 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
Animal Behavior Programs
Report Animal Abuse or Neglect
Animal Behavior Programs
Behavior Consultations
Now you can bring your dog and his or her issues to our shelter for a private, one-on-one behavior consultation. Starting mid-September you will also be able to bring in your cat for a private, one-on-one behavior consultation. Our experts can help you work through issues like housetraining, separation anxiety, shyness, fear, new dog/puppy problems, obedience, dog reactivity, and enjoy a better relationship with your pet. Because PHS/SPCA is a non-profit, our rates are significantly less expensive than other behavior consultation businesses. But, we're every bit as good! The initial 75-minute consultation is $70; 30-minute follow-ups are $40. To schedule an appointment, please call 650/340-7022, ext. 667.
Meet our consultants – Anika Liljenwall, Janet Nicolini, Kim Moeller, Maria Eguren, Margaret Daul, Tasha Suda, & Terri Wong
Obedience Classes
Whether you've just adopted a dog and want to get off on the right paw, or you want a refresher course for your longtime companion, PHS/SPCA companion dog training courses are ideal. We hold year-round Puppy Classes, Level I, and Intermediate obedience classes. In addition, we're offering dog training geared for children and dog training conducted in Spanish. Classes are 6 one-hour sessions and limited to 12 dogs. Discounts are available for dogs adopted from PHS/SPCA, and for seniors.
PHS/SPCA Dog Training Classes - Schedule
Puppy Kindergarten (4-8 months)
Monday 6:15pm - FULL
July 26th
Instructor: Sharon
Wednesday 6:15pm – no class Sept 1st
August 11th
Instructor: Margaret
Intermediate
Saturday, 12 noon - no class Sept 18th
September 11th
Instructor: Tasha
Companion Dog Level 1
Sunday 11:15am - FULL
July 25th
Instructor: Rachel
Wednesday 7:30pm – no class Sept 1st
August 11th
Instructor: Margaret
Companion Dog Level 1 – Dog Training for Kids see flyer
TBD
Companion Dog Level 1 for Small Dogs
(Dogs 6 months and older – under 25 lbs.)
Training Bully Breeds
(Dogs 6 months and older)
(2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month)
Tuesday 6:15pm
August 24th, Sept 14th and 28th, and Oct 12th
- class 1: breed characteristics, attention, sit, jumping up
- class 2 : down, targeting, loose leash walks, stay, importance of exercise
- class 3 : arousal levels, approaching other dogs, crate training
- class 4 : leave it, distractions, approaching other dogs
Instructor: Maria and Katie
Puppy Playgroup (2-6 months)
(1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month) 6:15pm
Instructor: Anika & Terri
Petite Pups Playgroup (dogs under 35lbs) NEW
Sundays 12:30pm
Next 5 week session begins:
Sunday, July 18th- no class on August 1st
Instructor: Terri
Bully Breeds Playgroup (dogs must be social)
Waitlist for the next upcoming session open. Appointments are being scheduled for evaluations prior to the new session beginning. Call Terri at ext 317 to schedule a dog evaluation if interested.
Next 5 week session begins:
Thursday 6:00pm (no class August 5th)
July 15th
Instructor: Terri
Bully Breeds Social Sunday is FULL - no class on August 1st
Dog Day Evenings
(Dogs 6 months and older – over 40 lbs.)
Next 5 week session begins:
Tuesday 7:30pm
TBD
Instructor: Anika
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Saturday, 1:15pm - no class Sept 18th
September 11th
Instructor: Tasha
Tricks & Games for the Family Dog
TBD
Level 1 / Beginner Clicker Training – special exercises for Shy Dogs
TBD
Basic Agility
Sunday 10:00am
July 25th
Instructor: Rachel
This agility class is for any dog with a solid basic obedience (Sit, Down, Stay, Come) and reliable loose lead heeling. Over the weeks we will learn:
- how to navigate a basic obstacle course (tunnels, jumps, tire, A-frame, weave poles)
- safety considerations
- warm-ups and handling exercises
Mini-session on Recall (Come when Called) NEW
Saturday 12 noon
August 7th and August 14th
- 2 day training session
- 1 hour session each day (must enroll in both sessions)
- Cost: $42 for General Public / $30 for PHS adopted dog
There are two easy ways to register!
