The Underdogs project was started to help at-risk teens see dogs in a different light and to help train the dogs to become more adoptable!
The main focus of the project is to assist at-risk teenagers with overcoming social and emotional problems, and learning valuable life skills, through the training of shelter and rescue dogs; in turn teaching these dogs the skills to improve their chances of adoption.
Most children that grow up in townships are used to seeing dogs chained up or used in dog fighting so this project helps the youth to see dogs for their sweet natures and playful sides.
From positive reinforcement dog training to practical life skills advice, our classes aim to engage, motivate and inspire teenagers to reorient their lives and find their feet in the real world. And in doing this, our young teen trainers can help their shelter dog partners to learn the skills they need to find Forever Homes.
The project works with the dogs from the DARG animal rescue centre in Hout Bay, Western Cape. To find out more about the project check out their Facebook page here.
“Besides love and sympathy, animals exhibit other qualities connected with the social instincts which in us would be called moral.” ― Charles Darwin
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