About Arlington Humane Society

Training to keep dogs in their homes

The Arlington Humane Society is a volunteer-run, privately funded society in Arlington, founded in 1984 by veterinarians, kennel owners and dog trainers on the principle of "Retention, Not Surrender." Its aim is to help owners keep their pets, and obedience training classes and problem behavior resolution programs are at the center of that work. It notes that obedience issues are the reason half the pets in shelters are there.

Training philosophy

The society teaches that there are no short cuts to properly training a dog, and warns owners against trainers who promise to train a dog in a week or two. Dogs in its adoption program are in training and are only placed once the society feels they are ready.

Other programs

It also runs low-cost vaccination clinics twice weekly, a low-cost spay and neuter program, a lost and found dog system, adoptions and community education, including dog training classes for the Arlington 4-H Club.

What to ask

Ask when obedience classes run, where they meet, which levels are offered and what they cost.