IT'S ALL ABOUT SAVING LIVES
What is the Givens Hall PAWS Program?
Paroling Animals With Skills (PAWS) is a dog training program located at Idaho Correctional Institution- Orofino (ICIO). Givens Hall is the minimum-security section of ICIO and home to the Givens Hall PAWS Program. Members of this program are screened and interviewed before being accepted into the program and must complete 40 hours of apprenticeship dog training. Givens Hall PAWS and BBBR have developed a partnership where we are training bully breeds for an (8) week training cycle. Each dog will be assigned to a primary and secondary trainer, this training team will provide at a minimum 140 hours of training. During this training the dogs will receive basic obedience and social skills that will lead to a drastic change in behavior. At the end of the (8) week training cycle the dogs will return to the BBBR facility where they will be available for adoption.
CURRENT PAWS DOGS
NOW ACCEPTING
PRE-ADOPTION APPLICATIONS
GET THEM IN EARLY TO MEET THE DOGS UPON RETURN!
Get your applications in EARLY!
GRADUATES RETURN WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2ND
You’ve asked us HOW you can help support our PAWS dogs and their trainers! Here is it!
Every 9 weeks BBBR sends a new round of dogs to PAWS! PAWS is the Orofino Prison training program, location ICIO, where each rescue dog is assigned a team of trainers for 8 weeks of training, companionship and CGC certification!
We have put together a PAWS Amazon Wish List of items that are needed for this awesome program. Whether it is training gear, health related or just plain fun items, BBBR, the rescue dogs, and their handlers appreciate your generosity and support!
All items ship directly to the PAWS program administrators located at ICIO.
Weekly Video
PIANO IS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
12/10//25: Arrived at the Givens Hall PAWS Program in Orofino.
WEEKLY PROMPT: WEEK 4
Piano has been doing great this week. We have spent a lot of time since he has arrived really trying to get him to understand boundaries. Piano has very little exposure with appropriate boundaries with people, he likes to jump up on them, chase them, and although he is really trying to play – it is unacceptable. So we have spent a lot of time working through having him respect people and their boundaries. There are times that he still will jump up, but for the most part he has quit jumping on people and has learned what is acceptable for his interaction with people.
This week has been spent mostly on continuing his obedience commands and working on him paying attention to the handler rather than the outside world. Piano has a hard time with this because he is very independent and wants to explore. We know this so we use this as a reward for him. We expose him to certain environments and things that can cause him to be interested, but ask him to stay with us until we say that it is okay to go see it. We started with small things like people entering the room, when he waits and looks to us, we release him to go say hi. We have progressed to more challenging situations as time has gone by, but we are seeing great success with him. It has been challenging, and Piano’s nature will take a long time and work to get him to the point that he obeys in each situation but we are spending a lot of time on it.
Knowing this is our goal for Piano, the respect for the handler, we add this training goal to all situations like going potty, eating out of a bowl, getting water, saying hi to people and other dogs, play, entering new rooms and environments, it really is endless. The goal remains the same though, that is to get Piano to understand that he needs to seek permission before he goes off on his own. This type of structure has been life-changing for Piano and we believe that it is exactly what he needed before he came here.
Visit the PAWS Facebook page!
FOR MORE INFO ON PIANO? CLICK HERE.
Weekly Video
NINA IS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
12/10/25: Arrived at the Givens Hall PAWS Program in Orofino.
Rate Your Dogs Week: 9
Rate Your Week: 9
While Nina has not been tested with children, I believe that her patience with puppies just might give us a glimpse of how she would behave with them; she is patient and shows no sign of aggression, however she is very excitable when greeting her people when coming out of her crate. This “whirlwind of body twisting and tail slapping” might be a little too much for wee ones. She does very well in her crate and has only whined a few times, which was to give notice that she needed to go potty. Nina is sensitive to voice change, simply lowering your voice is the only correction she needs. She can be stubborn from time to time; but we have created a habit of compliance where she has learned that the quickest way to the reward is to comply. Sometimes weeks 3-4 can require stepping back before again moving forward, and Nina has not been the exception to this; whether by virtue of the repetitions of training (boredom), or working with apprentices (seeing what she might get away with),but we simply return to foundation.
This week’s objectives for Nina were:
1.) CGC – Recap and Generalization. She has shown good work through her commands with the apprentices. Her consistency shows her commands have been generalized.
