Community Corner

Having Doggy Issues? Berlin to Offer Classes for Your Pup

Need some obedience training? Let the Berlin Parks and Recreation Department help.

Is your dog walking you instead of the other way around? Are you concerned about taking your puppy into public for fear of how they will react? Berlin has an answer for you.

The town announced Tuesday that it will offer dog obedience classes to its residents, with a wide variety of options to help address issues your dog may be facing.

Terri Noyes said the classes will be offered to town residents first, with out-of-town residents eligible to take any remaining slots.

All classes will be held at the former Pistol Creek Golf Course, 600 Spruce Brook Road in East Berlin and there is a small cost to participate. Dog handlers should be at least 16 years of age.

For more information contact us at 860-828-7009 or go to www.town.berlin.ct.us.

Available classes include the following, as provided by the Berlin Parks and Recreation Department:

Kindergarten Puppy Training The class is for puppies aged two and a half  months to six months old. We will work on leash walking and the come, sit and down commands. Your puppy will also develop social skills and confidence. Learn how to praise and correct your puppy appropriately. Start a great relationship with your pup! We will address problems like chewing, housebreaking and crate training. You will need a six-foot leash and we will discuss leashes and collars in the first class.

First class is held without dogs and is mandatory unless you are excused by the instructor. 

Please bring a copy of your puppy’s current vaccinations to the first class. There is a fee for residents and non-residents. The class that will run for seven weeks, Thursdays, Sept. 12 to Oct. 24 from 6 - 7 p.m.

Basic Dog Obedience
– The class will cover basic commands for the family dog. Commands include "sit, down, stay, heel, come and stand." You will learn how to correct bad habits such as jumping up and pulling on the leash. Learn how to praise, correct and discipline your dog appropriately. Dogs should be at least 6 months old. You will need a six-foot leash and we will discuss leashes and collars in the first class. 

First class is held without dogs and is mandatory unless you are excused by the instructor. 

A copy of your dog’s current vaccinations, including Bordetella, should be given to the instructor at the first class. There is a fee for residents and non-residents for this seven week class that is held Session One on Tuesdays, Sept. 10, to Oct. 22, from 6 - 7 p.m. Session Two will run Tuesdays, Nov. 5 to Dec. 17 from 6 – 7 p.m.

Obedience Challenge Course
Dog and handler teams will navigate a course of varying obedience exercises each week. Teams will improve their skills with the goal of completing the course with few, if any, corrections. Handlers will work with the instructor to better their skills and shorten their course time while learning to work as a team with their dog. Dogs and handlers must have completed Basic Dog Obedience class and should have a working knowledge of the sit, down, stay, heel, come and stand commands. You will need a six-foot leash. We will reward our dogs with physical and verbal praise, not food. 

Please bring a copy of your dog’s current vaccinations to the first class if the instructor does not have this on file already.  There is a fee for the class for residents and non-residents. The class runs for four weeks on Wednesdays from Sept. 18 to Oct. 9, from 6 - 7 p.m.

Better Basic Dog Obedience – This class is for dogs and handlers that have completed the Basic dog obedience class. Emphasis will be on improving the skills learned in Basic dog obedience class. We will concentrate on the stay, heel, come and recall exercises and work with a greater level of distraction. This class will give you a better insight into your dog’s behavior. You will need a 6 ft. leash. Dogs will be rewarded with verbal and physical, praise not food. 

Please bring a copy of your dog’s vaccinations if not already on file. There is a fee for the class for residents and non-residents. The class is held on Wednesdays for six weeks from 6 - 7 p.m. from Nov. 6 to Dec. 11.

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