Yappy Hour and beyond

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  Barking, pulling and unruly dogs are not something that a pet owner has to cope with on their own; the Pet Spa offers a number of training classes to help a dog owner tame their beast.

Courtney McCormack, Pet Spa dog trainer, teaches dog owners how to deal with the issues they face and nurture their dogs in the proper way through a range of classes and socialization.

The focus of Puppy Kindergarten is basic obedience training for puppies under six months old. Class runs from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Tuesdays begins Oct. 16. and meets each Tuesday for six-weeks. Cost is $30.

"This class teaches your puppy some manners around people and other animals," Mrs. McCormack said. "I also teach some techniques on controlling behavior problems before they escalate into a major crisis. Another main part of Puppy Kindergarten is socialization at an early age, which gives the puppy better social skills for when they become an adult."

The Adult Obedience class is basically the same as Puppy Kindergarten, but designed for dogs older than six months. The six-week Monday classes run from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. It begins Oct. 15 and the cost is $60.

"There are a few more issues we go over in the Adult Obedience class because the dog is a bit more mature and wants to get into more mischief," Mrs. McCormack said. "This class also works on building a better relationship with your dog."

In addition to learning how to work with their dog, students learn how to handle their dog.
"People will walk away from the classes with the understanding on how to train their dog, control both negative and positive situations and a happier healthier relationship with their dog," Mrs. McCormack said. "Not to mention, good times."

Tech. Sgt. Joseph Bates, 52nd Fighter Wing protocol and dog owner, enrolled his two American Staffordshire Terriers, Charlie and Stella, in the obedience class.

"Any medium or large dog needs several things," Sergeant Bates said. "At, or near, the top of the list, is continual training. The beauty of the classes at the Pet Spa is that you get training and socialization all at once."

The Pet Spa offers a Yappy Hour Wednesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., and the third Saturday of the month from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Yappy Hour is dog play group designed to keep dogs socialized.

"This socialization is great for the dog because it keeps their skills of playing correctly with other dogs and humans, plus it gives them extra exercise," Mrs. McCormick said. "If dogs do not become socialized, they may become anxious, fearful and antisocial with people and other animals."

After his dogs graduated from the class, Sergeant Bates began taking them to Yappy Hour.

"Dogs, like children, need constant reinforcement of many things," Sergeant Bates said. "Dogs as children is an analogy that I use a lot. Just like you can't put the kids in the closet after school, you can't go through the classes and consider the dog trained or socialized. It is an excellent opportunity to learn more about dogs as the trainer is on hand. You get to expose your dog to many types, situations, distracters and breeds as students come and go constantly. Any new thing, be it a puppy, a terrier, a male/female, etc., can be an object of intense interest, fear and sometimes aggression on the part your dog. Exposure can help your dog accept and enjoy these new things, so when they experience them again at your home or on the walk, bad things doesn't happen. The play group is also a great opportunity to talk with people who share a common interest, work some excess energy out of the dog and get away from the T.V," he said.

Dogs are invited to the "Yappy Hour" after graduation from a Pet Spa training class. Dogs who have not been through a training class can be offered an invitation after their behavior has been evaluated by a member of the Pet Spa staff.

For dog owners who wish to continue their dog's training, the Pet Spa also offers an Advanced Class. The next advanced class begins Nov. 22.

"This is open for anyone who has been through my other obedience classes," Mrs. McCormack said. "I will also take dogs that have been through other obedience training, but will have to be evaluated before entering the class. The focus in the advance class is expanding on things learned in the Puppy Kindergarten and the Adult Obedience classes, plus adding a few extras for fun." 

For more information about Pet Spa classes, call 452-9362. 

(Editor's note: This is part one of a two part series about dog obedience)