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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us November 22, 2004 Part of the family This is the first article in a three-part series highlighting different approaches to dog training offered in the area. Each article will also feature a different dog available for adoption at the Jackson County Animal Shelter, located at 5595 South Pacific Highway in Phoenix. By Jennifer Squires Ashland Daily Tidings The Petsmart accredited pet training focuses on one clear goal: Transforming a puppy or a dog from an unruly pet into a family member. "We're out to make a good family pet," said Debbie Raymond, a Petsmart dog trainer with 12 years of experience. "We're not out for dog-show dogs or obedience show dogs." Debbie Raymond works with four-year-old Berle as part of a training program through Petsmart in Medford. Andrew Mariman | Ashland Daily Tidings Through verbal cues, hand signals and positive reinforcement, the Petsmart program teaches basic commands and eliminates problem behaviors such as jumping, chewing, barking and digging. "That's the main reason dogs end up at the shelter," Raymond said. "It's the behavior problems that land the dog there." So dogs come to training sessions like the ones offered at Petsmart, where the canines learn simple rules to make family life more pleasant. "This is more enjoyable for not only the people, but the dog," Raymond said. "We make training very, very easy. We're focused most on 'This is the way you're going to behave as a member of our family.'" Beginning with hand signals and treats, owners open the doors of communication with their dogs by rewarding positive behaviors. For example, to begin with a pet owner may wait for the dog to make eye contact, then speak the canine's name and offer a nibble of a treat. The aim is for the dog to perform the positive action without any verbal cue, then for the owner to speak the word or phrase that will be associated with the command in the future. "We try not to use verbal communication unless we're going to get the behavior," Raymond said. "We do everything with hand signals first, as opposed to commands." According to Raymond, dogs don't understand the English language, so yelling directions at pets doesn't serve a purpose without a visual connection and motivation, such as a hand movement and a treat, to complete the task. Typical commands taught at the Petsmart pet training include look, come, gotcha, take it easy, sit/down, stay, leave it, as well as loose-leash walking and how to wait at a doorway or gate. The pets also get the chance to mingle with other dogs and families at the classes. "They're learning how to do all of this with everyone else around," Raymond said. Canines between the ages of 10 weeks and six months can attend the eight-week puppy course, while dogs older than six months can take part in the eight-week basic class. Both groups work on the same basic commands. Petsmart also offers six-week advanced classes, after which dogs can take the Canine Good Citizen Test. Dogs who pass the CGC receive an acknowledgment from the AKC that they can behave in public. Classes cost $89 and are held at the Medford Petsmart. Bow-rrific tip When a dog starts pulling on a leash, just stop walking and hold the same tension in the line until the dog relaxes and turns around. By waiting out the behavior, according to Raymond, the owner remains in control without hurting the dog by jerking or pulling the leash. Also, jerking or pulling reinforces the negative behavior because the dog is still receiving attention, which could teach that harder tugging on the leash results in more attention. Raymond recommends the owner wait for the dog to turn and look, then say the pet's name, offer a treat and a pat on the head. How To Adopt This dog, or any of the other animals at Jackson County Animal Shelter, are available for adoption. Adoption fees run $75, including a $55 voucher to get the animal spayed or neutered if it is not already fixed, a free examination by a participating vet, three free obedience classes at the Southern Oregon Humane Society, and a dog counseling session if it has trouble getting settled in. To adopt a dog from the Jackson County Animal Shelter, please apply in person. The shelter is located at 5595 S. Pacific Hwy., and is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday noon to 4 p.m. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Slippers Isotoner Slippers Dsw Shoes Ceramic Piggy Banks Fanny Mae Eloans Calenders 2005 Calender 2005 Accelerate Weight Loss Programs Citibank Student Loans Acs Loan Matchmaking & Dating Scripts Adventure Travel Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems student loan consolidation helzberg diamonds Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams