Pawsitive Directions Canine Program - Nova Institution Federal Prison for Women

Pawsitive Directions introduces women offenders to the basics of dog training, grooming, and animal behaviour. Participants are given an opportunity to make a tangible contribution to society; after studying theory in Phase 1, each woman promoted to Phase 2 has the opportunity to rescue a dog from a shelter or vet clinic. The dog is trained and returned to the community as a well-trained family pet, or, if dog and handler have the aptitude for Phase 3, the dog may be trained as an assistance dog for a disabled person.

The non-punitive training methods of Operant Conditioning are used in the program. Handlers gain valuable skills while learning alternatives to punishment. The dogs are taught good canine citizenship while the handlers learn responsibility, self-discipline, and how to set boundaries.

Responsibility, empathy, sharing, and patience are principles of the canine program. In addition, Pawsitive Directions supports the daily focus of the Cognitive Living Skills Program. These highlighted topics include problem recognition and problem solving, consequential thinking, fact consideration, and decision-making.

Community participation is stressed in the canine program. Veterinarians, animal health technicians, dog groomers, and dog breeders from around the province participate in the delivery of the material covered in Phase 1. Representatives of the pharmaceutical and pet food industries address the group, as do other trainers and animal behaviourists. Volunteers from local dog clubs, agility clubs, and animal welfare organizations are also welcome visitors.

The handlers are encouraged to become law-abiding citizens. As a participant works through the Phases of Pawsitive Directions, she gains numerous benefits as she:
- contributes to society by rescuing and training an unwanted dog
- experiences a completely accepting, non-judgmental relationship with her rescue dog
- becomes exposed to another disenfranchised group by training an assistance dog
- becomes skilled in operant conditioning, a non-punitive, reward-based system of training
- practices self-discipline and setting boundaries
- learns to end relationships in a healthy manner
- learns to respect the efforts and successes of others in the program

Women entering this program often have low self-esteem and little belief in their power to control their lives. The canine program contributes to higher self-esteem as the dog's learning is in direct proportion to the handler's efforts. A flexible time schedule allows individually prepared lessons, assignments, and extra study for special-needs participants.

Pawsitive Directions is presented in three phases. Phases 1 and 2 are designed to introduce participants to the theory and practice of operant conditioning and to general animal care basics. Participants are then permitted to each put their knowledge to use by caring for and training a dog which can then be placed in a loving home in the community.

Phase 1 "Classroom Instruction" This three-month phase involves a course of classroom instruction, demonstrations and hands-on practice. Topics covered include: the history of the dog, fundamentals of Operant Conditioning, health care, grooming, ethics, basic nutrition, genetics, and breeding. The goal of Phase 1 is to prepare each handler to care for and train her own dog. The instructor's dogs are used in this phase for demonstration purposes, to teach operant conditioning techniques, and to give participants hands-on practice. Handlers are evaluated weekly, and at the conclusion of this phase, a determination is made regarding the handler's suitability for the Phase 2.

Phase 2 "Obedience Training" Phase 2 lasts for up to nine months. During this phase, each handler is taught to care for and train her own dog. One dog is adopted per handler; dogs in this phase come from rescue shelters and private citizens. They are carefully behaviour tested before entering the program. Special consideration is given to the safety of primary workers. Aggressive breeds or breed combinations are not considered suitable. Crates are supplied for the handlers' rooms, and the dogs spend all unsupervised time in the crates. Participants are encouraged to have their dogs with them whenever possible, to facilitate training and social interactions. The dogs must also be exercised for a minimum of one hour per day. The focus of instruction in Phase II is on obedience training. Handlers are evaluated weekly, and the dog/handler team is reviewed at the completion of each training module. Participants receive a combination of hands-on training, lectures, videos, suggested readings and guest speakers. The dog's progress is assessed throughout Phase 2 by the instructor, and at the conclusion of Phase 2, the Canine Good Citizen Test is administered by a recognized volunteer tester. When the dog is ready to be adopted into a family, the handler works with that family, teaching them how to care for their dog, and continue its training.

Phase 3 "Assistance Dog Training" In Phase 3, which lasts a minimum of twelve months, advanced assistance dog training is offered for dogs which have the potential to be more than family pets. These dogs are taught special skills, including picking up dropped objects, carrying messages between people, pulling up bed linens, turning lights on and off, alerting to specific noises, and assisting with rising or walking. As well as training these dogs, Phase 3 handlers gain experience teaching public dog obedience classes at the Institution, including lesson preparation for, and presentation of five levels of obedience.