Nikeno's Second Chances started as a response to the unfulfilled need for professional assistance during the dog adoption process. While numerous people are willing to adopt shelter animals - many times the combination of untrained dogs and unknowledgeable owners leads to returned or unwanted pets. The dogs in our program come with an additional four weeks of integration training after adoption. Integration training is one-on-one training with you, your new pet and a trainer. At Nikeno's Second Chances, we believe the key to successful placement is proper training. By giving the dogs structured training before, during and after home placement - their chances of success more than quadruples.
News
Trinity is a dog that has a whole team of angels watching out for her. She was found as a stray in Nebraska after a trap had taken the lower third of her leg. She also had a bacterial infection, round worms, hook worms, tape worms, giardia, anemia and was emaciated. A nice family in Nebraska was feeding her when she showed up at their backdoor, but she needed some intensive vet care that was beyond a good samaritan budget. Multiple people, organizations and rescuers were involved in catching her (she is extremely skittish) and getting her transported to NSC. Our vet is planning on amputating the leg a bit more to clean up the bone and prevent her from reopening the wound again and again. We are currently putting together a regiment that involves bringing her back to health while working on her socialization and training. That way when she is ready for adoption, she will be the kind of miracle dog that we all remember. Her vet bills will be heavy, so if you'd like to make a donation, please just specify that it is to be used for "medical funds" and we will make sure it goes where it is most needed. Thank you to all that were involved - and please check back for status updates on our special Trinity.
Upcoming Events
We have many upcoming adoption events starting as early as February (see partial schedule below). As always, we would love to see you there; please stop by our booth and say hello. Would you like to help out at one of these events? If so, please contact Ginger.
The dogs in our program are altered before being placed. They are microchipped, vaccinated and come with an additional four weeks of integration training after adoption. TThe adoption fee for our animals is $205 for dogs over 8 years of age, $225 for dogs over 6-months but less than 8 years and $250 for puppies 6-months or younger; kittens are $85 20-weeks or younger and cats are $75. This is to cover medical care, food and housing while we have the animal, as well as the training that sets our organization apart. To start the adopoption process, you will need to fill out an adoption application. To receive a copy of our adoption application you may download it from our website at
www.NikenosSecondChances.com, call us at 720-514-2537 or e-mail us at ginger@nikenossecondchances.com.
Our Training Program
The training process begins with our professional trainers evaluating the animal. We gather as much information on the dog by observation, interviews with past owners/shelter staff, and by trying out a few behavioral commands. Next we work out a strategy to achieve main objectives for each canine: overcoming separation anxiety, discouraging dog aggression, basic manners, etc. Each plan of action includes determining where the dog would best be served as far as living situation. If foster families are available (and are thought to be appropriate) we will arrange for them to work on their behavior while in a home environment. Some dogs need the consistency of living at the training facility to overcome initial problem behavior.
Those animals that live at the facility receive thorough behavioral modification from the trainers and from volunteers during their everyday care. Dogs learn to walk on a leash properly, to submit to human intervention, to refrain from problem behavior (such as jumping), and know the basics like ‘come’, ‘sit’, and ‘down’. Animals that have separation anxiety or aggression are given more professional attention to help with these behaviors. When possible, our dogs are exposed to small animals and children to determine if they would be suitable for living in such an environment. They are also evaluated for their reactions to other dogs, both as living companions and in public situations.
When the dogs are placed in a foster home, the trainers work with the foster parents to establish a training regiment that best suites each dog. Some come to training classes; others have behavioral modification at home. Foster parents are instructed on the proper way to handle dogs as well as training methods to use at home to sustain consistency.
When an animal gets adopted there is an additional 4 weeks of training with the new owner. This is done with a professional trainer that is familiar with the dog in question. Our one-on-one sessions help the new owner understand the expected behavior of each dog as well as their specific needs. They learn to stop problems before they start, and how to control the dog in a way that the dog understands. Our program provides a better understanding of how to live with a pet and keep them obedient. The individual sessions help educate the owners and dogs alike while addressing the needs of both.
Come Visit Us!
Keep up-to-date on dogs we have available for adoption by checking back here or at our website often. If you would like to meet a dog, please call to schedule an appointment.
Nikenos Second Chances PO Box 1505
Wheat Ridge, CO 80034
Phone: 720-514-2543
www.nikenossecondchances.com
