It seems to me there are a couple of issues here. I don't think a shelter wants just any JoeBloe walking in one day to say "hey I'd like to help by walking your dogs". The shelter needs to know something about its volunteers though a criminal check might be a bit much. If someone has been volunteering at a shelter for some time so the staff knows them and now new policies are being put into effect, then the shelter should have some sort of informational meeting/handout for all its volunteers so they know what and why. And even when volunteers have been accepted, some mini-training should be included for handling dogs. Many shelter dogs have been abused so I wouldn't want a volunteer who grew up under the "old" system of training with spanking and collar yerking now handling a special needs dog. Actual certification for dog walkers - no - the government intrudes enough.
Course a' Lure
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This is a fun, noncompetitive lure course that any dog can enter. I'm thinking of going next month.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9zk6K9SrcE&feature=player_embedded
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Dan, that is a very cool course and could be a great way to introduce a dog to coursing. I love the dachshunds jumping over the rails. And one dog was a smarty pants and decided to go around a couple of rails. Gotta give him some credit!
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Way cool!!!!!
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Something similar was at a big dog show in my area a few years ago. The one I ran my dog through had an A-frame and tunnels as well as the jumps and tire. It was a blast!