2.) Appearance and grooming – Nina likes being brushed and her bathing went remarkably better this time around. Her nails have been worn down by the concrete training area, but I did have to trim her dew claws today, which she did not seem to mind, as she was rewarded and the experience was made pleasant. Nina is not fond of her tail being touched. Other than that she stands and allows for inspection of teeth, eyes, ears, back, and paws.
3.) Reaction to Distraction – (proofing) new areas, people, and dogs are covered in this week’s video. New areas outside the fence, greeting a group of office ladies, and sitting off lead on the picnic table in a “sit-stay and “down-stay “command while dogs play in the background.
Something comical is to watch Nina play with a squeaky toy, she’ll make squeak in rapid succession, shake it with her head and throw it in the air, sometimes even catching her own throw.
For all of weekly progress reports please check back here or visit the PAWS Facebook page!
FOR MORE INFO ON NINA? CLICK HERE.
Weekly Video
CEASAR IS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
12/10/25: Arrived at the Givens Hall PAWS Program in Orofino.
WEEKLY SUMMARY (FOUR)
Caesar
Week four has had some success. We have managed to correct and maintain proper downs from both a heel and distance. Pushing the distance and time has had some challenges, especially with distractions and friendly faces. He is a lover and a licker for sure. Seriously, this dog licks brick walls. Always only one good lick, then back to whatever we were doing.
Caesars’ duration has gone up but improvements are still slow. Some situations consist of having his full attention and as if a bird flew by (even indoors) he starts starring off. Sometimes due to boredom as we are trying to keep our energy low. Other times it’s just all space cadet before his attention snaps back and he breaks towards you. It is not as consistent as we want it and at this time we continue with minimal distractions. These distractions do not transfer over to any commands within heel range. His focus and check ins are constant when walking through or around distractions.
Caesar has been actively playing with all dogs, choosing either Rocco, Nina, or Julius as his favorites. If Nina gets too many dogs on her at the same time she does do a quick verbal correction and Caesar takes it very well, either leaving her alone completely or licking her face until they proceed to play again with no bad blood. He does break away from play groups if he finds a pile of ice on the ground due to the water bucket freezing getting dumped out. He absolutely loves ice and once he is finished with a big chunk he will go back for more even in the middle of playtime.
WEEKLY PROMPT: Week four
Rate your dog’s week (low) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (high): 7
Please explain why you chose this number: I chose to give Caesar a seven this week because we had to take a step back and work on his downs both from a heel and a distance.
What commands did you work on this week? (If the command same as the week before, what was different about your dog’s performance?): This week we went back to the basics with the down command. Usually he would only down with a lure or if the command using hand gestures was close to the ground for him to follow. This only reinforced needing either a lure or placing the down command near your shins. Through lots of patience and constant games of unblinking thousand yard staring into each other’s eyes we have succeeded in consistent down commands from a heel and long distance.
What did you do for playtime with your dog?: Caesars favorite dog lately has been Nina. Both in the hallways and during playtime. During group play sessions they both tend to single each other out. We’ve been able to recall Caesar from the middle of a play session with regular kibble and pets. Sometimes he even checks in on his own if he breaks his attention away from the other dogs.
What is one interesting thing you noticed about your dog this week?: He checks out as if starring at dust in the air occasionally but snaps back quickly with a call of his name or a pat on the head. Straight space cadet.
What is one thing (training related) you believe you did good at this week?: Knowing when and how to get engagement whether he is actively in puppy brain mode and how to keep that engagement while staying calm to not get him over excited.
What is one thing (training related) you could improve on: Communication. Most members of the team has done this long enough it is easy to slump into thinking “everyone knows what to do.” But being able to sit and communicate with the newer members or even older ones who only trained a dog one way due to past teams would be very beneficial not only for the dogs but handlers as well.
For all of weekly progress reports please check back here or visit the PAWS Facebook page!
FOR MORE INFO ON CEASAR? CLICK HERE.
Weekly Video
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ROCCO IS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
12/10/25: Arrived at the Givens Hall PAWS Program in Orofino.
