As soon as the Austin Pets Alive! Canine Good Citizen-Ready Program was created, it immediately became a crucial aspect of APA!'s solutions for the "last piece of no-kill"; Austin's large, high-energy dogs. In the first two years of the program, the Length of Stay for large adult dogs dropped by 80%, and the Return Rate fell by almost 20%. Through personalized training, marketing, and post-adoption support, dogs who would otherwise be some of the hardest to adopt — or even euthanized in other cities — have now become adoptable, highly trained pets through this ground-breaking program.
Austin Pets Alive! is now hosting four-day apprenticeship opportunities that will teach you how to create a CGC-Ready Program at your very own shelter/rescue group. As space permits, these apprenticeships are also open to private dog-enthusiasts who are interested in bolstering their skill-sets. Over the course of the four days, apprentices will be taught every aspect of what makes our CGC-Ready Program so successful, including:
Our comprehensive approach to dog training that has been refined to reach all dogs and save more lives
Specific training and behavior modification protocols for common behavior challenges
CGC test components and how to train your dogs to pass the test
How to select which dogs are candidates
Volunteer utilization and team building in order to grow the program and reach more dogs
Marketing strategies for dogs in the program
Data-tracking to measure the outcomes of the program
Post-Adoption training support guidelines
Lessons learned and troubleshooting tips
2018 Update:
This learning opportunity is now a part of the Maddie's Lifesaving Academy at Austin Pets Alive!. Read more about the Maddie's CGC-Ready Apprenticeship and apply to participate here.