- Call 650-340-7022 x667
- Download registration
form and return to
Behavior Department
12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94401
Behavior Helpline
Residents of San Mateo County can call the Behavior Helpline and a trained staff member will return their call within 48 hours (Monday through Friday during normal business hours) to offer free advice related to domestic animal behavior.
We can help with barking and chewing problems, separation anxiety, and housetraining in dogs; and with spraying, clawing, and nocturnal activity in cats (among other issues for dogs, cats and other animals). Please call 650/340-7022, ext. 783 (ext. 786 for Spanish).
You can read about some behavior issues by going to the Animal Behavior Advice section in the Resource Library. Also in the Resource Library, check out the Behavior Q&A.
The PHS/SPCA Behavior Department is funded entirely by donations and obedience class fees. Much of the department's day-to-day work is supported by volunteers. To volunteer, please contact Brian Probst at 650/2340-7022, ext. 328 or bprobst@PHS-SPCA.org.
E-Mail our Behavior Experts
We are also happy to offer advice for your pet’s behavior issues via e-mail! Just fill out and submit the Online Behavior Help Application and our Behavior Staff will reply to you within one week with helpful tips and suggestions.
Instructors Biography
Tasha
Tasha Suda has grown up with dogs her whole life and has been active in training and behavior since 2000, when she started volunteering as a dog training assistant at PHS. In late 2001 she started teaching classes at PHS. She also has a background in grooming; working as a groomer in Half Moon Bay for 6 years. Tasha is a graduate of the Marin Humane Society’s Canine Behavior Academy taught by Trish King. She has attended numerous seminars that focus on animal behavior, learning and training by many of the top leaders in the dog training community. Trish King, Ian Dunbar, Pia Silvani, Jean Donaldson, John Rogerson, Patricia McConnell, Nicole Wilde and Sue Sternberg to name a few. She continues to attend seminars and read books to keep up on the latest information available. Tasha currently teaches the following classes at PHS; companion dog level 1 for small dogs, puppy pre-school, puppy kindergarten, companion dog level 1, and the canine good citizen class. She also does behavior consultations and works with some of the shelter dogs.
Tasha currently resides with a deaf border collie mix named Grayson, a cat named Ember and a border collie named Phoebe that came to her home as a PHS foster.
Her passion is dogs and she has a soft spot for the special needs dog whether it is physical or mental and likes to take on the challenge that comes with these dogs. She feels the true reward of teaching is being able to see the change that takes place.
back to top
Rachel
Rachel began her profession as a dancer and K-12 educator, has been teaching workshops for children and adults since 1995. She has enjoyed bringing her experience in dance, psychology, and education to dog training, and she joined the Peninsula Humane Society's training team in 2008. Helping her students to develop an awareness of themselves and their canine companions through movement and clear communication has been a wonderful part of her work, and Rachel credits the success of her own dogs in agility, Canine Good Citizen, and pet assisted therapy to the strong sense of teamwork she has developed with them through ongoing training.
back to top
Kelly
Kelly McCarthy has been active in behavior and training since 2003. Always an animal lover and pet owner, Kelly's focused interest in canine behavior only began after she adopted her current dog, Molly, from the San Francisco SPCA. Molly had a mild form of separation anxiety and a number of cautious tendencies which generally made her nervous around new people and new situations. Molly had been abandoned in a park by her previous owners and her nervousness was largely the result of a lack of trust between Molly and the people in her life. Having worked as an assistant to the trainers at PHS for a year, Kelly is now a lead instructor and teaches classes at PHS in clicker training, puppy kindergarten, and intermediate companion dog. In addition to teaching classes she works with PHS' shelter dogs on a variety of behavior issues and conducts behavior evaluations for newly surrendered or stray dogs who find their way to the shelter. Kelly is a graduate of the Marin Humane Society's Canine Behavior Academy taught by Trish King. Kelly also recently attended a seminar entitled "New Perspectives on Canid Behavior" taught by Suzanne Clothier at Wolf Park in Indiana.
back to top
Margaret
(M.A., CTC, CPDT-KA) has been a dog lover and owner all her life. She began her more serious dog involvement by raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind in 2004. She raises the GDB puppies from two months till they return to Guide Dogs for formal training. She socializes the pups and teaches them house manners and basic obedience. They return to Guide Dogs at about 16 months. Margaret has raised five pups for Guide Dogs for the Blind and has been a leader for a local Guide Dog for the Blind Puppy-Raising group on the Peninsula since 2005. In this capacity, Margaret’s responsibilities include planning for and leading Guide Dog training sessions, teaching raisers how to identify and manage behavior issues while focusing on obedience training in large group, small group & individual settings.
