Creating Better Shelter Experiences Through Behavior Science
Shelter Behavior Integrations partners with animal shelters to build humane, sustainable behavior systems that uplift animals and the people who care for them. Founder Laurie Lawless provides on-site and remote guidance to improve welfare, operations, and outcomes.
Online Courses
Educational Content for Behavior Consultants & Shelter Teams
In-person Training
Expert Hands-On Training and Program Design for Your Shelter and Staff
Schedule a One-on-One Call with Laurie
A safe space to brainstorm, troubleshoot, and breathe
Sometimes you don’t need a full program, just an hour with someone who understands your world.
In this one-time, 60-minute call, we’ll tackle your toughest behavior or program challenges head-on. Bring your questions, your data, or even a tricky dog case.
Together, we’ll clarify what’s working, where to adjust, and how to create meaningful change with the resources you have.
You’ll walk away with a tailored action plan and follow-up resources to help turn insight into a game plan.
Upcoming Webinar
Let's move beyond the 5 Domains! This webinar series introduces the Framework of Dog Needs for shelter settings, an adaptation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs into a Framework of Dogs’ Needs by Animal Welfare Researchers. The welcome video and Lessons 1, 2, & 3 are available immediately, while Lessons 4&5 will be released over the next 3 months, giving you time to practice application between lessons.
SUCCESS STORY
Laurie was a major force behind transforming our shelter’s intake process and rebuilding our dog behavior program from the ground up
"Laurie Lawless of Shelter Behavior Integrations just gets it! She knows animal behavior inside and out, and she somehow manages to make even the toughest situations feel manageable. She’s approachable, funny, endlessly helpful, and has this great way of turning messy challenges into ‘okay, we’ve got this’ moments. I’m so grateful for her help. She was a major force behind transforming our shelter’s intake process and rebuilding our dog behavior program from the ground up. Laurie’s team-based approach gets everyone on board, and she brings out the best in people who work in the tough, unpredictable world of sheltering. She’s open-minded, practical, and refreshingly real: a true asset to the animal welfare community. I’d recommend her to any shelter ready for positive change and a healthier, happier environment for both people and animals."
Christen Trayah
Shelter Manager
Humane Society of Chittenden County
Our Mission
To empower shelters to align their daily practices with behavior-driven, welfare-centered goals—building programs that create calmer kennels, stronger teams, and better outcomes for every dog.
Free & Low Cost Resources for Shelters
$5 Monthly Webinar Series
Each month Laurie bring on shelter and behavior experts to discuss various topics to help you and your staff on her “Lawless Off Leash” series.
Free Shelter Support
Join other shelter behavior rock stars on our private Facebook Group: “More Adoptions. Less Burnout!” Laurie curates information specifically for the group in addition to posting about upcoming educational opportunities!
Lives with Laurie
Laurie jumps on Zoom weekly to have discussions about various topics in animal sheltering, and then uploads them right to the website so you can enjoy ongoing education completely for free!
Testimonials from Clients & Colleagues
-
![]()
Looking to ramp up the quality of the care you offer your dogs? I recommend Shelter Behavior Integrations" 110%!
"Laurie and team did a fantastic job developing and delivering a custom-made program to help us learn how to run play groups and assess dog-to-dog interactions. Looking to ramp up the quality of the care you offer your dogs? I recommend Shelter Behavior Integrations 110%!”
Eudora Watson
Animal Care Manager, Potsdam Humane Society
-
![Wayside Waifs Team and Laurie]()
Absolutely worth the investment for the growth of our Playgroup Program and our team!
"Having Laurie come to Wayside Waifs was absolutely worth the investment for the growth of our Playgroup Program and our team! Laurie observed our team in action, made recommendations for how we could best formalize playgroups utilizing the physical and human resources available to us, and provided hands-on learning for the staff and volunteers...Being able to run almost daily playgroups has resulted in a decrease in noise in the kennel areas and generally more relaxed dogs."
Alison Reader, CAWA
Vice President of Animal Welfare
& Operations, Wayside Waifs 2024 -
![SPCA Brevard County]()
Realistic solutions that shelter staff can apply
“Laurie brings realistic solutions that shelter staff can apply to their day to day work and improve the behavior of the dogs in their care. Laurie is passionate about helping shelter dogs and wants to help you succeed. She was so amazing to work with, we had her come back a second time!”
Lacie Davis
Executive Director of SPCA of Brevard County 2021
-
![]()
Her support is essential to our goal of being a best practices rescue
"Laurie is a gifted canine behavior consultant, whose talents have consistently helped us rehabilitate challenging rescued dogs. Each individualized intervention plan is thorough, easily implemented, and yields positive outcomes. Laurie’s expertise and commitment to her client’s success is unparalleled. Her support is essential to our goal of being a best practices rescue."
Michelle Steen Sharp
Texas Coordinator, The Joshua Fund Rescue, Inc.
-
![]()
Her deep understanding of canine behavior and her keen observational abilities...made her a superb Behavior Lead
"I loved working with Laurie Lawless on the ASPCA’s Behavioral Sciences Team – her deep understanding of canine behavior and her keen observational abilities, along with her incredible training and handling skills, made her a superb Behavior Lead. Also, she’s as good with humans as she is with dogs: a patient teacher, able to gracefully maneuver the emotional vicissitudes of working in high-stress situations. And to top it off, she’s really smart and fun to be with."
Becky Stowe
Owner, Second Act Dog Training
-
![]()
The information Laurie presented to our staff was invaluable and gave all of us a better sense of understanding and confidence
"Laurie spent a full day at the Hudson Valley Dog Farm, educating our staff on dog-dog introductions, managing dog playgroups, and dog body language. We spent about half the day in the classroom and about half the day hands on with dogs, putting into action our classroom learning, with feedback from Laurie. The information Laurie presented to our staff was invaluable and gave all of us a better sense of understanding and confidence. Laurie strikes a perfect balance between being the expert and having an approachable, nonjudgmental style. I would have her back to the Dog Farm over and over again to keep our skills fresh, and continue to learn from her vast understanding of dogs."
Kara Gilmore
Hudson Valley Dog Farmer
