The Humane Society is pleased to announce Puppy Kindergarten! Classes will be taught in the agency’s NEW Binda Education and Training
Center.
Lois Phelps, HSSCM behaviorist, will be offering Puppy Kindergarten
classes based on the program designed by Dr. Ian Dunbar. The classes are for puppies 12 to 18 weeks old, and focus on topics such as bite inhibition, socialization and crate training.

We selected this curriculum after careful analysis of the reasons owners gave us for surrendering their pets. The majority of dogs surrendered to HSSCM in the past 18 months were released because of socialization issues, including fearful reactions to new people, dogs or venues, lack of confidence, inadequate self-control and the inability of both dog and family to blend their unique needs into a functional family unit. Age 12 to 18 weeks is the optimum time to address these issues.

The six-week course will cost $60, and families are encouraged to
attend together - puppy training is a family endeavor! Each class will hold eight puppies, and multiple sessions will be offered to fit the need.

Lois Phelps has earned 123 of the required 160 credit hours for her
Level I, Professional, Certified Professional Dog Trainer (C.P.D.T.)
certification, issued through the national Association of Professional
Dog Trainers. Focusing on dog aggression and behavior modification, she has taken seminars from Dr. Patricia McConnell and Dr. Karen London (U of Wisconsin), Patricia Bollen (Cornell University), Suzanne
Clothier (national German Shepherd and Search and Rescue trainer),
Trisha King (Director of Animal Behavior, Marin County, CA.), Brenda Aloff (author of Aggression in Dogs; Practical Management, Prevention & Behavior Modification), Sue Sternberg (Roundout Kennels, NY), and Dr. Emily Weiss (A.S.P.C.A.).

To sign up, or for more information, please call 269.963.1796.