Pinellas County Animal Services continues to improve life for its shelter animals.

Animal Services' new training program ensures the volunteer dog walkers use the same techniques. Training helps the dogs get and stay adopted.

"Everyone wants a calm dog. The dog learns something good will happen with good manners," said dog trainer Terry Meeks.

The new training program provides consistency for the dogs at the shelter.

"Dogs learn more rapidly when trained using a consistent method," said Dr. Caroline Thomas, Director of Veterinary Services.

"I am excited about our new behavior program at the shelter," Thomas said.

Volunteers from the SPCA Tampa Bay and Four on the Floor Dog Training covered the basics of sitting, jumping, walking on a leash, pulling on the leash, and more with volunteers from Pinellas County Animal Services. The training will continue on a regular basis, Meeks said.

The training is "very much needed for our shelter babies. So many of them come in with little or no type of training, this will help them stay in their forever home," said Animal Services volunteer Eve Waart.

Want to help? Animal Services always needs volunteer dog walkers.

Need help training your dog?

• Animal Services offers tips and a monthly class.
• The SPCA Tampa Bay has a behavior help line at (727) 586-3591 ext. 133 and a variety of classes.