SDBTR was so knowledgeable and was really able to pass that along to my partner and I in such a short amount of time. Speaking of time. The amount of effort SDBTR spent writing things up and making sure we had everything we needed to succeed was above and beyond what I expected. They were very welcoming and flexible with our busy lives and 10/10 would recommend over a group dog training class.
This organization has done so much to help us with our dogs. They offered us so much support ad resources that were based on science and kindness. It was so nice to be able to help our dogs in ways that felt good and right, as we have been steered wrong before and accidentally harmed our dogs in the process. Their attention to the relationship has really changed everything for us.
They give the same level of care to their rescue dogs, we have met several and they are so different than most dogs that are called “rescues” these dogs were indistinguishable from their own dogs, they were so well mannered and looked so healthy, yet were available for adoption.
We highly recommend Safe Dogs By The River to anyone seeking real help and support for their dogs.
This org is fantastic! They give *qualified* information to help people with their dogs, and they also offer other invaluable services to benefit people and their beloved dogs.
SDBR is an organization that represents the highest level of understanding and compassion for all canines. The ethics, experience, commitment and integrity they bring to dogs and those humans that care for them is the pinnacle of services available. A deep, educated, and thorough understanding of what a dog is and how they learn, feel and perform can be counted on from anyone who interacts with SDBR. The perspectives and information they hold and share are reflexive of not only the most current science but even assimilated in to what I believe the general understanding of how to interact with a dog will be in years to come. Anyone lucky enough to be in the wake of the services they offer can rest assure that they are getting the very best council, the most current understandings and an unmatched level of compassion.
Safe Dogs By the River is a fabulous rescue who operates in an out-of-the-box fashion. They work on a small scale, prioritize the dogs' wellbeing, and take into account that every dog is different and makes progress at their own pace. Their ability to help dogs in remote locations and provide them the support they need is extraordinary.
Chelsea with SDBTR helped Macy Grey (2 year old husky) and myself with training and lifestyle tools. My husky was seriously bossing me around, very impatient and demanding. After some training sessions, I was able to identify how badly my pup was needing connection, consistency, trust and a proper setting for success. Since working with SDBTR I am better able to translate my dog's behaviors and address her needs sooner. I also transitioned Macy Grey to a nutritionally superior, high protein diet as was recommended by our veterinarian and Chelsea and she lost excess weight. I recommend Safe Dogs by the River for your dog training and resources. The help I received was affordable and super beneficial!
Safe Dogs By The River is an organization that truly cares about the well-being of our furry friends. Their mission to facilitate positive relationships with companion animals through education, demonstration, support, and example is evident in everything they do.
What sets Safe Dogs By The River apart is their belief that all companion animals deserve to be treated with respect, affection, and dignity. They understand that animals do not automatically know how to live in our world and that their natural behaviors can often lead to neglect or abandonment. That's why they are dedicated to educating people on how to teach their pets the skills they need to live happily in our homes.
The team at Safe Dogs By The River is passionate about breaking through the language barrier between humans and animals. They offer positive tools and support to help dogs be happy and healthy. Their focus on building a relationship of mutual trust, love, and respect between owners and their pets is truly inspiring.
Overall, I highly recommend Safe Dogs By The River to anyone who wants to improve their relationship with their furry friend. Their dedication to animal welfare and education is truly admirable, and I am grateful for the work they do in our community.
This rescue is my absolute favourite one, as the lady who runs it is extremely knowledgeable about dog behaviour and ethical. Unlike many other rescues I have interacted with, when she takes in a rescue case, she cares for the welfare and happiness of the dog not only when they’re in her care but also beyond adoption. Another thing I noticed about her is that she is continually looking to expand her knowledge, is extremely interested in the latest methods, latest ethical approaches and it seems so natural when she works with dogs. She’s also very personable and she makes her to listen to all the concerns or possible adopters and dog parents to make sure they follow her behaviour plans and advice. If you’re looking to give a new life to a dog, I can’t recommend this rescue enough.
The director of SDBTR was very kind & resourceful in helping me find a caring way to put my pup to rest. Her resources are not just anyone close by, but individuals that show their hearts when working with pets and owners as she does.
