Special Projects

Partnering with HMYOI Werrington and Rachel Trafford of Love Walkies, The Restart Dog Project will rehabilitate both dogs and young people simultaneously in the Staffordshire area.
 

The project aims to teach the young people the skills to rehabilitate the dogs who are at risk of being euthanised, or who are in very vulnerable positions due to a lack of basic training that is required, so that the dogs can function in a human world. The boys will be setting the dogs up for success by shaping their behaviour in a proactive and positive manner, training the dogs alternative behaviours and reinforcing the desired behaviours that the dogs perform. The dogs will be on the programme for around 8-12 weeks, or however long it takes for them to be ready to go on to their forever homes. They will be guided by the young people for 6 hours of training and enrichment every day, going back to basics and learning things like frustration tolerance, impulse control, loose lead walking, settling on a bed, recall, manners around food and calm greetings.
 

When the dogs are ready for their new homes, the young people will help to write their homing criteria using all of the knowledge they have acquired about their partnered dogs. Through the bonds that they have developed, the dogs will now have the skills to become welcome members of a new family and the young people will be able to pass on the dog’s learnt behaviours, setting them up for success in their adoptive homes.

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As well as saving the lives of the dogs due to be euthanised and rehabilitating them for future success and happiness, we expect to see an increase in empathy levels and self esteem as the young people will see how their teaching via positive methods has lead to the dogs having a second chance at a happy future.

Click here to view more: www.RestartDogProject.com