New staff training
Welcome To Opportunity Barks!
Working in animal care is a lot of hard work, but it is also incredibly rewarding!
This program is your starting point: a solid foundation that sets you up for success from day one.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this training series, combined with hands-on experience with the dogs, you will be able to:
Recognize appropriate and inappropriate play
Identify common emotional states
Handle dogs safely and confidently
Navigate challenging situations like altercations and resource guarding
Provide professional, caring service to the pet parents who trust you with their dogs
The goal is to help you feel comfortable, capable, and confident every shift, so you can be a genuine asset to your team and to every dog in your care. Learning does not stop here, but this series gives you what you need to start strong.
The Foundation of Our Approach
Our approach to dog handling is rooted in positive reinforcement and force-free practices, and we believe in prioritizing both the physical and emotional well-being of every dog in our care. This philosophy is not just a preference, it reflects the most current, evidence-based understanding of how dogs learn and thrive!
What is Positive Reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement involves presenting a rewarding or desired stimulus immediately after a behavior occurs, increasing the likelihood that the dog will repeat that behavior in the future. When a dog sits on cue and receives a treat or praise, they learn that sitting leads to positive outcomes. Over time, this builds a pattern of willing, confident engagement rooted in trust rather than compliance driven by fear or pressure. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior endorses positive reinforcement as the most effective training method for achieving long-term behavioral results, minimized stress and anxiety, and increased attentiveness and engagement with handlers.