STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Not only the children have to go back to school in the next few weeks. The dogs have to go to school too.
Scotch Pines Dog Training, which specializes in off-leash obedience, will begin dog obedience classes on September 6. Nine weeks later, there will be a graduation ceremony with a graduation hat, diploma and lots of treats for the dog.
Dogs learn skills such as heel, sit, down, stay, come, and stand for investigation. They also learn to leave live animals, such as rabbits, alone. And dog owners learn how to deal with problems such as jumping, biting, chewing, digging, barking, and fighting.
Classes begin Friday, September 6th in Hailey, with additional classes beginning Saturday, September 7th in Burley, Twin Falls and Buhl. The Hailey class is Friday from 4-6pm. The Burley class is Saturday from 9-11am, followed by the Twin Falls class from 1-3pm and the Buhl class from 4-6pm.
There will also be a live online Zoom group starting Wednesday, September 4th at 8pm Mountain Time.
Classes take place once a week for nine weeks – that means it takes nine weeks from kindergarten to graduation.
Training techniques consist of one part correction by pulling on a training collar and two parts praise. The class is taught by Stephanie Hostetter, who has been offering classes in Hailey and Twin Falls for years.
Cost is $400 per dog. Enroll two dogs and receive a $100 double dog discount.
Dogs must be at least six months old to attend classes, but new this year is puppy preschool for dogs ages 10 weeks to six months.
Anyone who wants to refresh their skills will receive free access to further courses for the entire life of the dog.
For more information visit http://www.spdogtraining.com/about.htm or call 208-484-5784.
