Working Dogs for Conservation proudly sources rescue, rehomed, and career-change dogs for our conservation team. We are not breed-specific, and instead look for certain qualities and traits that best fit active project needs. Below is the basic criteria for those seeking placement for a prospective conservation canine candidate.
RESOURCES FOR RESCUES & INITIAL SCREENING CRITERIA
OUR CURRENT PACK STATUS: OPEN (actively searching and ready to add dogs)
Adding to our pack is a serious and long-term commitment. We on-board new dogs on a staggered timeline to ensure we have the capacity and resources to dedicate to each new recruit. Even after a dog begins the onboarding process, we may determine they aren’t the right fit for conservation work. If that happens, we’re still committed to finding a placement that best supports that dog’s needs and well-being.
While all dogs are great, not all fit our needs or would do best in our program. If you have a dog you’re looking to place, please thoroughly review the content below. If they do not meet the initial broad screening criteria, we have provided additional resources at the bottom of the page.
Successful Conservation Dog Broad Screening Criteria - First Steps
Please review this section thoroughly and completely before reaching out. Potential candidates don’t need to pass every single requirement, but multiple fails or extreme cases will rule them out. Furthermore, the specific needs of our current and future project(s) will determine what we’re looking for at any one time. There is quite a bit of variation on what behaviors/characteristics are a good fit for each program.
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Candidates don’t need to pass all requirements, but multiple fails or extreme cases will rule them out
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Age
1-3 years (exceptions can be made)
Weight
30-65 pounds (this is primarily for travel and transport purposes)
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Unfortunately, due to the nature of our work and dogs already in our care, we cannot accept a dog with any of the following:
Bite history
Any aggressive bite directed at a human that resulted in broken skin, bruising, swelling, etc. Accidental play bites happen with high-drive dogs, and nips or bites as a result from toy play are not disqualifiers.
Reactivity
Aggressive reactivity to people or dogs like growling, snarling, aggressive barking, aggressive lunging, etc.
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety that results in emotional distress to the dog or self inflicted bodily harm/injury.
Brachycephalic
Due to the strenuous nature of this work, for safety reasons we cannot accept brachycephalic dogs.
Resource Guarding
Aggressive resource guarding tendencies towards humans and/or dogs. This applies to both food and toys.
Desire to chase or harm wildlife
Excessive desire to chase animals (large or small), or pose any threatening behavior toward wildlife or small prey-like animals.
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Neutral or Friendly to New People
Our work is often public-facing, including things like school demonstrations, boat checks, etc., while also requiring dogs to travel in public places, such as hotels, airports, public buildings. Therefore, we require dogs to be friendly and/or neutral when meeting new people.
Neutral or Friendly to Dogs
We understand that a big play group isn’t for every dog, but we do need our dogs to be friendly and/or neutral around other dogs. This includes being able to ride in a transport crate next to another dog, walk on leash past another dog, and stay focused on playing with a toy even when other dogs are nearby.
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Low Interest in Wildlife
We work outside around a variety of wildlife, both big and small, and it is essential that our dogs can focus on their work and not be distracted. Also, because we often work around threatened and endangered species, it is essential that our dogs do not chase animals.
Ability to Crate/ Travel in Vehicles
Both at home and on the road, it is important that these dogs are comfortable being crated. This includes rotating between crate time and free time, training or working time, as well as riding in a transport crate in a vehicle. Dogs should be neutral in crates for at least a short period of time, we will work on lengthening their crate stays if necessary through our program.
Good Nerve Strength
Ability and willingness to traverse difficult terrain, stay in hotels, walk through public areas, travel in different types of transportation, such as a car, boat, plane, etc., and be near traffic (on leash). Mild reactivity to novel environmental sounds, but with quick recovery and refocus on the task is okay.
Body Handling Tolerance
Comfortable having body touched, including near eyes, ears, paws, etc., being lifted/carried, wearing booties, wearing a muzzle, etc. This can be trained, but there should be no history of adverse reactions.
Part A: Physical & Behavioral Qualities
Part B: Toy Play Testing
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If possible, please record these tests for video submission.
Please video the start and 10 seconds after the end of the session. The engagement after the actual test gives us valuable information.
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If possible, perform these tests in an area that is novel to the dog.
Stay Safe! If at any time the dog becomes stressed or aggressive please stop the test - this process should be fun for you and the dog.
Preferably, use a well-fitted harness for the portions of this test that ask you to restrain the dog.
Take breaks between tests. This is a long process; each test can be done at separate times or even days if needed. Please finish each test in one session though. Keep water available for the dog and stop immediately if the dog is showing any signs of heat stress.
All tests can be performed off-leash or on a long line.
No prior training is required for these tests as we are looking for the dog's natural tendencies. There is no need for the dog to sit or demonstrate any impulse control for these tests.
We understand that many do not have secure outdoor areas to use, so be creative with your area. A shelter yard, indoor area, store, etc. can be used and typically still give us the information needed.
As a general rule, stay silent and out of the dog’s way until they have possession of the toy - then engage as much as you would like. You can use a second toy to get the dog back if needed, etc. (Exception is the Possession Test - wait one minute after possession to engage).
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Restrain the dog with a harness or leash and toss the dog’s favorite toy. A second person can be used if available to help throw the toy. The toy can be in sight. Wait for the toy to stop moving before releasing the dog. Remain silent until the dog possesses the toy – verbal praise or recall can be used to get the dog back once they have the toy.
Repeat 9 more times.
(Please do this in one session, provide water for the dog if needed and stop the test if the dog is showing signs of heat stress.)
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We want the dog to independently hunt for the toy. We are not concerned about how fast the dog finds the toy.
Hold or restrain the dog while you or another person tosses the toy into a location that it is difficult to find. If you don’t have access to tall grass, forested area, or something similar, you can still improvise. Pretend to hide the toy in different spots, have a second person toss it from farther away, or throw the toy and then briefly move the dog behind an object so you can pick it up and “hide” it again. Get creative with what your environment allows.
Release the dog without saying anything and remain silent and stationary until the dog has found a toy or searched for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, you can help the dog look for the toy if needed.
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Restrain the dog with a harness and leash, then toss the toy. The toy can be in sight. Continue to quietly restrain the dog for 1 minute. After 1 minute simply release the dog without saying anything and allow the dog to access the toy. After the dog has the toy feel free to interact and reward them.
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During any of the above tests, after the dog has found the toy, stay silent and ignore the dog while they possess the toy for 1 minute. Do not reach for the toy, talk to the dog, or engage with the dog in any way.
Learn more about each of these toy tests through these videos, with additional examples of these tests available here.
Seem Like a Potential Fit as a Conservation Canine?
Has the dog you’re seeking placement for passed these initial Part A & B screening steps? Great! If we are not at full pack capacity and currently seeking new dogs, we’d like to learn more! Please reach out to us at info@wd4c.org
Other Placement Resources
If we’re at full pack capacity and/or if the dog you’re seeking placement for has not met these initial Part A & B criteria, don’t give up hope! It’s still very possible they have great potential with a program outside of WD4C. We recommend these resources:
National Disaster Search Dog Foundation
There are also numerous Facebook pages dedicated to the placement of dogs like this including: Adoptable Sport and Working Dogs, Adoptable Sport and Performance Dogs, and Adoptable Bro Dogs.
