Saving Dogs. Saving Ourselves.

F.I.D.O. is a program at Geiger Corrections Center in Spokane County. Abandoned shelter dogs are placed with female Federal Inmates housed at Geiger Corrections Center for eight to twelve weeks of training. The dogs are carefully screened by professional dog trainers before entering the program and are taught basic manners, including house training, crate training, loose leash walking, sit/down/stand, stay, leave-it, wait at the door, and a various assortment of tricks. Dogs are taught to respond to both hand signals and voice commands. Dogs are available for adoption upon completion of the program. Some of the dogs will earn their Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) certificate while in the program and some can go on to obtain their CGC certificate with their new families. 

F.I.D.O. focuses on positive reinforcement training techniques, including clicker training. Professional dog trainers working with the program educate the handlers in the following areas:  Training, handling, behavior, body language and learning theory.  The handlers are also required to study various topics and give presentations to the group. Topics include, operant and classical conditioning, punishment vs. reinforcement, resource guarding, children and dogs, learning theory and any other creative topics dreamed up by the professional trainers (The presentations are always thorough, informative and often entertaining!)

When the dogs first enter the program, they are usually a little "shell shocked" from their shelter experience. Most F.I.D.O. dogs are nearly out of time at the shelter and scheduled for euthanasia. Some of the dogs simply need a little extra attention before going to their forever homes either because they are overwhelmed by stress, or because they need time to build their physical stamina. Most of the dogs need care and medication for kennel cough. Some have ear infections. Many are underweight. All of the dogs are spayed and/or neutered between leaving the shelter and entering the program, so they also need time to recover from these surgeries.

By the time the dogs are ready for their forever home, all of their health issues have been attended to. Each dog will go home with a long list of what the dog knows and all of his idiosyncrasies, such as what games he likes to play, what motivates him for training, how much food he is eating, if he is shy or fearful of anything in particular, areas where he still needs some work, etc.