General Info
Our training friends form Frogs to Dogs also have a heart for dog rescue. Unfortunately, they have gone from having paid boarders to running an unofficial sanctuary for dogs abandoned with them and/or with behaviors that significantly impact their adoptability. Some were abandoned by owners/rescuers, some were repeatedly adopted/returned and some just can't thrive outside of the structure and routine provided here.
We're seeking volunteers who are willing to get these dogs out to classes so they can exercise their minds and in many cases, increase their odds of adoption or placement with Northeast Rescue Partners, where there are fewer dogs in need of homes.
SeeFrogsToDogs.com/Training (right column) for classes for which you might volunteer.
Follow the FrogsToDogs Facebook Page to stay up-to-date on cancellations.
Outdoor classes may be cancelled due to rain and all classes are often cancelled for holidays.
What to Do Before Class
First, please complete a VOLUNTEER INFO/WAIVER FORM
Use your finger or mouse as a pen when completing online form
Or, you can print, sign and scan to volunteer@doggieharmony.org or fax to 470-427-2699
Once your form has been submitted, we'll return your email to ask when you'd like to volunteer. For repeat volunteers, just email volunteer@doggieharmony.org the day before you plan to attend a class so we can make sure we have a dog at class.
What to Bring
The dogs will come to class with a collar/leash, but I often bring an large harness to help with the stronger ones -- and ask the trainers to help put it on. And then you just need to bring a bag of training treats. Some folks use bits of hot dogs, some just use tiny dog treats that you can find at pet store -- or larger chewy treats that can be broken up into small bites.
I'll leave some with the trainers for volunteers -- and hope that they might return to me/class repeatedly. The trainers have a hard time keeping up w/ the harnesses, so if you have one you might bring for the day, a large or medium sized one generally does the job.
About Ace & Sansa
Ace and Sansa belong to a rural GA rescue who gets very few adoptions. They were brought to Frogs to Dogs to home board with trainers in hope of improving their social skills with other dogs. Currently, they are non-reactive to other dogs when leashed and practicing on-leash meetings with other dogs. The trainers will direct you on how to do this, how close to get, etc. The goal is to get them comfortable off leash with a few dogs at once -- we're not there yet, but working up to it. If we can get there, they can go to our northeast partners where dogs tend to get adopted within a month. The alternative is that the return to the rural GA rescue where each has already spent a couple years living in a kennel.
We are also raising money for their stay at Frogs to Dogs, if you'd like to donate.
About Other Dogs in Need
Other dogs that volunteers work with at class were abandoned with the trainers and have other dogs issues and some, people issues. The dogs w/ people issues are muzzled. Again, these dogs are just practicing practicing with new dogs and people with the hope of advancement to the point of adoptability -- or just to leave boarding and do something 'other' than the routine. If you prefer not to work with dogs that have people issues, just let us know when you fill out the VOLUNTEER INFO/WAIVER FORM.
About Doggie Harmony
We are a placement service to help dogs find the best homes for their needs. We serve people who take in dogs (strays/otherwise), people who need to rehome dogs (but will hang on to them temporarily) and rescue groups that are challenged to move long-term boarders or kennel residents along to adoptive homes. Our partnerships with rescue groups in less pet-overpopulated states, training and funding are key parts of this equation. So, we give our time to coordinating efforts in all three areas with the ultimate goal of putting dogs in forever homes.
We have partnered with Frogs to Dogs for over 10 years and just as they've helped us, we like to help them and the rescues who see the benefit of training to get dogs adopted!