Second Chance Dog Training Program

The Second Chance Dog Training Program is a part of Miami Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation's Bootcamp Program, in partnership with Miami based dog training company Applause Your Paws Inc and Miami Dade Animal Services.

Participants in this program primarily consist of young men between the ages of 16 and 18 who have been adjudicated as adults.

This dog training program was designed as a rehabilitation and re-entry program for juvenile offenders/ We believe in second chances for those who are two-legged as much as we believe in second chances for those who are four legged.

Once a week a professional dog trainer from Applause Your Paws holds class for the inmate trainers at the Bootcamp facility to coach the inmate trainers towards earning their AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificates. Each dog who enters the program is a behavior "offender" of some sort. Applause Your Paws selects the dogs directly from Miami Dade Animal Services, and purposefully selects dogs that otherwise may be overlooked as a result of their bad behavior, coat color, age and/or breed. By putting obedience and manners on each dog who enters the program, the dogs get a Second Chance at being adopted, loved, and staying in a forever home.

Miami Dade Animal Services provides all food and vet care for the dogs selected and ensures that post training they are transferred to the Petco adoption center in South Miami where they are made available for adoption.

It takes a village! But together we're truly blessed to be able to offer this program to the juvenile population of offenders who are working towards re-entering society on their second chance.