Certified skilled canine coach Melissa Parker of Coachable Canines will lead canine coaching lessons for puppies and up on the Northbrook Park District. The six-week lessons begin April 30.
Courtesy of Melissa Parker
Would you want your puppy to get used to being round individuals and different dogs, and be taught to not be afraid of thunderstorms? Or maybe you’d like your canine to be taught to observe basic directions whereas getting an opportunity to socialize?
If the reply is “yes,” you’ll be able to register now for 2 canine coaching lessons beginning April 30 on the Northbrook Park District.
“Puppy Beginnings” is for puppies between the ages of two months and 4 months. “Basic Behaviors Dog Training” is for dogs 5 months old and up. Certified skilled canine coach Melissa Parker of Coachable Canines will lead each lessons, that are solely based mostly on optimistic reinforcement.
Both lessons will encompass six periods on Tuesday evenings from April 30 to June 4. The puppy class will take place from 4 to 4:50 p.m.; the basic behaviors class will take place from 5 to five:50 p.m.
Class sizes might be saved small to maximise time for every mother or father and pet, and to maintain distractions at a minimal, Parker mentioned.
“Most people call them ‘owners,’” she defined, “but I prefer ‘parent.’ I like to make it more family oriented.”
The puppy class will assist puppies be taught to be snug in working with their mother and father, and can embody time for play and socialization. The class will expose puppies to a wide range of stimuli, together with sounds and textures, to allow them to begin getting used to issues like fireworks, thunderstorms and vacuums, Parker mentioned.
“Hopefully down the road, because they have been exposed to those things in a positive way, they will not be scary for them,” she mentioned.
The basic behaviors class is geared to build communication between mother and father and their dogs, who be taught basic instruction like “sit,” “down,” “leave it” and “drop it.”
“It’s definitely a fun experience,” Parker mentioned. “I want it to be fun so that parents enjoy training their dogs, and I can keep up the dogs’ interest.”
Her purchasers have included older dogs whose mother and father thought would profit from a brand new and fulfilling expertise, she added.
Parker, who’s been licensed for 3 years, additionally teaches canine coaching at two different suburban park districts. As a former school basketball coach, her job completely combines her ardour for teaching and her love for dogs, she mentioned.
The park district additionally has a membership-based canine park at Coast Guard Park, the place dogs can run and play off-leash in utterly fenced-in areas, one for all dogs and one for smaller dogs. For extra info and to use for a canine park membership, go to nbparks.co/dogpark.
The park district began providing canine coaching lessons within the fall as an extra service for the group, whose love for dogs is well-known, mentioned Northbrook Park District Recreation Supervisor Matt Papale.
“Training your canine utilizing optimistic reinforcement strategies provide help to to speak successfully and build a trusting relationship with them,” Papale mentioned.
The upcoming canine coaching lessons take place on the Village Green Center at Village Green Park in downtown Northbrook. Before the primary class on April 30, mother and father will watch a pre-recorded orientation video that includes Parker.
For the puppy class, proof of the primary spherical of vaccinations at the least 10 days earlier than the beginning of the category have to be supplied. For the basic behaviors class, proof of up-to-date vaccinations is required. For extra info and to register for the canine coaching lessons, go to nbparks.org/programs/dogs.
Established in 1927, the mission of the Northbrook Park District is to boost the group by offering excellent providers, parks and amenities by environmental, social and monetary stewardship.