Margaret took the SFSPCA Dog training course and got her CTC (Certificate in Training and Counseling.), taught by Jean Donaldson, Janis Bradley and John Buginas. Margaret also completed her internship at the SFSPCA earning a Behavior and Training Certificate. Margaret has her CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed) from APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). Margaret took Master the Growlies taught by Veronica Boutelle, MA, CTC, of dog TEC and Kim Moeller, CTC, who is well known for her work with aggressive dogs. She has traveled to North Carolina and Belgium for the 10-day Dog Training and Behavior Solving courses with John Rogerson. Also took his Canine Welfare and Rehabilitation Course and Puppy Development Course. She is enrolled in the Karen Pryor Academy this fall for further training. Margaret loves working with people and their dogs and is looking forward to meeting you and your dog in her training classes.
back to top
Anika
Anika Liljenwall grew up loving animals and throughout her life has owned dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, hermit crabs, guinea pigs, tortoises, and even a hedgehog. Anika lived in New Mexico for many years, but she moved to California in 2003 to attend UC Davis where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biology, with a specialization in Animal Behavior. Soon after graduating Anika became a Behavior Assistant here at PHS in September 2007. Anika strives to merge her scientific background with shelter work and dog training. She works one-on-one with shelter dogs and cats with behavior issues, trains volunteers, and counsels members of the public who are experiencing behavior issues with their pets. Anika also thoroughly enjoys teaching both the Puppy Playgroup and Dog Day Evenings. She currently resides in San Mateo, with her cat Maeby and the occasional foster cat.
back to top
Sharon
Sharon Hall has been an active volunteer in all aspects of the dog training program since the Humane Society took over training courses for the public three years ago. In addition to Puppy class, Level 1 and Intermediate class she has taken part in specialized classes for Bully Breeds, shy dogs, children with dogs and Clicker training.
back to top
Terri
Terri Wong has loved animals all her life. She has cared for dogs, cats, guinea pigs, bunnies, hamsters, fish, turtles, salamanders, crickets, grasshoppers, and even a praying mantis. In 2004 she attended UC Davis, California earning her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, emphasis in Animal Behavior. Terri has participated in undergraduate research on bison sexual selection, sage grouse ecology, lovebird mate pairing, and cockatiel affiliative and agnostic behaviors. She found her passion for applied behavior training when working at the California National Primate Center, Davis as a behaviorist studying laboratory enrichment and abnormal behaviors in Japanese and Chinese Rhesus macaques. She then worked at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Davis, assisting veterinarians in diagnosing and training companion pets with behavior problems. After moving back home, Terri became a Behavior Assistant here at PHS in October 2008. Every day she goes to work excited to train the shelter animals and counsel owners on pet behavior issues. Terri currently reside in Daly City with her PHS adopted dogs Skye (Australian Shepherd) and Rusty (Shiba Inu), BunBun a 13 year old Californian bunny, Franklin a Red-eared Slider turtle, and numerous species of goldfish (they are a symbol of good fortune and wealth in the Chinese culture).
back to top
Maria
has an advanced degree in biology from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a specialization in animal behavior. She has also been certified as an Animal Behavior Consultant by IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants). During her 15 years in the animal behavior field, she has focused on ethology, enrichment programs, training, and consulting for wild animals in captivity and pets. She worked on behavior research projects for several zoos in Argentina and the U.S.A. Among the species she has worked with are gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, American ostriches, red pandas, and Patagonic hares. She is currently head of the Behavior Department for the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA. Her responsibilities include temperament assessments for cats and dogs going up for adoption, developing and implementing training plans for animals who need behavior modification before being placed up for adoption, teaching training classes for shelter and public dogs, consultations with the public during the adoption process and follow-up after the adoption has been completed, as well as consultations for people whose pets present challenging behavior issues.
