Canine Behaviour Intervention

Canine Behaviour Intervention

Not currently recruiting.

Some dogs need a little help adjusting to the shelter environment before finding their forever home or they need some basic training to help them get adopted more quickly.

Canine Behaviour Intervention volunteers provide training and behaviour modification to dogs through positive reinforcement training methods, including counter-conditioning and desensitization to improve the dog’s negative response to certain stimuli.

Intervention volunteers must have professional background/certification in dog training.

Volunteers are required to make a weekly commitment, over a period of at least one-year.

Canine Behaviour Intervention Volunteer Requirements:

  • Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Volunteers must have professional experience working as a dog trainer and/or conducting canine obedience classes.
  • Volunteers must have experience with and understanding of positive reinforcement training techniques
  • Volunteers must be able to handle large dogs and lift at least 40 lbs.
  • Volunteers must be comfortable handling large breed, high-spirited dogs that demonstrate few manners.
  • Volunteers must be able to follow step-by-step instructions explaining how to modify a dog’s behaviour.
  • Volunteers must be able to work alone, with minimal supervision, once trained.
  • Volunteers must commit to a weekly shift of two hours per week for a minimum of one year.

Steps to Becoming a Canine Behaviour Intervention Volunteer:

  • Complete the volunteer application.
  • Ensure you specify on your application the program and day(s) for which you are interested in volunteering.
  • Volunteers whose skills and availability match the Canine Behaviour Intervention volunteering requirements will be contacted for an interview.
  • Following a successful interview, volunteers will be asked to submit a criminal record check and attend a scheduled orientation.

For more information contact our coordinator: volunteers via email at  volunteering@ottawahumane.ca or by telephone at 613-725-3166 ext. 264

We encourage you to browse our site for other volunteer opportunities at the OHS.

Thank you for your interest in our Canine Behaviour Intervention program!

volunteer resources