WEEKLY SUMMARY (WEEK FOUR)
ROCCO
Rocco has been very successful this week! This young boy learns so quickly and tries so hard to understand and please his handlers at all times. Throughout this week we have continued to work on all of our basic obedience commands as well as constantly catching unacceptable behaviors and redirecting Rocco, helping shape the correct ones. This week we worked on stand-stays for a duration of time as we increase our distance. Since last week we have been able to have others inspect Rocco with minimal food reward as he stays engaged with his handlers. During these times, Rocco needs lots of verbal praise and assurance that we like what he’s doing. Outside of working on stand-stays and inspections, Rocco is doing great with all of his other commands! He has great duration, and he is doing so well at performing each command at various distances.
WEEKLY PROMPT: WEEK FOUR
Rate your dog’s week (low) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (high): 9
Please explain why you chose this number
Dog’s number: This week we took a lot of things from last week and continued to shape and push them. We worked lots on the “stand” command and really worked on a number of people inspecting Rocco while he remained calm and was not trying to mouth or get excited when people touched him.
What commands did you work on this week? (If the command same as the week before, what was different about your dog’s performance?): This week we continued to work on Rocco’s recalls as well as calling him out of play. Depending on the heightened experience, Rocco can be called out of play most times with a lot of energy being put into his name and a high food reward. We also introduced stand stays along with distance and duration in both sits and downs.
What did you do for playtime with your dog?: We have been doing pack plays with the dogs, one on one times with dogs, and learning fetch out on the yard with a long lead.
What is one interesting thing you noticed about your dog this week?: This week I noticed that Rocco is starting to pick up on his obedience and most importantly hi behaviors are improving. He seems to understand when it’s time to work, play, and calm down around other dogs and people. Rocco seems to pick up and become more obedient week by week!
What is one thing (training related) you believe you did good at this week?: This week I think we all did good at working on the stand command, letting others handle him and inspect him while he stands and stays attentive on his handler. This has been a challenge for Rocco as he always wants to play and mouth.
What is one thing (training related) you could improve on?: We could improve on expecting less in different environments. Although Rocco shows great progress daily, people will take their wins with him and try to have the same success in new environments which defeats their drive and willingness to engage with Rocco.
For all of weekly progress reports please check back here or visit the PAWS Facebook page!
FOR MORE INFO ON ROCCOI? CLICK HERE.
Weekly Video
JULIUS IS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
12/1025: Arrived at the Givens Hall PAWS Program in Orofino!
WEEKLY SUMMARY (WEEK FOUR)
Julius
Julius is coming along really well. He has done amazing with his commands. He is still easily distracted outside when he sees animals so it can be difficult to get him to potty sometimes. He is a puppy though so it just takes some patience. The team has been teaching him stand and inspections which is coming along well. Julius is a smart leaner. I have noticed that the initial shaping of a command needs to be done one on one with little distractions around. He has a short attention span at times so it takes extra patience. We are still using the same markers, using ‘nope’ when he messes up and giving the opportunity for him to retry. We mark desired behaviors with ‘good’ to reinforce the positive behaviors. We haven’t had too many challenge with Julius this week he has been doing really well. We are pleased with his training and how well he is doing.
WEEKLY PROMPT: WEEK FOUR
Rate your dog’s week (low) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (high): 8
Please explain why you chose this number
Dog’s number: Julius has done well learning the ‘stand’ command and his inspections as well.
What commands did you work on this week? (If the command same as the week before, what was different about your dog’s performance?): We worked more on the stand command and inspections.
What did you do for playtime with your dog?: Julius plays every morning either with ball playing fetch, or with Piano or Rocco.
What is one interesting thing you noticed about your dog this week?: Julius loves to play tug with other dogs. He is learning how to play with toys with other dogs which is great.
What is one thing (training related) you believe you did good at this week?: My team has done well at being consistent with Julius when it comes to our expectations around people.
What is one thing (training related) you could improve on?: We could improve about communicating the issues that Julius has when each trainer does their training session with him.
For all of weekly progress reports please check back here or visit the PAWS Facebook page!
FOR MORE INFO ON JULIUS? CLICK HERE.
Weekly Video
AUTUMN IS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
12/10/25: Arrived at the Givens Hall PAWS Program in Orofino!
Autumn
Autumn did a great job this week listening to commands and extending her duration. She was very responsive when it came to her recalls and had a good time playing. We focused on her stand stays this week, and we really tried to get her to feel comfortable with being inspected.
Autumn did a good job and improved her duration quickly. She likes to be petted as you do the inspection. This week for play we utilized her appreciation for other dogs and let her run around with them and have fun in the rain.
