lead handler training - hshv

LEAD HANDLER TRAINING

3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105

(734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org

Becoming Certified as a Lead Handler

Humane Society of Huron Valley | (734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org

• Completion of Handler Certification

• Review Lead Handler Self-Study Training Materials

• Complete Lead Handler Training Log- at least 20

hours of play groups as Lead Handler under staff

observation

• Completion of final play group assessment

• Take Certification Quiz to access overall

understanding of training concepts

THE LEAD HANDLER


• Lead Handler- Manages the play group. Reviews all notes

from behavior prior to a play session. Provides a “briefing” to

everyone in the play group. Decides when to bring dogs into

the yard.

• Handler- Assistant to the lead. Extra set of eyes on the dogs.

Takes direction from Lead Handler on when to use

interruption/correction tools.

• Runner- Transports dogs to and from the play yard. Waits for

direction from Lead Handler on when to let dogs in/out of the

gate. Helps with CPR (continuous play recovery) after a dog

fight.

• Behavior Team-Provides the play group list. Volunteers do not

decide which dogs are in each group.

The Roles Within Play Groups-A Review


• How many people in the yard will depend on the size of the

play group.

• Groups of less than 5 dogs

• 1 Lead Handler

• At least 1 Handler

• Optional: 1 Handler shadowing

• Groups of more than 5 dogs

• 1 Lead Handler

• 2 Handlers

• Optional: 1 Handler shadowing

• Runners-no limit in either group. Runners are to remain

outside of the play yard or in the holding area, not in the

yard.

Play Group Structure-How Many People in

the Yard?


• Lead Handler sets the tone

for the group.

• Talking and Handling of

dogs should be minimized as dogs should be focused

on each other.

• Cell phone should be put

away to avoid distractions.

• Runners should remain on

the outside of the play

yard unless they are

bringing up or putting

away a dog.

Play Group Environment


• As Lead Handler, you

will be directly working

with volunteers.

• If there is ever a

concern about another

volunteer, please inform

the volunteer

department instead of

discussing with other

volunteers.

• Be respectful and

courteous.

Working With Volunteers

TOOLS FOR THE

LEAD HANDLER


• Playgroup Tub

• Lead Handler binder

• Play group selections from the

behavior team (Note: Lead

Handlers will not choose which

dogs participate in each group,

but will use lists provided.)

• Notes sheet to document your

session

• Walkie

• Communication Tools (i.e. spray

bottle, air horn, shake can, fire

extinguisher)

• Steps for Handling a Dog Fight

reference guide

Tools to Manage Play Groups

MANAGING DOG FIGHTS


• Immediately call for assistance using the emergency word “Dog

Fight” and provide your current location. (I.e. “Dog fight in upper

play yard.”).

• Use the following methods to break up a fight

• Sound air horn.

• Try spray shield, which may be effective.

• If near a hose or water source, attempt to either hose or splash

water on the dogs.

• Try the wheelbarrow method

• As a last resort, try using a fire extinguisher

• Once the dogs are safely apart and separated and has calmed

down enough to grab for the collar, each person should re-leash

the dog.

When a Fight Happens


• Do remain calm.

• Do remain respectful to other staff

and volunteers.

• Do provide guidance to other

volunteers to keep everyone safe.

• Do readily take directives from staff.

• Do use proven and humane

methods for breaking up dog fights.

• Do allow staff to help and assist.

• Do report the incident to the

volunteer department.

When a Fight Happens – Do’s


• Do not reach for collars and/or

faces when dogs are near each

other.

• Do not hit, kick, or punch either

dog, this will only escalate the

situation and violates our policies.

• Do not put your body in between

the dogs in an effort to break them

up.

• Do not pick up the dog, this could

only leave it vulnerable to the other

dog and may give it the opportunity

to bite you in a vulnerable spot

(namely your face).

When a Fight Happens – Don’ts


• Try and pull the dogs apart. It is important that both people

(one person per dog) perform the technique simultaneously:

• Grab the dog on the back legs, closer to the upper thigh.

This will allow you control of the dog and give the dogs

less of a chance bite the person trying to pull apart.

• Stand up while holding dog’s back legs and

simultaneously rotate clockwise, thus rotating the dog’s

hips/body to disorient and throw the dogs off balance.

• Each person must attempt to drag the dogs in different

directions so the dogs can no longer see each other.

Breaking Up a Fight-The Wheelbarrow Method

3100 Cherry Hill Road | Ann Arbor, MI | 48105

(734) 662-5585 | www.hshv.org

HOW TO BREAK UP A DOG FIGHT


1. Decision to use should primarily be

made by staff and as a last resort

when severe injury or death of a dog is possible

2. Make sure extinguisher is properly

charged

3. Pull Pin, hold extinguisher upright

4. Stand about 6 feet away from dogs

5. Depress and squeeze lever

6. Spray away from dogs first to try to

startle

7. Sweep side-to-side

Breaking Up a Fight-Using a Fire Extinguisher

Yellow knob

should be in

green section

indicating the

extinguisher is

properly charged.


• If injuries are present with the dog (if you see any blood at all,

lameness, odd behavior, etc)

• Radio the shelter vet team to alert them that the dog is coming and

take the dog immediately to the clinic for care.

• If no immediate injuries noticed, have a runner walk a loop

before returning the dog to his/her kennel. Alert a manager,

supervisor, or behavior staff member.

• Check in on volunteers helping, how are they doing? Be sure to

follow up with the volunteer department if they are not on-site

during the time of the fight.

• If a person is injured during a dog fight, make sure it is reported

to behavior, a supervisor, or a staff member.

• An injury report must be filled out for the volunteer who

sustained the injury.

What to Do After a Fight

• Email the volunteer department and we will

open the Lead Handler Shadowing

assignment.

• Complete Lead Handler Training Log. These

will be in the behavior office.

• Take the online assessment quiz after your

training log is completed.

• Start signing up for shifts in VIC!

What’s Next?

THANK YOU!

lead handler training - hshv

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