Previous Stories
Safe Dogs has been educating me with how to feed my senior dog healthy foods. They're very supportive and understanding that not all dogs and not all situations are the same. The resources I have received through Safe Dogs are things I will continue to use. I am truly grateful for the work they put into helping our pets and hope to help them in continuing this work. I recommend Safe Dogs to my friend who have pets or are looking for pets, because there are no other organizations that do what Safe Dogs does.
Safe Dogs by The River is a wonderful organization that cares deeply about our furry friends. The owner seeks to understand all animals and to find the best in them.
Safe Dogs By the River provides timely, accurate and practical information about working with dogs and the ongoing struggle of dog rescue. They also have huge hearts for the critters and the humans they love
Chelsea and her team gave us very insightful training on our very reactive dog. With her guidance and our persistence we were able to correct this behavior and we couldn't be happier with how it all went!
I've known and associated with this organization for about nine years. They are an amazing resource for quality information and advice about all things dog (and cat): behavior, nutrition, training, they cover it all with a bottomless depth of knowledge. They helped me re-home my dog in 2013 and he' continues to live a happy life because Safe Dogs By The River went the extra mile to find him the right home. Over the years I have gone from client to volunteer to board member with this organization. Thy are the best.
Previous Stories
I just wanted to post a message of gratitude to Safe Dogs By the River for the help and support they provided when I had to adopt out my dog 2Spot, a 4 ½ year old Black Lab.
2Spot and I lived on Mount Hood. I raised him from a pup and he was a Mountain dog, that is, he was free to come and go. I usually left the door open so he could go out when he wanted to. In Rhododendron where we lived there was no traffic and few neighbors. 2Spot loved staying with me, so I never worried about him wandering off.
Then we moved to Portland and everything changed. Now I had to walk 2Spot on a lead, and his movements were quite restricted compared to what he had known on the Mountain. Eventually it became too much for me, the long daily walks and dog park visits to meet 2Spot’s energy and exercise needs. I was a bit overwhelmed, 2Spot was not happy, and I was about to move to a communal household where 2Spot would not be welcome, so I made the very difficult decision that it was time to find him a new home.
With the help of Chelsea and Safe Dogs By the River, we quickly found 2Spot a new home with a loving family. It was ideal, and I can’t thank Safe Dogs enough for their assistance not only in finding a new home for 2Spot but for making sure it was the right home, for the dog as well as the family. Chelsea interviewed the family, assessed the home and attitude of everyone who would be living with 2Spot, and had a few “meet and greet” sessions. After thorough discussions with me, I consented and agreed that this was the best outcome for all involved.
Although it was painful to give up my best friend, I was and am comforted knowing that the adoption was absolutely the best outcome for 2Spot. He now lives happily with his new family in Southeast Portland, and has formed a bond with a young boy in the family who has the energy and enthusiasm a healthy young Lab requires.
Thanks again to Safe Dogs By the River for making what could have been a difficult situation a joyful process and ideal outcome for all involved.
I recommend this organization to anyone requiring dog services, for their astounding breadth and depth of knowledge, from animal behavior to dog body language, force-free training, animal nutrition, adoption, advice and education, and just about anything relating to dogs, they are exceptional and without peers.
Safe Dogs by the River is a wonderful organization. This organization goes above and beyond being an animal rescue. Safe Dogs By the River advocates for animal welfare, raises the public’s awareness of issues facing animals and their owners/caretakers and provides educational resources to assist in providing excellent care and safety to the public and the animals in our care.
Safe dogs is a great organization that can give you help with your dogs on all levels; be it training, diet and wellness and any other care. They have been a great resource!!
Safe Dogs By The River helped train my dogs for me. Both were rescues and had many behavioral problems. I learned so much about dogs through them and how to properly train them.
They amazing things for the community and our furry friends!
Previous Stories
When I adopted Jack from the pound, he was so afraid of humans he would cower in the corner if anyone other than myself was near. I was struggling to correct his behavioral issues (chewing my belongings, bathroom accidents, nervous barking and nipping at strangers). He was out of control, scared and dangerous. Safe Dogs By The River helped educate me on Jack's needs and taught me how to crate train him and help him overcome his fears.
A year later, Jack was diagnosed with a rare fungal disease that left him covered in painful blisters. The medication for treatment of this disease was very expensive but without it he would die. Safe Dogs By The River came to the rescue once again by providing the needed medication for a much lower cost. She also educated me on how to change his diet to help give his body the best chance to fight the disease.
Jack is now 16 years old, happy, well adjusted, well behaved and healthy! We are so grateful to Safe Dogs By The River for helping Jack live his best life!
*Photos show Jack as a scared newly adopted young dog, Jack during his life threatening illness, Jack as a healthy old man with his companions.
Safe dogs does so much for animals they bend over backwards . They educate they support and genuinely have the best interest for the animals.i love safe dogs by the river
Safe Dogs By the River is an amazing nonprofit! They have helped me tremendously with my pets throughout the years. I appreciate the thoughtful guidance they share with the community, making myself and others better pet parents.
Oh my gosh, where to begin! Need help with nutrition? Training? Behavior? What about finding a home for your companion? Adopting a companion? Been in a disaster? Yeah, these guys have experience with all of that and more. They have been doing this for two decades; where experience and education meets compassion and empathy to create an organization that puts the needs of animals (and humans) first and foremost, with the professional knowledge and wisdom to meet the needs of those in their care.
You won't see sensationalized sad stories, they are very low key that way. Quietly helping people and pets without fanfare (although they could use some fanfare I think!). Meeting the needs of other species can be slow and time consuming, it doesn't make for catchy headlines or videos, so sometimes these guys fall below the radar, but make no mistake, they are very worthy of your support.
Their Director is disabled, and formerly homeless, which makes her uniquely able to help those that are invisible in our communities, those that most forgot or ignore. Her story is so amazing, she started working with dogs because she was very badly mauled as a teenager by a group of dogs (her scars are still very visible even after many decades), and she desperately wanted to prevent that from happening to anyone, both the neglected dogs and the mauling itself. She has overcome so much to be able to offer services to the community, I am truly humbled at how she has taken so much tragedy in her life and turned that into something that helps others.
I got to know Safe Dogs By The River when they were collaborating with another non profit that was offering vet services to low income people, Safe Dogs not only helped them with their Mission, but also provided behavior services to the very same clients, for a truly one stop support system for pets.
They make the trip down to their beloved New Orleans when they are able during hurricane season to help those in need, as disasters are no stranger to the region.
In their home base local community, they work with small businesses, other no profits, and direct to need clients & critters, especially during this unprecedented time. So many people are losing their homes, they are trying to help them keep their pets through this terrible outcome. Trauma is high and community support is low, Safe Dogs is trying to bridge that gap as best as they are able.
These guys are the real deal, they don't just talk the talk, they walk the walk. Kindness, compassion, education, experience ... all the things that need to be valued in our community are right here. Please don't pass them by.
Safe Dogs By The River allowed us to not only keep our beloved dog, but later they gave us our next amazing fur family member.
When we contacted Safe Dogs many moons ago, we were really having problems with our dog. Our landlord was angry that a maintenance person got nipped (when corning our dog that we learned was begging for distance). It wasn't our dog's fault, but we were about to lose our home and our dog.
Safe Dogs did an extensive consultation, made sure our landlord was involved and helped us all to understand how we can keep our boy Snoopy (the Beagle) safe so he doesn't get so scared he has to bite. We were able to keep our home, our dog and it really helped our relationship with our landlord too.
After we lost Snoopy (to old age), we contacted Safe Dogs and they gave us our amazing, and very different dog Wookie. Wookie is so sweet, so friendly, he is a big mushball. He was so easy to train, and despite being pretty big, no one is afraid of him and he is not afraid of anyone.
Thank you so much Safe Dogs By The River, we can never repay what you have done for us.
