Training for PAWS Foster Pups

Mar 09, 2021

PAWS Chicago’s expert training staff works hard to set each dog up for success in a home environment. When those dogs go from our Medical Center and Adoption Center into foster homes, the work doesn’t stop. 

Foster homes provide a comfortable environment for shelter dogs to unwind and understand the love of a home. During this time, PAWS Chicago Trainers, Sharon Cierniak and Marta Adamek, continue their work to provide individualized behavioral care and support fosters with one-on-one counseling and training – from guiding fearful dogs to be more confident, to easing reactive dogs’ stressors. Joan Harris, the Director of Canine Training and Behavior and Marta and Sharon’s fellow trainer, said, “Our goal is to keep working with our animals while they are in foster. This can lead to more adoptions, and simply help set the dog for success in the home environment.” 

Both dogs and humans benefit from training in a home environment: 

• Dogs who recently arrived in a foster or adoptive home can be stressed by new environments and feel safer in their own home. 
• Most problems that need to be worked on occur in the home, so why not train there? 
• Dogs with fear or reactivity are overly stressed and cannot focus when surrounded with the distractions of in-person training classes. In-person classes are better as a second level for these dogs after the dog learns a solid foundation. 
• The whole family can be involved, even children! 

The PAWS Chicago Training Center offers more than 10 virtual training classes! Looking to get started on training or brush up on old tricks? Visit our Training Center.