Dog class emphasizes communication between owners and their pets
April 21st, 2008 Posted in Pets GuideSince dogs are allowed inside the Mattoon Rural King store, dog trainer Dayton Cummings often sends students there to practice in an unfamiliar and busy setting.
But Cummings made an extended appearance himself Saturday, offering condensed lessons on site at Rural King. And the Pets Guide emphasis of the “Who’s Leading Who” class was on communication between dog and owner, he said.
“A lot of (problems) are failure to communicate with each other misunderstandings,” said Cummings, a certified dog trainer and behavior specialist.
The owner of Dayton’s Dogs subcontracts with K-9 Estates south of Mattoon, and collaborated with Rural King for Saturday’s class.
About 10 people and their pets attended, and Cummings worked with them on “behavioral issues,” he said.
Specifically, “I showed them how to walk loosely on a leash” and also some housebreaking tips.
Cummings said the program Saturday also was intended to encourage dog owners to bring their pets with them to Pets Guide Rural King, “to let people know dogs are welcomed here.”
Mattoon resident Michelle Gillis attended “Who’s Leading Who” with her 2-year-old miniature Pomeranian, “Diamond.”
“Minding is not something she does well with,” Gillis said. “I hope to get her a little bit under control.”
Bruce Steinke of rural Shelby County brought his black labrador retriever , “Katie,” to the class. “She’s not bad,” he said, but he noted that Katie also “takes off running” on occasion.
“You call her and she turns around and looks at you, (and then) she’s gone,” he said.
Julie Meyer of Assumption lugged her 18-month-old Great Dane, “Buddy,” to the Pets Guide program Saturday. Meyer and Buddy already attended a 16-week obedience course in Decatur.
“It helped somewhat, but you never want to stop teaching them,” Meyer said.
Tags: ash, bet, dog owners, dogs, labrador, Pet, pets, Pets GuideRelated posts
Tags: ash, bet, dog owners, dogs, labrador, Pet, pets, Pets Guide