Safe Dogs by the River has a wealth of information on positive training techniques available for free download. This alone has proved a great resource, but I have also had the pleasure of direct consultation and training sessions with the owner who has proven a great help with aggressive behavior manifesting in my 105 lbs. mastiff after a series of unprovoked attacks at the local dog park.
As a large and muscular breed, any unfounded aggressive tendencies are a major concern and I was hard pressed for new ideas on how to reach my troubled girl.
This charity is a lifeline to those who wish to employ the latest and most humane training techniques for their canine family members.
I highly recommend the charity and it's founder.
I met the owner of Safe Dogs by the River back in 2008.I was in desperate need of medical help with a few of my dogs and training tips. Chelsea didn’t hesitate to help. With her vast knowledge of health,behavior, and nutrition, my dogs were put on the right track to better health and behavior.She also learned that where I live, it is a prime area for dogs to be abandoned and they usually ended up with me. Chelsea got right to work helping to provide vetting, Spay’s, neutering and helping find wonderful forever homes for those in need.
Chelsea showed me the ropes in animal rescue and with her help and advice I started my own rescue 15 yrs ago. Without her help it would never have been possible.
Chelsea and Safe Dogs by The River is a great resource to all who need her. I can’t say enough for all she has done for our furry friends!!
Safe Dogs has helped me with my dogs since I first met Chelsea back in 2014. Her depth of knowledge and experience with dogs of all breeds and dispositions never ceases to amaze me. She truly loves what she does and is selfless in her desire to share her wealth of information and experience with those in need. She is a willing and eager ambassador for the latest and best in animal care. Time and time again I have seen her in dog parks offering her knowledge and experience in a non judgmental, non threatening way to dog owners for the betterment of both dog and owner. With rare exception her offer is gratefully accepted. By this practice alone, along with her attention to her clients, Chelsea has made Safe Dogs By The River an incredible resource for pet owners and the champion and advocate for their pets.
These guys asked us to share our story with y'all and we are more than happy to do that after all the help and support they have given us. It's really the least we could do.
We first met these folks during a evacuation drill in New Orleans, they were volunteering for another non profit that manages hurricane evacuations. These guys helped people that had pets to navigate the complicated and confusing system that happens when there is a hurricane in these parts. We know they come down here specifically to help with Hurricane Season most years.
They noticed our pets could use a little help, one with training and the other with a terrible skin condition that made her stinky and ugly (we loved her anyway) and they were all overweight.
They gave us some books and videos, and came to our house to help us with training our dogs. Some simple changes had big effects. We learned how to understand what our pets were feeling, and what to do when they needed something. We learned how to teach them manners and they began to get along better pretty fast. We even got our dog to stop jumping!!
They gave us some free food, some pills & oils for our stinky girl and she got so much better. Our vet could not believe his eyes. They taught us about how to better feed our pets and now they are healthier and look much better.
Thank you so very much and we hope you like our review, we didn't really know what to write.
I am a SDBTR Volunteer and I have been with them for a little over a year.
I have been so impressed with the efforts to help people and dogs this organization goes to. Serving our most marginalized communities can sometimes be scary, but the founder is fearless and helps her volunteers to understand we are all just people, and that bad circumstances are not the same as being bad people, or bad dogs.
Whether it's training advice or helping to deliver food or bandaging up small injuries, this organization is there for people and their pets.
With their mobile model, they were able to help a lot more, but their outreach vehicle was no longer able to do the work so they are looking for help in getting a new one so they can get back on the road and rescue dogs and help people with their pets in the places they are at.
I have learned so much about dogs and compassion volunteering for SDBTR! I don't understand how they are not much bigger, they need to be, we need more of this kind of organization in our world.
Safe Dogs By The River asked us to give them a review so here we are. We are homeless and were having a lot of trouble with our dog, she was aggressive to people and other dogs and we were getting in trouble with her. We love her so much that we didn't know what to do.
Our social worker connected us with Safe Dogs By The River and they helped us to know that our dog was afraid, and what we were doing to correct her wasn't really helping. They showed us a new way of training her and it helped so much. We don't yell at her any more and even though she still doesn't like most other dogs, she can walk by them without freaking out, which is a huge thing. As long as people don't come up to her fast or try to hug her, she can even be petted by people that are calm and nice.