back to top
Kim
is a certified professional dog trainer and dog walker. She graduated from the renowned SF/SPCA Dog Training Academy in 1999. Her specialty is dog-dog aggression on and off leash. She was awarded special certification for dog-dog aggression in 2002 by Jean Donaldson. Now a recognized expert in dog aggression Kim has written articles and given lectures on leash reactivity, canine body language, and dog play and off leash dog aggression and dog park etiquette. She has lectured internationally. She recently lectured in Spain to a group of professional dog trainers on dog aggression and on how to teach growly dog classes and how to conduct private training sessions.
Kim currently teaches Growly Dog classes . She personally developed the successful “growly dog class” for dogs who are reactive to other dogs on leash and recently published a book on the subject titled Reactive Rover! In addition to dog training, Kim has been involved as a professional dog walker in the San Francisco community for over 10 years. Kim also co-founded the Dog Walking Academy in 2003 with Veronica Boutelle to give dog walkers the necessary training to become certified dog walkers in their community.
back to top
Janet
holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, developed an interest in dog training and behavior modification after adopting a two year old German Shepherd with serious behavior issues. In the process of successfully rehabilitating him, she worked with UC Davis’ veterinary behaviorists and a Bay Area based dog behavior counselor. This inspired a desire to learn more about dog behavior and how to change unwanted behavior using science based methods recommended by veterinary behaviorists and animal behaviorists including those who work at shelters throughout the country.
In 2007 Janet completed the Canine Behavior Academy, Marin Humane Society. Janet has attended the UC Davis Behavior Medicine Symposium (2004, 2005, 2007), APDT Conference (2005) and seminars by internationally respected behavior specialists including Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar, Jean Donaldson, Nicholas Dodman, Pia Silvani, and Steve White. Additionally Janet has attended training related seminars including canine freestyle and Introduction to Noseworks (K9 Noseworks). Janet has volunteered for Peninsula Humane Society’s Behavior Department since 2008. Volunteer activities include helping dog owners with training problems, developing informational material for dog owners and assisting behavior consults.
back to top
Second Chance Class
This class, held twice weekly, is for dogs in our shelter. Our Animal Behaviorist guides a team of volunteers who help teach the dogs to walk on a leash, learn the "sit," "down," and "stay" commands, and socialize with other dogs and people. Information about the dogs who have taken these classes is available for potential adopters.
back to top
Getting to Know You Class
This two-hour class is for new dog owners. Learn why dogs do the
things they do. Topics will include the pack dynamic through housetraining.
Suggested $10 donation at the door.
The class is held twice a year. This is a people only class. No pets please.
To sign up call 650/340-7022, ext. 306 or training@PHS-SCPA.org.
back to top
Dog Day Mornings
Do you have a dog who's a social butterfly? Or maybe a dog who's a little shy or nervous? Do you like dog parks but sometimes feel uncomfortable being there? Then have we got a program for you and your canine companion!
At Dog Day Mornings dogs romp and play off-leash in a supervised atmosphere every Saturday morning, rain or shine. There are two sessions -- 9:30 am to 10:30 am for dogs all shapes and sizes and a 10:30 am to 11:30 am class reserved for just small dogs. All dogs must be current on their vaccinations, have attended a basic obedience class and all dogs 6 months and older must be altered. The fee is $5.00 per class or save with a 6-session card for $25! For more information and to enroll call 650/340-7022 ext. 784. Come join us. . . It's a barking good time!
back to top
Animal Behavior Advice Articles
Books on Animal Behavior
About Dogs
- The Dog Who Loved Too Much by Nicholas Dodman
- The Good Little Dog Book by Ian Dunbar
- How to Teach an Old Dog New Tricksby Ian Dunbar
- The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
- Leader of the Packby Patricia McConnell
About Cats
- Claws and Purrs by Peter Neville
- Twisted Whiskers--Solving Your Cat's Behavior Problems by Pam Johnson
- Cat Watching by Desmond Morris
Home | About Us | Our Services | Adopt an Animal |
Volunteer | Events
Resource Library | Site Map | Job Opportunities | Contact
the Webmaster