Body Language
A dog turns their head away, licks their lips, and yawns during handling. What are they saying?
I’m uncomfortable — please give me space.
What does the clicker “mark”?
The exact moment the animal does the desired behavior.
What is the contact time for Accel at a 1:32 concentration?
10 minutes
True or false: kennel staff needs approval from medical team or kennel manager to feed wet food to dogs during feedings.
True
You notice a staff member struggling with a nervous dog. What should you do?
Offer calm, respectful help or get another trained handler.
A cat’s tail is puffed up and lashing. What should you do?
Stop approaching — they’re stressed or defensive.
True or false: the click itself is a reward.
False — the click marks the behavior; the treat is the reward.
You notice kennel cough symptoms while cleaning. What do you do first?
Stop and report immediately to a supervisor — do not handle that animal.
What dog enrichment items are approved for feeding in the shelter?
Food dispensing balls, cardboard boxes, paper bags, Kong wobblers, cardboard tubes, newspaper
Slow-feeders are a last resort.
If a cat escapes from a kennel, what’s the safest approach?
Stay calm, close doors, move slowly, don’t chase.
True or False: Cats only purr when they are content.
False
You are teaching a shy cat to step onto a scale. How can you use shaping with a clicker to accomplish this?
Reward small steps toward the goal: looking at the scale → sniffing → touching → stepping on.
What’s one way disease can spread between kennels even if animals don’t touch?
Through contaminated hands, equipment, clothing, or cleaning tools (fomites).
What’s one easy enrichment for cats in kennels?
Hide box, perch, scent item, food puzzle, or wand play.
How much food should a dog be getting after they have surgery?
Half of their normal feeding amount.
If a dog stiffens, raises hackles, and stares at you, what’s the safest next step?
Stop approach, give space, and avoid direct eye contact.
What’s one benefit of clicker training for fearful animals?
Builds trust, reduces stress, increases confidence, creates predictability.
Which common shelter virus can survive for weeks in the environment and requires strict cleaning protocols?
Parvovirus (dogs) or Panleukopenia (cats).
True or false: background noise (like music) can reduce stress in kennels.
True — soft classical or species-appropriate music can calm animals.
True or False: Running after a loose dog is the best way to catch it safely.
False — chasing can increase fear and risk of bites.
True or false: a wagging tail always means a happy dog.
False — tail wag can mean excitement, stress, or uncertainty depending on body posture.
What’s it called when you click and treat several times before starting training, to teach what the click means?
Charging the clicker
Why is it important to dry kennels completely before putting animals back in?
Moisture traps bacteria and chemicals, can irritate skin, and reduces disinfectant effectiveness.
Some dogs in the shelter bark excessively or spin in their kennels. What’s one root cause of this behavior, and how can enrichment help reduce it?
Root cause: Stress, frustration, boredom, or lack of mental stimulation.
Enrichment helps by giving them choice, control, and positive outlets (sniff walks, food puzzles, quiet time, training games).
Two dogs are barking loudly and increasing each other’s stress. What three things should be done to manage the situation safely?
Increase enrichment to redirect energy and reduce stress.
Place one dog on the back side of their kennel when the neighbor is coming in and out.
Notify the kennel manager or lead staff so the situation is monitored and additional support is available.