Autumn loved playing with Nina, Bobo, and Julius. Autumn does a great job of facilitating play. She enjoys running and playing chase. Autumn has very strong back legs and can stand on them for quite a while. We are in the process of teaching her a trick that involves her standing on them and turning around in circles
Our team did an excellent job teaching Autumn a new trick this week and extending her duration on her commands.
WEEKLY PROMPT: WEEK Four
Rate your dog’s week (low) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (high): 8
Please explain why you chose this number
Autumn did a great job this week listening to commands and extending her duration. She was very responsive when it came to her recalls and had a good time playing.
What commands did you work on this week? (If the command same as the week before, what was different about your dog’s performance?):
We focused on her stand stays this week, and we really tried to get her to feel comfortable with being inspected. Autumn did a good job and improved her duration quickly. She likes to be petted as you do the inspection.
What did you do for playtime with your dog?:
This week for play we utilized her appreciation for other dogs and let her run around with them and have fun in the rain. Autumn loved playing with Nina, Bobo, and Julius. Autumn does a great job of facilitating play. She enjoys running and playing chase.
What is one interesting thing you noticed about your dog this week?:
Autumn has very strong back legs and can stand on them for quite a while. We are in the process of teaching her a trick that involves her standing on them and turning around in circles
What is one thing (training related) you believe you did good at this week?:
Our team did an excellent job teaching Autumn a new trick this week and extending her duration on her commands.
What is one thing (training related) you could improve on?:
I would like to improve on teaching tricks.
For all of weekly progress reports please check back here or visit the PAWS Facebook page!
FOR MORE INFO ON AUTUMN? CLICK HERE.
Weekly Video
BOBO IS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION
12/10/25: Arrived at the Givens Hall PAWS Program in Orofino!
WEEKLY SUMMARY (WEEK FOUR)
BOBO
This past week Bobo has shown more improvement with accepting strangers due to being forced into situations that push his boundaries. Bobo will need consistent exposure to these types of situations and high rewards when he shows bravery. The best parts about him being scared is that he will build a strong bond with his handlers and trainers and he doesn’t show any signs of aggression when scared. That being said, he has been a lot better about relaxing (laying down) in stress environments after periods of exposure. We have begun to bowl feed him in these environments because he dropped a couple of pounds in his first couple of weeks and we would like him to gain some weight along with being highly rewarded in these situations that he doesn’t want to be in. Bobo does come out of his shell and is as completely different dog around other dogs. He will even approach people he doesn’t know in a pack setting. Along with being around other dogs, this is one area that we focus on his obedience training because it makes the training more successful for the handler and for Bobo. We have started to remove lures from most of his commands, but he does still get distracted and needs some assistance every now and then. We adore this big, sweet dog and enjoy working through the challenges that he puts us through every day.
WEEKLY PROMPT: WEEK TWO
Rate your dog’s week (low) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (high):
Please explain why you chose this number
Dog’s number: Bobo has been slowly getting more comfortable in high traffic environments like the hallway. He is still pretty scared at times, but he is getting more used to relaxing and recognizing that that is what we, as a team, are looking for.
What commands did you work on this week? (If the command same as the week before, what was different about your dog’s performance?): Bobo has been still working on his obedience training and proximity work around other dogs. We have found that the best time to work on his obedience is with another dog in the area that he trusts.
What did you do for playtime with your dog?: He has been to every playtime this week and we have also played with some of the dogs 1-on-1. Bobo turns into a completely new dog when he plays. His confidence goes up astronomically and he trots around like a big horse.
What is one interesting thing you noticed about your dog this week?: We have been working on bowl feeding in stressful areas to help him associate these areas with a reward. We have noticed that with this training he is making more progress with trusting more people to be near him.
What is one thing (training related) you believe you did good at this week?: We believe that pushing Bobo’s boundaries in stress environments has been a huge improvement for his confidence and for the team’s patience. We have all been leaning how to train a dog using a lot of patience and it is slowly paying off.
What is one thing (training related) you could improve on?: We could improve on patience, always. Even though we all have been very patient with him coming out of his shell, we could always be more in certain times because it can be frustrating when he won’t look at the handler because of a noise.
For all of weekly progress reports please check back here or visit the PAWS Facebook page!
FOR MORE INFO ON BOBO? CLICK HERE.