Daiger?s techniques will train both volunteers and front-line staff with tools and knowledge to work with homeless pets and answer questions from the public.

?We will save lives by providing resources to those interacting with pets,? Daiger says.? ?Adoptable pets will now be directed in a manner that provides simple doggy life skills like basic commands and leash walking. Owners looking to relinquish a pet will be provided resources for common behavioral issues, and new adopters will be provided a firm basis for forging a long-lasting happy relationship with their pets.?

Heartland SPCA introduces both shelter and public pet programs this month. Shelter pets will receive an assessment of needs, along with a plan to increase their quality of life. Public training classes will feature puppy training to intermediate dog skills, including six classes spanned over a six-week session.

?People need to know how to understand dogs,? Daiger said. ?We?ll show pet companions how to emotionally ?dance with their dogs? and bring enhanced programming to homeless pets awaiting forever homes.?

To learn about Heartland SPCA?s Manager of Behavior and Training and enrollment in newly-formed classes, contact Manager of Behavior and Training Skip Daiger at (913) 742-7308 or sdaiger@heartlandspca.org.

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Heartland SPCA is a recent merger of Animal Haven and No More Homeless Pets KC. As the Greater Kansas City area?s most comprehensive resource for pets and their human companions, Heartland SPCA serves more than 18,000 pets each year. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Heartland SPCA works to save, protect and improve the lives of animals, while strengthening the relationship between pets and their human companions providing humane sheltering, adoptions,? and affordable spay/neuter and veterinary wellness services.

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Source: http://www.heartlandspca.org/2012/behavioral-training-to-serve-pets/

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