Canine Behavior Center

In 2014 staff and volunteers began noticing a small percentage of the homeless dog population needing more specialized and customized behavior modification training. As Wayside Waifs continued to invest in, expand, and modify canine behavior programs like Peace Academy (PA) and Confidence College (CC), it became apparent that to truly support our PA and CC shelter dogs and their journey, they needed to be housed differently to lower their stress.

Through generous donor support, in January 2021 Wayside Waifs’ Canine Behavior Center (CBC) officially opened. It was built exclusively to meet the needs of shy, fearful, high-energy/low-impulse control shelter dogs at Wayside Waifs. At the time of opening, it was the second of its kind in the country. Funded 100% by private philanthropy, the CBC is a strategic initiative for Wayside as we work to create innovative and responsive programming to meet the needs of our changing homeless dog population.

The CBC consists of 21 indoor-outdoor kennel suites, the Delores Ball Indoor Training Area, Sophie’s Classroom, three real-life rooms, three large outdoor training and play yards, among other amenities. Serving approximately 110 homeless dogs annually, each dog has a custom behavior modification plan that is adjusted to meet the changing behavior needs of the dog. The building was designed to remove stimulus and create a safe, quiet, and controlled environment where dogs learn to trust again and master skills they need to transition into their adoptive home.

Most of the homeless dogs served through the CBC come from puppy mills, hoarding situations, and are found lost as stray animals. Length of stay for the CBC dogs ranges depending upon the behaviors but varies from a few weeks to more than a year.

The CBC does not provide services for owned pets.

If you would like to learn more about how to financially support the innovative Canine Behavior Center at Wayside Waifs, please contact Robin Rowland, VP of Donor Relations, at 816-986-4401 or send an email.

If you are interested in fostering or adopting a dog from the CBC, please email us.