COMPASSIONATE DOG HANDLING COURSE IN MY HOME TOWN – BOZEMAN MT, OCT 15-16, 2011.

Bridge Mountains, Bozeman MT

I am excited to announce that we have recently scheduled a non-chemical capture and handling course here in my home town of Bozeman, MT near Yellowstone Park.  The course will be Oct. 15-16, 2011 at the Western Heritage Inn in Bozeman.

My apologies for this late notice but it became a relatively informal gathering of people who expressed a serious interest in our training courses.  Now other people & organizations have decided to join us as well.

The Y Pole - an essential tool for shelters

This is a dog non-chemical capture and handling course that is essential training for animal control officers, shelter staff, disaster responders, rescue workers responding to hoarding cases/puppy mills, spay/neuter programs, and those rescuing dogs in general.  “Compassionate Dog Handling” is not taught anywhere else in the world. Throughout the course we explore how to work in a calm manner and without fighting the dog.  Register through our GWR website.

Dog Non-Chemical Capture and Handling Workshop

Learning How to Not Fight the Animal

Humane Physical Restraint, Leash Work And Leash Muzzle Wrap

Netting, Proper Technique with Catch Poles

The Y Pole – an Essential Tool for Shelters

Boxtraps and Capture Pens – Bringing the Dogs To Us

Catching Dogs in Large Enclosures

GWR courses promote care, honor, and respect

  for each animal that is handled;

and are often profound experiences for course participants.

The course includes a course notebook and Certificate of Training.  No live dogs are used in this course.  The course is vibrant with videos, slides, visual aids, and lively discussion. The class is limited to 40 people, so register early! The 2-day course fee is $375. Places in the course are reserved once payment is received.  Class begins at 9am each morning.

 Register On-line through our GWR website!

or

Print registration from website course listing and mail to:

Global Wildlife Resources, Inc.

P.O. Box 10248, Bozeman MT 59719-0248

 Special Lodging Offer

Western Heritage Inn will provide a reduced room rate for attending the course.

Simply mention the humane dog handling course when you register.

For more information and registration form

visit our website Course Schedule.

Free Training Library

Dear friends and colleagues,

I am excited to announce that we have added a FREE Training Library to our website.  This is a great opportunity for us to give you my training materials to prepare and train for disaster response, animal control, handling fearful dogs in animal shelters, and trap/neuter/release (Animal Birth Control) programs.

WE WILL BE ADDING MUCH MORE FREE CONTENT.  VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SIGN UP.

I have added a PAGE to this blog so you can comment and let us know what we should add to the library.

Please share this with Twitter and Facebook and tell one friend in ANOTHER COUNTRY!

Question to US readers: Where is there a need for training?

Dear friends and colleagues,

I will be scheduling more live courses in the U.S. such as the two courses I am teaching in Sacramento in October..   I was wondering if any of you have a feel for where the most training is needed.

Which urban areas have the most problems with free-ranging dogs?

What areas have a demand for training with disaster response animal rescue?

What states have a demand for ACO training?

I welcome your suggestions and feedback!

Thanks,   Dr. Mark

New Wildlife Photos Added to ABOUT DR. MARK Page

Dear friends,

Just wanted to let you know that I have added some nice photos of my wildlife handling experience and updated my BIO.  Visit my ABOUT PAGE.

Enjoy!  Dr. Mark

Two Dog Capture & Handling Courses in Sacramento, CA in October 2011!

I am excited to announce that I will be teaching 2 dog capture & handling courses in Sacramento California in October, 2011.  One course is designed for animal control officers (ACOs) and one course is specifically designed for non-ACOs: anyone handling fearful and dangerous dogs such as shelter staff, disaster responders, dog rescue groups, and spay/neuter programs.  Both courses will be at the Sacramento County Animal Shelter.

Here is a course announcement to share with others (pdf).

Drugging Feral Dogs in Capture Pen

The first course I am teaching is Oct. 4-6, 2011 (Tues-Thurs) for ACOs.  It is the most extensive course covering chemical capture in North America so you will be confident with drug delivery (darting) and chemical immobilization.  We also cover non-chemical capture such at boxtrapping and netting, new tools such as the Y pole, and of course a compassionate approach in which we are not fighting the dog.  The 3-day course fee is $475.  Here is an outline of the ACO course content.

My second course is October 8-9, 2011 (Sat-Sun) for non-ACOs.  Until now, there has been no training on non-chemical capture for volunteers, shelter staff, and disaster responders working with fearful dogs.  I have created this course specifically to meet that need.

