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Home of the Donofrio Family Animal Shelter
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It's Time to Teach Your Pup
a New Bag of Tricks!!!
January is National Train Your Dog Month. It's a time when trainers, dog owners, and canine experts come together to celebrate their love for their furry friends by sharing what they know. The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) created National Train Your Dog Month in 2010 to raise awareness about the importance of socialization and training. There are hundreds of dogs who are turned into animal shelters each year because their owners couldn't train them and found them difficult to live with. A celebration like this one can help train and save them.
Training a dog is not a luxury but imperative to its well-being and health. Also, training your dog provides you and your dog with a common language and teaches your dog how to navigate our world. It improves your bond, and builds trust and mutual respect too. In addition, it eliminates issues, such as barking, digging, chewing, jumping on guests and territorial marking. It can also enhance your dog's safety to make sure he or she responds to your calls to return when off leash. Your dog will enjoy more experiences joining you on walks in town, hikes, visiting local pet stores and going with you on trips to visit family and friends too.
To help train your dog, you can take a class, hire a trainer for private sessions at your house or train your dog yourself. Canine Company offers both online and in-person training classes that you can learn more about here. Also, for the past several months, Canine Company has been teaming up with ROAR to offer virtual dog training classes.
Five Tips for Training Your Dog
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Make training your dog part of your daily routine - Make a commitment to spend a little bit of time training each day. It could be something you do first thing in the morning, a quick session during your lunch break, or part of your pup's play time after work. As little as five minutes a day can make a big difference.
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Use positive reinforcement - Stick to a rewards-based training program. Start by figuring out what your dog's favorite reward is (i.e., treats, play time, praise, cuddles, or a combination of all of the above). Then you can use that reward every time your dog behaves the right way or takes an important step towards learning a new skill. With a consistent approach, your dog will soon start to get the hang of it.
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Teach your dog a new trick or two - You can also use your pup's regular training sessions to focus on teaching them a few tricks. For example, you can teach your playful pup how to bring your slippers, bark on demand, or even jump through a hoop. Trick training is great fun, offers excellent mental stimulation, and gives your dog a cool trick they can show off to your friends.
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Practice patience - Some dogs learn faster than others. Some dogs are a little headstrong and would rather do things their own way. Whatever the case may be, there might be times when things don't go as planned. But if your planning doesn't produce immediate results, don't get frustrated. Take a deep breath and try again, maybe with a slightly different approach. Your patience will eventually be rewarded.
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Keep training fresh and interesting - If you think your training sessions might be getting a little too predictable, you could try training the basics of a dog sport like agility or obedience, or try some fun nose work games for your pup. You can also incorporate training during walks or when you visit the dog park.
For additional tips and information on training your dog, visit the APDT's special website on National Train Your Dog Month here.
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Did You Know?
- Dogs are as intelligent as a two- or three-year-old child and can understand about 150-200 words, including signals and hand movements with the same meaning as words.
- Also, despite the myth, you can train an old dog new tricks. Older dogs can be easier to train than puppies since they possess longer attention spans.
- You can start training your puppy as early as seven-weeks old.
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The first modern dog training guide, "Training You to Train Your Dog," was published by Blanche Saunders in 1930.
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The earliest interest in organized dog training in the U.S. focused on sporting dogs. In the 1700s, George Washington maintained a kennel of foxhounds at Mt. Vernon and competitions involving pointers, setters, and hounds were popular.
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Ancient dog trainers can be traced back to 8000 B.C. when man first discovered farming. During this time, he also discovered how to train dogs to help with this.
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Please Support Our Mission to Save Lives
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Please donate today to our 2020-2021 Annual Appeal so that we can continue to deliver on our mission. Read our Appeal Letter to find out more!
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Come Meet MOO and Hannah ...
These amazing, sweethearts are ready to go
to their forever homes!
Moo was surrendered by his owner due to an unfortunate change in their living situation. While this sweet boy has enjoyed his time here at ROAR, he is more than ready to meet his new family!
Moo is a young, very cute, black-and-white tuxedo cat who will turn two years-old this spring. Since coming to us at the shelter, he has been an amazing, extremely loving, and fun cat! He is very easy going but also enjoys running around acting like a kitten, playing with wands and the laser pointer, and won't hesitate to jump on your lap for some love. According to his previous owner, he loves all attention, is talkative and loves belly rubs. Since being at the shelter, we've learned that Moo has a heart condition known as Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy. He will need daily medication and check-ups, but you wouldn't know it when you meet him. He is active, happy, and easy to fall in love with. Moo would do well in a home with dogs and kids. He would prefer to be in a home without other cats. Moo is neutered, micro-chipped and up-to-date on vaccinations.
***Please remember to keep your cats indoors, especially during this time of year, as predators are active preparing for the harsh weather ahead.***
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HANNAH
ROAR is looking for someone who is ready to be Hannah's hero! This sweet, four-year old Shepherd mix is still looking for her forever home. Hannah is considered to be a "special needs" dog since she is so fearful of the world around her. And there is a good reason for this. Hannah, unfortunately, had a rough start to her life. While she has been with us for a year, prior to this she was born in a backyard and lived outside for six months with her five siblings where they never received the warmth of human contact or interaction. Through the efforts of our rescue partner ARRF in Mississippi, her time here at ROAR, and now in a foster home, Hannah has made tremendous progress. She is learning that she can trust people and receive kindness and love in return. Hannah needs a home with a fenced in yard, a quiet environment and a dog companion. These are so important for her to feel safe, build confidence and continue making progress. Also, she needs someone who will be patient, gentle and let her set the pace and allow her the time she needs to adjust. She is crate trained, treat motivated (when comfortable in her environment), has learned "sit" and is working on leash walking. While she is currently on meds for anxiety, the hope is that given time to adjust to her new home, and with the comfort of visits from ROAR, she will eventually feel secure enough to no longer need meds. Time is a gift. Patience is a gift. Trust is a gift. And love is the biggest gift of all. Hannah's hero has all of that to give. The reward is Hannah's personality will shine through and you will receive her trust and love. If you would like to learn more about sweet Hannah please email [email protected] or call the shelter at 203-438-0158.
