Scout is on her way to becoming the best dog she can be – a journey remarkable for its rough start.
The two-year-old Doberman/Shepherd hybrid, 45 lb., spent his early years on a leash in an 8-foot x 10-foot kennel. Rescued by an organization in the United States, he is one of 200 dogs and cats transported from the US to the Ontario SPCA Lennox & Addton Animal Center in 2021 to find a loving home.
Many shelters in the US are already at full capacity, meaning they don’t have room to house any more animals that show up on their doorstep. While the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society are focused on helping animals in Ontario, when we received requests for assistance, we stepped up our help to make space for shelters south of the border. gender. We are the last hope for these animals.
Scout’s experience of being chained and isolated means he doesn’t know how to get along with other dogs. He was not taught basic manners. He is an energetic person and will be pushy, aggressive and agile with other dogs. He liked people, wanted their approval, and liked to jump on top of them, but he wasn’t sure what was expected of him. As for cats, Scout is pretty sure they’re meant to be chased.
Rescued dogs, like Scouts, often need a little more training, patience, and TLC to reach their full potential. A big commitment to an animal center is to give individual attention and training to dogs like Scout while caring for other animals awaiting adoption.
Now, imagine a place where dogs who have experienced mental and emotional challenges can go to behavioral support and rehabilitation. That site is the Ontario SPA Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Center, currently under construction and expected to open in late 2022. The center will be one of the first of its kind in Canada, and is one of the few in North America, to be purpose-built with the special needs of challenged dogs in mind. It will fill an important and significant gap in current services by addressing the individual needs of the most difficult dogs to keep.
The Center is a partnership between the Ontario SPCA and the Humane Society and Peterborough Humane Society and will include a number of unique features:
- A real family living room where the dogs can practice indoors; For many dogs, this may be their first chance to experience being in a home environment.
- Flexible training rooms that can be tailored to help overcome situational issues such as conserving resources or fear of certain noises
- Staff professionals are trained in canine behavior who can put the latest evidence-based canine behavior research into practice.
The center will provide extra support for dogs like Scout in need of physical and mental rehabilitation. It will give them a second chance to find their permanent home.
Scout’s adopters describe him as a good dog. “He has a good heart,” said his adopter. They continued to study his jumping habits and some other behaviors. Trips to the dog park have helped with Scout’s tendency to play with pride and his interactions with other dogs. Scout and the cat family aren’t best friends yet, but they’re learning to coexist.
“I am looking forward to bringing Scout to the family cottage this summer and see how he does in the lake,” his adopter said. With perseverance, patience, and love, Scout is overcoming her challenges.
You can help change the lives of dogs like Scout. Please consider making a donation today arrive help bring the Provincial Canine Rehabilitation Center to the finish line. Visit ontariospca.ca/dogrehab to find more about.
