“Yes! Good job! That’s it!” It’s not always the animals who get to enjoy a training class at the AWLA. Our amazing volunteers are in on the fun too! Volunteers at the AWLA help with everything from caring for animals to doing laundry and now helping pups put their most polite paw forward. While our amazing volunteers spend so much time helping our animals relax, unwind and enjoy the time they spend waiting to meet their new families, we offer opportunities for them to learn as well. One of many offerings for volunteers at the shelter is now the Polite Pups class led by Volunteer Program Coordinator Brenda Maier. This course lets volunteers work one-on-one with one of our adoptable pups over a four week course that teaches about voluntary eye contact, loose leash walking and more.

The recently graduated inaugural class worked with canine students Roxie, Earl and Luna. “The class increased my confidence level because it gave me the tools I needed to better engage with the pups in the kennel and during walks. Plus, the sessions were fun!” said volunteer Mariana. Classes like Polite Pups give our volunteers a strategy for helping our wagging-tailed friends grow during our time with us, so when they meet their future family, they are ready to start that next chapter in their story.

Learning and training provides mental enrichment for dogs and helps them keep calm and smile on during their time at the shelter. These activities reward them with tasty treats but also offer a way to de-stress in the busy kennel environment. Every time our pups work with a volunteer, they are getting a consistent training style, helping them learn and earn rewards.

But there are canine and human students at these classes. “The class was interesting, and it was a challenge every week learning the dog’s different personalities and abilities,” said volunteer Chris. Whether they’re working with pups at the shelter or their own pets at home, classes like Polite Pups, Clicker Training and even our introductory Dog and Cat Body Language courses help our volunteers find new ways to interact with all the animals in their lives.

To learn more about volunteering at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, click HERE.