A.R.F. Ontario

ARF is a group of volunteers that endeavor to provide the best care possible for our rescues during their time in foster care AND after they are adopted. One of the ways in which we have reduced the revolving door syndrome of returned dogs that so many shelters/groups face is to REQUIRE all adopters to attend training classes.
If a dog is adopted in the London Ontario area then the classes are INCLUDED in the adoption fee. "Awesome Dogs" is our trainer of choice in London.

If a dog is adopted by families that live too far away to attend weekly classes with Awesome Dogs, training classes at the adopter's expense are a mandatory requirement of a canine adoption. Below is a list of facilities that ARF volunteers have researched and shown to endorse and practice the form of training ARF endorses : Positive Reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement is when you give a dog something they like in order to increase the possibility of future behavior. For example, you can give a dog a cookie for a sit, or give them praise and attention for resting quietly, or throw a ball for a great recall. The dog learns what you want them to do.

Positive Punishment, and Negative Punishment are NOT endorsed or practiced by ARF. Although people may have had success with methods that incorporate their use, it has been widely proven that the use of aversive carries a significant risk of side effects and behavior problems. Examples of these methods include leash pops (corrections), muzzle grabs, alpha rolls, prongs, ear pinches, yelling, shock collars, squirt bottles, penny cans etc. Examples of potential fallout include fear, desensitization to the aversive, stress induced behaviors, learned helplessness, aggression and retaliation. For example, if you want a calm dog that enjoys baths and showers, a squirt bottle used as punishment may create a dog that associate water with punishment. You may solve the initial problem, but be prepared to have more work in the long run – no matter how mild the punishment appears. These methods are NOT to be used on ARF canines during their stay in foster care or after their adoption.

Ain't Misbehavin',
Shawn Devree
44 Chestnut Street
St. Thomas, ON
(519) 633-6464

Barrie Canine Connection,
www.barriecanine.com
Barrie
(705) 792-0761

Better Dogs,
http://www.betterdog.ca
Stratford & Mitchell
(519) 273-4274

Canine Campus,
http://www.caninecampus.ca
Markham
(905) 477-8092

Dawn Kadish DVM, Dog Sports Centre.,
http://www.dogsportscentre.com
19556 Mississauga Rd.
Caledon
(519) 938-9479

Delightful Dogs,
http://www.delightfuldogs.net/index.html
Kitchener
(519) 342-9176
Toll Free: (866) 831-0553

DogGone Right!

Margaret R. Pender
"Get Your Dog Barking up the Right Tree!"
Beaches/Hunt Club area of Toronto
info@doggoneright.ca
416-690-2793

Everyday Dog,
Allison Berry
http://www.rufftoready.ca
695 Industrial Road, Unit 2,
Cambridge
info@everydaydog.ca
519-620-8176

Dealing with Dogs,
Oakville, Toronto,
Burlington and Mississauga
905-469-1555 or 1-877-DWD-DOGS

On Golden Paws,
Varna
(519) 233-3647

Petsmart,
Burlington
905-331-5454

Ruff to Ready,
Tena Kristjanson
http://www.rufftoready.ca
Bradford/Aurora/Alliston area
ruff2ready@gmail.com
705-458-4182

Scholars In Collars Dog Training,
Oakville
(905)333-5479

Super Dog Central Inc.,
http://www.superdogcentral.com
Bowmanville
(905)623-3940

Who’s Walking Who,
37 Parliament Street, Toronto
416-465-3626
975 Kingston Road, Toronto
416-465-3626
889 Westney Road, Ajax
905-619-1733

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