Practicing Netting, Hobbling, and Headcover

In this class we will cover catching dogs with a leash and applying a humane leash muzzle wrap, physical restraint (without fighting the dog), working with Y poles, catching with boxtraps, and how to catch entire packs of dogs.  This unique course focuses on how to catch dogs in a calm, humane, compassionate, and safe manner. We explore the potential conflict between people and fearful dogs and discuss how to minimize the conflict even when the dog refuses to cooperate. We also discuss how to work with large dogs and dangerous dogs.  The 2-day course fee is $375.  Here is an outine of the non-ACO course content.

No live dogs will be used.  But there will be abundant teaching aids, videos, and dynamic instruction.  We will also end our two days with an open forum to specifically address your questions and challenges.  Every course participant will receive a course notebook, and Certificate of Training. 

Class size is limited so register early!  A place will be reserved for you once payment is made.  Visit our website Training Schedule to register on-line or by mail or to get more information.

For a preview of my instruction, visit our YouTube Channel: GWRFeralDogs.  I hope to see you in Sacramento.  Dr. Mark

Watch New YouTube Videos on Compassionate Physical Restraint

Dear friends and colleagues,

I have just posted three new YouTube Videos on compassionate dog physical restraint.  Visit our YouTube Channel: GWRFeralDog.

All dog handlers should be comfortable and confident with physical restraint of fearful dogs, although handlers must learn the size and attitude of dogs they can safely handle.  Skilled physical restraint strengthens the dog handler’s ability to work with all aspects of dog handling, because it strengthens their confidence and skills in general.  It also allows the handler to attempt softer and quieter techniques if the dog appears willing or receptive.

Compassionate Dog Capture in Malasia

My colleague, Adrian, coordinates humane dog capture and handling in Malaysia and has sent me a great YouTube Video catching a dog with the scruff technique.

This is an excellent example of compassionate dog capture and handling!  Even though the handler is “determined” to catch to dog, he stays relaxed, blends with the dog, and takes advantage of the pup’s playful (and hungry) nature.

I have two suggestions to improve things.

A SUCCESSFUL COURSE IN PALAU

Koror State Animal Shelter

I have just returned from teaching a very successful compassionate dog handling course in Palau.  I am very grateful to the  Koror State animal control officers and shelter staff who attended the training with an openness and willingness to learn new and soft approaches.  And thank you to Palau Animal Welfare Society who invited me and to the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) who generously provided funding.

The Republic of Palau is a island nation in the Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines and south of Japan.  Koror is the only state in Palau with an animal shelter, animal control officers, and state animal welfare legislation requiring licensing of dogs.

Dr. Mark’s View of the Master Dog Handling Classes in India

Banner for Master Dog Handling Courses

What an incredible experience teaching three 5-day courses to dog handlers from all across India and to receive support for these classes from the Animal Welfare Board of India, Vets Beyond Borders, Jeevashram, the Municipal Corporation of Gurgoan, and the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.  I am honored to be a part of this and I believe this government supported program will have excellent influence on the culture of dog handling in India.

For Phase 1, I taught about 50 students over the three courses.  These “train-the-trainer” courses included classroom time with PowerPoint and Video, afternoon hands-on labs,  sunrise

Dr. Mark teaching netting techniques

captures, and student presentations to strengthen their ability to teach.  All of the dogs gathered for this course were sterilized by Jeevashram veterinarians, vaccinated, and returned to where they were captured.  The course was held at Jeevashram in Village Rajokri near Delhi and I am extremely grateful to Dr. Sharma and his colleagues and staff for working so hard in hosting the course.

Wildlife Chemical Immobilization Course in Colorado, May 3-5, 2011

HLR view from the firepit

I am excited to announce that I will be teaching an extensive wildlife chemical immobilization course at the beautiful High Lonesome Ranch near DeBeque, Colorado.  This is a beautiful guest ranch with their own private chef, yet they have reduced the lodging to government rates.

Of course this is one of the most extensive wildlife chemical immobilization courses in North America and includes hands-on labs each day with chemical immobilization of animals on day 3.  This unique field-oriented training emphasizes professional and humane animal handling with practical methods and techniques to maximize field success and human & animal safety.  This course has been invaluable for state, federal, and tribal wildlife professionals, animal control officers, zoo caretakers, and students.

GWR courses promote care, honor, and respect for each animal that is handled;  and are often profound career experiences for course participants.

The course is limited to 24 participants so register early! The class includes lunch, labs each day (including a drugging lab), course notebook, a thumb drive with course content, and Certificate of Training. The 3-day course fee is $550 ($575 after April 15). Places are reserved once payment is received.  See HLR 2011 Course Announcement.   Visit Course Schedule on our website to register.

HLR Buffet Dinner set up

Excellent food and lodging is available at the High Lonesome Ranch.  Cost of food & lodging is $187/Single per day and $137/Shared per day (which is state per diem rate). Nearest lodging off-site is about 25 miles away. Visit  their website to see this beautiful place at www.thehighlonesomeranch.com.

For lodging arrangements call HLR at: 970.283.5132.