To help rescue more amazing animals like Moo and Hannah, please...
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Go ROAR Pups & Team Fluff!
Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!
ROAR is very excited and proud to announce that two dogs recently adopted from ROAR's shelter have made it to the big leagues. The Puppy Bowl XVII that is!
ROAR dogs Moo and Hanson, both all-stars on Team Fluff, will make their national debut on Super Bowl Sunday!
Born in May 2020, Moo and Hanson arrived at ROAR's shelter from South Carolina in late July 2020. They were adopted in August 2020.
Entertainment Weekly recently published a story on Puppy Bowl XVII which features all puppies who are participating in this year's event. You can access it here.
The Puppy Bowl XVII aims to provide cuddly canine comfort while raising awareness for pet adoption. This year's game - which, as always, features dogs scurrying around a mini-field, sorta playing football by carrying chew toys across goal lines - can be seen on Discovery+ and Animal Planet on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 7) at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m.
We hope that you will all cheer them on. Please stay tuned for more details soon!
PHOTO CREDITS: DISCOVERY+/ANIMAL PLANET/ELIAS WEISS FRIEDMAN
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Thank You to Our Adopters!!!
Thank you to all of our adopters who opened their hearts and homes and
recently made these lucky pups, dogs, kittens and cats a part of your packs!!!
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Patience is truly a virtue. As much love and compassion that we give our pets, many times we realize that what they return to us in different ways can't be measured. When "Party" Carl was brought to ROAR 10 years ago, he was a true feral dog. He hovered in the corner of his kennel for nearly a year at the shelter with very few able to approach him. He scooted out to do his business and came right back into his kennel.
After adopting Carl into their "safe," loving family and bringing him out of his shell, the family sadly lost their other dog, who was Carl's best friend. They came back to ROAR to meet Sassie (now Kali) and fell in love. In a world full of craziness, it's stories like this one that give us faith.
Thank you to the "J Family" for all of your kindness, patience and love that you have shown Carl (and now Kali too) over the years. They have truly found the perfect home. And, many thanks to our good friends at Blue Buffalo for helping to make Happy Tails like this one possible.
"I believe that some things in life are meant to be. When I think about how Carl became part of our family, I believe this with my whole heart. Carl had been lovingly cared for by the staff at ROAR for almost a year - more than half his life - when we first met him nine years ago. He was a fearful dog and when we would visit him at ROAR, he just circled us, never coming close enough for us to touch him or he would hide in the farthest corner.
It has not always been easy with Carl, but it has always been worth it. We are so proud of him and the progress he has made and continues to make every day. He has taught us to be patient. He taught us that earning trust and love takes time and commitment. He taught us to never give up. Especially over this last year, Carl has reminded us that you really do not need much to be happy.
Some people comment that Carl is not the same dog we adopted years ago, but he is the same dog. He is just a happier, more trusting, braver version of himself.
We recently returned to ROAR and are so happy to welcome Kali (formerly Sassie) to our family. No matter how much we have given to Carl, and now Kali, the unconditional love our family has received in return is so much more.
Thank you to everyone at ROAR who never gave up on Carl or any of the other dogs and cats that need a forever home. We are so grateful.
Love, The J. Family"
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Animal Rescue ROAR-Ridgefield
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ROAR to Feature Lost & Found Pets on Weekly Show on Comcast, Channel 23
To help try to make it easier to reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners, ROAR will be introducing a great new segment on lost and found pets during our weekly show "Animal Rescue ROAR-Ridgefield."
Our weekly show "Animal Rescue ROAR-Ridgefield" airs live on Facebook at Channel 23 Danbury here typically on Wednesday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. It also airs on TV for those who subscribe to Comcast on Channel 23 on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.
If you have a lost or found dog or cat that you would like us to feature, please email us at [email protected]. ROAR will send you a form that you can fill out and submit. Please make sure you include a photo of your lost or found pet too along with your completed form.
If you watch our weekly "Animal Rescue ROAR-Ridgefield" show on Facebook, please like or share it with others so we can spread the word about the work ROAR does.
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Why Do You Do What You Do?
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" There is one simple reason why I support (and ADORE) ROAR and that reason is the animals! Every single dog that I have had the chance to work with at the shelter has impacted my heart and has taught me something about life.
ROAR is a magical place. Every time I walk in it feels like I am coming home, it is a peaceful feeling. The joy and happiness that the animals give is a feeling that is unlike any others. I used to think that I was going there to help the dogs but I have learned it is the dogs that are helping me.
ROAR truly cares for their animals too. It is more than just finding them a home, it's about finding them the RIGHT home.
I am so proud to be a part of the ROAR community and even luckier to have the chance to meet the animals and help them along their life path."
-Megan H., Volunteer & Dog Therapy Team
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ROAR-Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue was recently selected by local Stop & Shop Ridgefield store leadership as a benefiting non-profit in the Community Bag Program!
For the month of February 2021, ROAR will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Stop & Shop store located at 125 Danbury Road, Ridgefield CT. The donation will automatically go to ROAR.
If you purchase reusable "Give Back" bags from any Stop & Shop store in Connecticut during other months, you can register the tag found on the bag online to direct the $1 donation to ROAR.
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