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Building the bond between human and pooch From a ringworm outbreak, coyote appearances and making Canadian case law to organizing animal education and training programs, the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS) stays busy. Critter Crusaders, a threepart Oakville Beaver series on OMHS, takes a close look at the stalwart of Halton and its impact on the community and the animals it saves. The final instalment in this three-part series looks to the Sit. Stand. Off. Take it. Come. Stay. Those are just some of the basic commands the recently launched Family Dog Training program run by the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS) teaches the pups -- and their owners -- that enrol. But the program isn't just your basic training class, says OMHS manager of outreach and education Heather White, it's more about making sure the right dog is with the right owner and strengthening their bond. "We want to help the owner and the dog understand their relationship a little better and help make the dog a good member of the family and community, and ultimately, make the family proud of their dog -- that's the motivating factor here," she said. "Training is a fantastic way to strengthen that bond and also to link dog owners up with a resource. Oftentimes when 7 | Friday, March 22, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff future of the OMHS and the latest addition to its extensive programming -- family dogtraining classes. people get a new dog they don't always know all the ins and outs, or maybe they never had a puppy before or there's an issue that the dog might have that they may need a little help through, so having a trainer as a resource is a great thing." That canine trainer is program co-ordinator Melissa Ruf, who has been training dogs for the past four years -- though she's been actively training her own dogs, Archibald and Bruin, for approximately eight years. "The program is meant to offer a family-friendly basic skills class for new adopters to sign up with immediately upon adopting," she said. "Let's face it, life is busy and people have a lot on the go, so being able to offer them a shelterbased program at the time of adoption is convenient. We also have a great perspective and understanding of the challenges faced by new adopters of shelter dogs." Ruf said working with Above, canine training co-ordinator Melissa Ruf coaxes great dane Kokanee, 3, to lie down, while, at left, Ruf shows Steph Hand how to get Torie, a three-year-old Yorkie, to stand during a dog-training class at the Oakville & Milton Humane Society. The Family Dog Training program is a recently-launched initiative of the shelter to help develop and strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners. photos by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) canines in a shelter setting is often very different than working with owned pet dogs. The majority of shelter dogs arrive at the humane society because their owners have given them up, oftentimes because the canine's behaviour was considered unacceptable or intolerable to see Program on p.8 EVERY THURSDAY: 1/2 LB. BURGER & FRIES DAY S E U T T NIGHRIB BEEF HT NIG $ 99 EAT IN ONLY 6 Time is Precious, Mistakes are Costly and Decorating is Complicated. EVERY FRIDAY $8.99 2 PIECE FISH & CHIPS TAKE OUT WING SPECIAL 5 LBS OF WINGS FOR $31.99 2 LBS OF WINGS FOR $13.99 PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES Inquire about your Personal Design Consultation. At Fitz by Design we are committed to creating breathtaking, functional spaces that are unique as the individuals living in them. Call 905.334.3583 www.fitzbydesign.ca shona@fitzbydesign.ca 1289 MARLBOROUGH COURT, OAKVILLE, ON 905-842-4435 · WWW.MONAGHANS.CA