Safely Grouping Shelter Dogs

Adapted from Santos et. al.

Equipment needed:
 Head collars (Gentle Leader/Halti or made from rope leashes) for questionable dogs, or
collars/leashes
 Field markers
 Two handlers

Phase 1 (5 minutes)
Set up a triangle that is approx. 30 ft x 30 ft x 42 ft (10 paces x 10 paces x 13 paces). Drop a cone or
some other item at each point in the triangle to mark the area.

1. Handler 1 walks to Point A of the triangle and pauses, allowing the dog to sniff/mark the
cone. Reinforce any calm behavior (praise, gentle petting, treats).
2. Handler 1 walks to Point B in the triangle and pauses, allowing dog to sniff/mark the cone.
Reinforce any calm behavior (praise, gentle petting, treats).
3. When Handler 1 reaches the Point B, Handler 2 walks Dog 2 up to Point A and allows him to
sniff/mark the cone. Reinforce any calm behavior (praise, gentle petting, treats).
4. As Handler 1 walks to Point C, Handler 2 walks to Point B. Allow dogs to sniff/mark.
Reinforce any calm behavior (praise, gentle petting, treats).
5. Handler 1 then walks about 15’ away from the triangle/Point C to allow 2nd dog to approach
Point C. Reinforce any calm behavior (praise, gentle petting, treats).
6. Hander 2 walks to Point C and lets the dog mark/sniff. Reinforce any calm behavior (praise,
gentle petting, treats).
7. Hander 2 walks back to Point B and lets dog sniff/mark. Reinforce any calm behavior (praise,
gentle petting, treats).
8. When Handler 2 reaches Point B, Handler 1 walks back to Point C and lets dog sniff/mark.
Reinforce any calm behavior (praise, gentle petting, treats).
9. As Handler 2 walks back to Point A, Handler 1 walks back to point B. Allow dogs to
sniff/mark. Reinforce any calm behavior (praise, gentle petting, treats).
10. Handlers 1 and 2 walk dogs to second testing area, keeping dogs at least 15’ apart.
Phase 2 (10-15 minutes)

Set up a circle apporx 30’ diameter, and place markers at 12, 3, 6 and
9. Inside the circle, mark 4 points that are 6’ apart.

This phase has 5 steps. Each step should be repeated 3 times with no
signs of aggression to move on to the next step.

Figure 2

At each step, reinforce any calm behavior with praise, treats, and petting. If one or both dogs show
aggression during 3 successive attempts at a step, stop the process and repeat the next day, pairing
the aggressor with a different dog. If this second attempt fails, the dog(s) that showed aggression in
both trials shouldn’t be kenneled together. Depending on the level of aggression, they may be ok in a
playgroup but should be constantly monitored.

1. Beginning at points A and B (Figure 2), dogs A and B were walked clockwise on the circle to
complete 1 spin. Reinforce calm behavior with praise, treats, and petting at each point on the
circle. Repeat.
2. Beginning at points A and B, walk dogs to the 1A and 1B points (just inside the circle), ask for
a sit, reinforce with treats, petting, praise. Return to A and B points, respectively. Repeat.
3. Beginning at points A and B, walk dogs to the 2A and 2B points (a little farther inside the
circle), ask for a sit, reinforce with treats, petting, praise. Return to points A and B,
respectively. Repeat.
4. Walk dog at point B to point A, approaching dog A from behind. Stop about 10’ behind Dog A.
5. Walk dogs around the circle 3x, with Handler A in front and Handler B following them closely
but not allowing physical contact between the dogs.
6. Stopping at each point on the circle, allow Dog B (the dog that is following) smell Dog A for 1
second. Reinforce calm behavior with treats, petting, praise. Start moving after the 1 sec. sniff
7. After 1 spin, Dog B at the back passes Dog A to the front. Walk around the circle again,
stopping at the points for a 1 sec sniff, and reinforcing calm behavior.
8. Handlers walk dogs together for 2-3 minutes.

Phase 3 (5 min)
This can be performed outdoors to form playgroups, or in an enclosed space (20 x 20) to form
kennel groups.

1. With dogs in close proximity, remove the head collars (if wearing). Handlers watch (calm,
silent and avoid abrupt movements) for any signs of aggression.
2. When dogs complete 5 minutes of interactions with no signs of aggression, they’re an official
“safe pair.”

Repeat the process to allow all dogs in the desired playgroup to be paired up. Supervise at the level
you deem necessary based on the behavior you observe in the group (constant supervision with
multiple handlers to occasional supervision by one handler).