Safe Doigs By The River probably saved our dogs life. Thank you so much for everything.
I met Safe Dogs By The River at a park when I was having trouble with my dog and they approached me with some great advice. They also gave us a lot of resources, for free! They said their goal was to become obsolete because there would be no more animals to rescue or train out of bad behaviors.
Safe Dogs By The River helped us so much with our dog, we are forever grateful we were at the right place at the right time to meet them.
I have known Chelsea for twenty plus years. The words that come to mind are passionate, knowledgeable, and committed. When my fiancé and I decided to adopt two feral, junior cats we were somewhat trepidatious and reached out to Safe Dogs for help. I was blown away by not only Chelsea’s willingness to help but by her knowledge about animals that weren’t even directly part of her mission. Her knowledge and resources have been invaluable in helping get these two situated. They will be much better off for all the help. Specifically she was able to advise us about their diet, encouraging a raw, vegetable free diet as cats are obligate carnivores. Also, she gave us tips to make them feel more secure, develop confidence, and acclimate to their new forever home. I cannot speak highly enough about Chelsea and SDBTR. She is in an asset to all animals whether they bark or purr.
Review from Guidestar
While going thru some hard times Chelsea offered to let me stay at her place till I could get back on my feet. During that time I saw first hand her stedfast dedication to dogs . She gave me some business cards to distribute when I came across a homeless person with a dog. They would call the number and arrange to have quality dog food delivered to them. She would also give the dog a quick check up to see if it had anything wrong. Always carrying ointments and such, she patched up quite a few four legged indigents over the years. Chelsea also opened up her home to dogs with behavioral issues. Our lives where often turned upside down but by the end in most occasions the bad behaviors or fears were mitigated. She's the real deal folks!
I only wish there were more organizations just like this one. They take their education seriously and finding the RIGHT homes even more so. So thankful for them.
Safe dogs by the river is amazing and has helped me over the years with a few of my dogs.They are very educational and have many resources.I seriously dont know whered id be without the help from these wonderful people who run this very helpful non profit organization.They do the work that needs to be done,they do it right and they know what they are doing.Thank you safe dogs for doing what you do best!
Safe Dogs taught me everything I know and understand about what our relationship with dogs should be, both in care and in perspective. That we ask so much from dogs as pets, and often do not give back as much as we should in return. But dogs will be a direct reflection of the care and time we give them.
From fostering dogs, to playful education, to helping senior ones in pain, Safe Dogs changed my entire outlook and action when it comes to our best canine friends. ❤
Safe Dogs is an amazing resource for the community at large, offering information and techniques based on the latest behavioral studies. Their director Chelsea has always gone above and beyond in her advocacy and integrity. I am proud of the work they do. Safe Dogs is worthy of community support. Thank you Safe Dogs!
I've known Chelsea and Safe Dogs by the Rivers for over 20 years and can say I've never met a more educated, respected, honest, ethical and loving non-profit in that time. Safe Dogs see's the big picture, from sheltering, behavior, nutrition to education. They're an exceptional Organization.
These folks are the real deal. They help dogs and cats in rural areas where there are few resources. Chelsea, started the organization, has the most in-depth knowledge of canine behavior of any trainer or animal behaviorist I’ve encountered. And she’s generous with that knowledge. Was available at any hour to help deal with small issues become they became real problems. I can’t say enough about how much this organization has helped me (and plenty of others).
Safe Dogs by the River is a fabulous community resource. They are always so generous with helpful & educational information! I never hesitate to reach out when faced with an animal challenge. I appreciate the diligent, well researched, & ethically sound services they provide to as many as possible.
Safe Dogs By The River is an exceptional rescue organization. They recognize the fact that in order to help animals you have to help the people. Safe Dogs By the River does this by providing support and education to people who want to keep their dogs but may be struggling with finances, health care, and behavior issues and assist those who want to adopt a future family member. Please donate to help this worthwhile organization continue to assist people and dogs in forming and maintaining the human-animal bond.
