[Oberon]

I'm a web developer by trade and I have a good friend who is a vet. assistant and teaches puppy classes and loves training dogs. She's also young and cute. (This is all germaine, you'll see why in a second.)

I had an idea this morning to do a web-based "tv show" where we take dogs from the Humane Society, get them healthy, well groomed and trained, and then find an owner for them. We'd document the process on video and then would put the video online.

I have no question that we can carry out the plan. But I worry that finding someone to adopt the dogs we pick will be difficult. Is there any kind of country-wide (we're in the US) network that helps match up dogs to people who are looking to adopt? Or are there any nationwide adoption assistance programs that might have a chapter in my area?

Thanks in advance.

[cshellenberger]

I don't know if there are any nation wide all breed rescues, but you could work with your local all breed that does good screening. They would certainly appriciate the volunteers and the promotion.

[Achilles]

I think this is a wonderful idea! I know that shelters sometimes use www.petfinder.com when looking to place their pups in homes...hope that helps.

Either way, good luck!

[nrhareiner]

Why not try and see if you have an assistance dog program in your area. If so find out what type of dogs they look for and see if you can find one that may fit for them and work with them in training and placing a dog. A win win for everyone.
Even if the dog does not work for them they often have a network set up to find homes for drop out dogs.

Heidi

[lovemygreys]

Your best bet is going to be to work with a well known/recognized shelter or rescue group in your area. You can train the dog and the group can "market" the dog on their site and at meet-n-greets.


Also...by saying that your friend's "cuteness" is germaine really depends on who your audience is. Do you know what the demographics are for pets and, more importantly, how that breaks down to training and online resource use (I've found that a majority of members on message boards -i.e. seeking out e-help for about their dogs - are women). When it comes to dog training, I think youth is actually a strike. What I want in a dog trainer or behaviorist is EXPERIENCE....and that, my friend, comes with age.

Not entirely a bad idea...but I can tell you as a 32 year old woman and dog owner, if you put a 19 year old, fluffy girl in front of me and tell me she's got something I need to know about dogs and dog training...I'll be using my browser's back button. And being a vet assistant doesn't make her an authority of sorts..especially when it comes to dog training and behavior....go to vet school then you'll have my ear a little bit more.

[peace36]

I do not think the girls cuteness will matter in this case. Yes, I would rather watch a cool good looking guy or girl singing or dancing or if I wanted to do an aerobic video the instructor better be fit but for dog training I agree with what the other poster said it could actually be a strike that and her young age warns some people she does not have that much experience and maybe just got the job because she is hot.

The idea is awesome though! I think it could work.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by lovemygreys

Also...by saying that your friend's "cuteness" is germaine really depends on who your audience is. ... Not entirely a bad idea...but I can tell you as a 32 year old woman and dog owner, if you put a 19 year old, fluffy girl in front of me

Hmm, maybe *I* should be the one getting most of the camera time then...

She actually has some good experience in training dogs. She's young, yes, but has been doing it since she was 15 or so. But still, I'll reconsider what's best for my target market. Maybe I can get my 30-something-year-old lesbian sister (who also works with dogs) to do it instead she's in the Caesar Milan camp though, which if I understand correctly is sadly outdated.

Originally Posted by peace36

I would rather watch a cool good looking guy or girl singing or dancing ... but for dog training I agree with what the other poster said it could actually be a strike that and her young age warns some people she does not have that much experience and maybe just got the job because she is hot.

The idea is awesome though! I think it could work.

Well, it wouldn't actually be a training series. That is, the focus wouldn't be "this is how to train your dog". There are plenty of resources for that on the 'net. Primarily the point would be "Look at how sad this dog is. Poor dog Poof! It's X weeks later, look how awesome the same dog is now! Yay we found a home for him too!" Kind of an Extreme Pet Makeover.