Behavior & Training Program
At San Diego Humane Society, we believe every animal deserves the chance to thrive — even those with the most complex behavior challenges
Our nationally recognized Behavior & Training program is one of the few of its kind in the country, and it’s saving lives every single day.
Many of the animals who enter this program arrive with deep fear, anxiety or stress. For them, our Behavior & Training program is a source of hope. Through this life-changing program, a dedicated team of experts across our four shelter campuses creates individualized rehabilitation plans and works patiently for weeks, months and sometimes even years to help them learn, trust and heal.
Because of this program, animals who once had nowhere else to turn are given a second chance to become adoptable, to find a family and to know love. It is a cornerstone of our commitment to Stay at Zero euthanasia of healthy or treatable shelter pets — and a shining example of what’s possible when compassion and nationally leading expertise come together.
About Our Behavior Center
The Behavior Center at our San Diego Campus is a cornerstone of our work. One of just a few centers of its kind in the country, this specialized facility enables us to save hundreds of animals each year who might otherwise be out of options.
The Behavior Center is a uniquely designed space that removes the noise, unpredictability and other barriers to rehabilitation found in a traditional shelter and replaces them with an environment that supports the intensive work these animals require. Here, our behavior team works intensively to address complex challenges such as anxiety, fear, resource guarding, overstimulation and other behavior issues.
Behavior Center Features
44 dog habitats, specifically designed with:
- Privacy and sound-proofing to reduce stimulation.
- Access directly into shaded outdoor play yards, allowing trainers to work with dogs in a safe environment when they are too shy or fearful to be leashed without extreme anxiety.
Cat housing for more than 30 cats in an isolated wing that provides separation from dogs to reduce stress and facilitate their individualized training plans. This cat housing provides unique features, including:
- Hiding places for shy and fearful cats.
- Use of primarily horizontal bars on habitats – research shows that cats naturally scan their surroundings horizontally, and that vertical bars interrupt this process and cause unnecessary stress.
- A community cat room with access to the outdoors for enrichment.
There is no other comprehensive animal behavior rehabilitation center like this in San Diego, making us the only hope for hundreds of our community’s most at-risk animals who would otherwise be unadoptable. What’s more, our center is one of just a few in the country, and we share our lifesaving practices with organizations nationwide.
Behavior & Training Resources
In addition to caring for animals across San Diego Humane Society’s shelters, the Behavior & Training Program provides community resources and support through public training classes and workshops, online training resources and access to our professional trainers. By giving people the tools and support necessary to resolve behavior challenges in the home, we help families keep the pets they love.
Adopter Tips: Cats & Kittens
When you bring a new pet home, it’s important to give them space, a safe environment and time to adjust to life as part of your family! While it’s exciting to have a new animal in your home and you might be eager to interact with them right away, remember that they’re adjusting to an unfamiliar place and new people.
Adopter Tips: Dogs & Puppies
When you bring a new pet home, it’s important to give them space, a safe environment and time to adjust to life as part of your family! While it’s exciting to have a new animal in your home and you might be eager to interact with them right away, remember that they’re adjusting to an unfamiliar place and new people.
Adopting a Cat: Things to Consider
There’s an incredible variety of cats who need homes, from 8-week-old kittens to seniors, from shy cats to attention seekers, and so much more. As you decide which cat(s) to add to your family, we recommend you consider the following factors.
Adopting a Dog: Getting Ready
Learn about the supplies you need and getting ready for adopting a dog.
Behavior & Training Videos
How Animals Learn
What is Positive Reinforcement?
Transitioning Shelter Pets
Introducing New Pets
Enrichment Resources
Can You Speak Dog or Cat?
How to Pick a Trainer 101
Separation Related Behaviors
