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Dog Training For Kids

Children are always welcome in Canis Sapiens classes, however we also offer this special class for children and their dogs.   Before your child attends this class, you must bring your dog in so we can see how your dog acts around other dogs and people. This is not a class for dogs that rush at other dogs or people when they see them. Call or email for other class suggestions if you think your dog may currently be too wild for this class.

Positive dog training methods are perfect for kids because dogs are not pushed into position or jerked or intimidated. These actions can be dangerous to do plus most parents do not want to reinforce the “if you don’t do what I want, I’ll make you” mentality in their children. If the dog doesn’t do what is asked, he/she just doesn’t get the reward. This is how many animals who cannot be leashed, because of where they live (dolphins) or because jerking them is dangerous (bears and many other zoo animals), have been trained for years.

The first session of this 5 week class  is devoted to being safe around dogs. The middle three sections include training basic obedience skills using hand signals, learning some tricks and introducing the dogs to some equipment. The last session includes  a recital
and a “how to play safely with dogs” demonstration.

NEXT 5 WEEK SESSION STARTS THURSDAY APRIL 12

FREE "How to be safe around dogs" talks IN HYDE PARK ONLY (email for information about cost for talks given in other locations)

"How To Be Safe Around Dogs”
April 12, 6:15 – 7:00 pm
Hyde Park Neighborhood Club

The "How To Be Safe Around Dogs"/"Be A Tree" talk teaches children the steps to take before they interact with a dog and the best ways to pet a dog. It also teaches the “be at tree” posture which is used to encourage a dog to settle down or go away. Learn the subtle signals dogs use when they are uncomfortable. Most dogs give these signals before they growl or snap. Keep kids and dogs safe, adults can learn and watch for signs of anxiety in the dog and intervene if they see them.

"How To Play Safely With Your Dog”
May 10, 6:15 – 7:00 pm
Hyde Park Neighborhood Club

This talk reviews how to meet a dog safely, how to tell if your dog wants to play and what to do if an off leash dog approaches you.  We demonstrate basic obedience, games to play with your dog and tricks to teach your dog.  Finally we show some of the exercises from the canine good citizen test and give you a taste of the variety of dog sports.

For more information about safety around dogs, check out: doggonesafe.com, link
This site has a great DVD with children training their dogs called clicker puppy and a board game, Doggone Crazy! Family Board Game, that teaches children and their parents how to be safe around dogs, link

Got a dog, some kids and some stairs?
Try this training game, link
C+T and C/T both mean click and treat.

Brenda and Sissi, girl doing freestyle with her sheltie, youtube link