Last week they had a home. Each returned, different reason. First time playing together @HumaneTampaBay #shelterdogs pic.twitter.com/ZDghq0bY3z
— GlenHatchell (@HomeBuddiesTPNE) December 30, 2014

Olaf and Rigo play in the rain

Olaf is the white 9-month old hound mix and Rigo is the dark 8-month old terrier mix.  Olaf might be the most playful dog I have had in playgroups.  This was part of their 20-minute routine during a rainy morning.

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Welcome to playgroups, Dexter!

Watch Dexter as he greets other dogs and begins to play.   He was returned to the Humane Society for being too active. This is his first time in playgroups. This video shows how his play increased the longer he was out. The video was probably over a 20 minute period.

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On TV talking about dog training

Nash McCutchen from HSTB and I visited the set of Daytime TV to talk about dog training. In this clip, I have Nola, a 5-month old hound mix that was returned to HSTB because she was too big. She had been adopted when she was 2-months old. I immediately put her into playgroups to watch her interactions with other dogs. I fell in love.

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Give and Take

One characteristic of a dog who plays good with other dogs is that they take turns on which one has the advantage. In this video, Max lets Dean have most of the advantage.

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Bambi the Skillful One

Bambi shows off her talents.

View the video here.

Almost every playgroup session has a calm period

If there is another enrichment program that is more valuable than playgroups, please let me know what it is. This video captures what most playgroup sessions are like. There is a first-timer, a puppy, an unsure older dog and a mix of others. When we let them be dogs, Zen-like moments happen. 

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Rarely do I allow toys during playgroups, but there are exceptions!

Talking on the radio about Shelter Dog Playgroups

Talking Animals is a radio program broadcast weekly on WMNF 88.5fm in Tampa, FL.  On June 18, 2014, I hosted the program and the subject was PLAY in animal welfare. I talked about Shelter Dog Playgroups at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and I interviewed Aimee Sadler, Director of Training and Behavior at the Southhampton Animal Shelter Foundation about her Dogs Playing for Life program. To listen to the program on the Archives, click here and select the 06/18/2014 program.

Using Shelter Dog Playgroups to assess behavior concerns

I was told that Pluto had been reacting to other dogs in a crazy manner, so I spent a little time with him.  It seemed obvious to me that playing with other dogs in Shelter Dog Playgroups would be highly beneficial for Pluto.    

Summer fun

Copper and Todd

In January 2014, two dogs arrived from South Florida.  These feral-like dogs were captured by a rescue group, vaccinated and kept in a kennel until a new home could be found. Because of Shelter Dog Playgroups, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay decided to accept Copper and Todd.  Although the dogs were safe and had been cared for, no enrichment and very little human interaction had been provided.  Until they came to us.  
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In April, we received the following email. 
I adopted the brothers, Todd & Copper (Todd is now known as Zeus, and Copper is now known as Apollo!) They're doing awesome! They are very happy, spoiled pups! They get plenty of fun and exercise at my work, Camp Bow Wow, along with playing with my other dog, Hercules!

Being part of the Camp Bow Wow franchise system, I was doubly excited when I received the email.  

Beautiful things can happen when dogs play

Play and play signals

In the book Play, Stuart Brown describes the Properties of Play.  He writes that play is:

• Apparently purposeless (done for its own sake)

• Voluntary

• Inherent attraction

• Freedom from time

• Diminished consciousness of self

• Improvisational potential

• Continuation desire

The dogs in this video would agree.

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Using Shelter Dog Playgroups to help build confidence in dogs

For many dogs, the shelter environment can be overwhelming.  These dogs might be hesitant when people approach or they might shown signs of stress around other dogs.  We use Shelter Dog Playgroups to help these dogs become more confident, and that usually means becoming more adoptable.  



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Rain usually doesn't stop Shelter Dog Playgroups

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