Pets

Pet Education classes are brought to you by the

Companion Animal Resource Education (CARE) Center.

NEW! CHILD & ADULT TEAM DOG TRAINING - Make dog training a family affair! Children ages 9 to 14 and their parents or guardians are invited to attend this four-week introductory dog training class. The concept of operant conditioning and clicker training will be introduced the first week with fun and games for humans followed by two weeks of training with the family’s dog (5 months or older). The final week will be an informal “show” for family and friends who wish to share in the children’s accomplishments. Dogs must have received a veterinary health exam in the last year and be current on their vaccinations. Class begins Feb. 19.

Tuesday - 6:30 - 7:30 pm............................................................................ Lincoln Square Village

4 sessions (4 hours)............................................................................................................... $60.00

NEW! HELPING ARTHRITIC PETS - Have you ever wondered how to keep your animals in tip-top shape? In this session you will learn how to help your arthritic dogs and cats feel their best. Exercise ideas for pets of all ages will also be discussed by Kim Knap, CVT and rehabilitation specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Class meets Feb. 27.

Wednesday - 6:30 - 8:00 pm....................................................... ASPCA Office, Sunnycrest Mall

One session (1.5 hours)........................................................................................................... $5.00

NEW! COMMUNICATING WITH OUR BEST FRIEND: UNDERSTANDING THE BODY LANGUAGE OF DOGS - This class features two concurrent sessions: one for adults and one for children ages 7 to 11. Through photos, video, and discussion, adults will learn how to identify and interpret dog body postures. This skill is invaluable in order to communicate more effectively with your own dog and to “read” dogs you encounter outside of the home. In a separate space, children will also learn how to interpret dog body language in a format suited just for them. The emphasis for children will be staying safe around dogs. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children 12 years and older can join the adult session. Instructors: Linda Case, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and Anna Lutgen from the CARE Center. Class meets Mar. 31.

Monday - 6:30 - 8:00 pm............................................................................ Lincoln Square Village

One session (1.5 hours).......................................................... $5 per person or $10 per household

GROOMING ESSENTIALS – Does your dog fear having his nails trimmed?> Are you finding it difficult to keep your cat’s coat mat-free? Come learn the basics of having a well-groomed pet from longtime volunteer groomer Brad Hudson, who helps keep humane society animals looking their best. Class meets Mar. 26.

Wednesday – 6:30 – 8:00 pm...................................................... ASPCA Office, Sunnycrest Mall

One session (1.5 hours)........................................................................................................... $5.00

JUST HOW SERIOUS IS IT? - What should you do when your pet is acting “funny” but doesn’t seem seriously ill? This session will help you to distinguish between normal conditions and those that may need veterinary attention. We will also discuss what type of information is most important for you to convey to your veterinarian to assist him or her in reaching an accurate diagnosis. This is an educational session and is not intended to give medical diagnosis or advice. Class meets Apr. 10.

Thursday - 6:30 - 8:00 pm........................................................... ASPCA Office, Sunnycrest Mall

One session (1.5 hours)........................................................................................................... $5.00

DOG PARKS AND DAYCARE: ASSESSING YOUR DOG & EVALUATING GROUP DYNAMICS - Dogs are social animals, and opportunities for dogs to mingle and play are readily available at local dog parks and daycare facilities. These venues can provide dogs with much-needed exercise and stimulation. So, off we go? Wait! Although dogs are social animals by nature, they are individuals, each with its own temperament, past experience, style of play, and tolerance level for other dogs. In this class, you will learn how to assess your dog’s potential for success in a group setting and how to evaluate dog-group behavior so that these activities remain fun and safe for all. This class is taught by the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center staff and is brought to you by the CARE Center. Class meets Apr. 30.

Wednesday - 6:30 - 8:00 pm....................................................... ASPCA Office, Sunnycrest Mall

One session (1.5 hours)........................................................................................................... $5.00

SELECTING THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOU: ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATION - Thinking of adding a puppy or adult dog to your family? The CARE Center will walk you through the steps of finding a companion that suits your lifestyle. After you complete our lifestyle survey, we’ll arrange a consultation to discuss your needs and make suggestions for finding, living with and caring for the perfect dog for you and your family. All members of your household ten years or older are encouraged to participate in the survey and to attend the consultation; younger participants are welcome.

Date and Time Arranged.......................................................................................................... UAE

Per Consultation...................................................................................................................... $5.00

DOG TRAINING - Learn to communicate more effectively with your dog in a relaxed environment using positive methods that make training fun for you and your dog. Clicker training methods will be discussed and class participants will have the option of using a clicker. The focus of this seven-week course is on basic skills that encourage your dog to behave appropriately inside and outside the home. You will learn how to teach your dog to turn to his name, watch, sit, down, walk on a loose leash, come, stay, give, and leave it. Skills such as accepting handling, greeting people without jumping up, and playing safely are also discussed. Dogs must be 5 months or older and each dog’s primary handler must be at least 15 years of age. Dogs must have received a veterinary health exam in the last year and be current on their vaccinations. The first session is an orientation without dogs. Please specify section when enrolling. Instructor: Susan Helmink.

Sect. 1-Mon., Jan. 28, 6:30 - 7:30 pm (class will meet Feb. 18)............... Lincoln Square Village

Sect. 2-Mon., Apr. 7, 6:30 - 7:30 pm.......................................................... Lincoln Square Village

7 sessions (7 hours) .............................................................................................................. $85.00

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN (CGC) PREP - This an intermediate level class for dogs who have successfully completed a beginner and/or puppy class. The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program was developed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) to promote the dog as a respected member of the community by learning to act mannerly in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs. The CGC test includes 10 steps such as accepting a friendly stranger, walking on a loose leash, and staying in place. All ten steps will be addressed in this seven-week course with the test given at the final class. This is a preparatory class - owners may desire to repeat the course until their dog successfully completes the test. Dogs must be 5 months or older and the dog’s primary handler must be at least 15 years of age. Dogs must have received a veterinary health exam in the last year and be current on their vaccinations; owners must bring proof of vaccination to the first class. All dogs must be on leash - a nylon or leather leash is recommended. A retractable lead or long line and a brush or comb are also needed. Dogs attend the first week of class. Class begins Jan. 28. Instructor: Susan Helmink.

Monday - 8:00 - 9:00 pm............................................................................ Lincoln Square Village

7 sessions (7 hours)............................................................................................................... $85.00

PUPPY SOCIALIZATION & TRAINING - Start your puppy off on the right paw! This seven-week course offers your puppy the opportunity to interact with other puppies and meet new people in a relaxed yet controlled environment. Emphasis is on creating positive experiences for your puppy during this important socialization period. Basic skills such as sit, down, come, walk on a loose leash will be taught using positive methods that make training fun for you and your puppy. Clicker training methods will be discussed and class participants will have the option of using a clicker. Topics such as handling, feeding, house training, and keeping your puppy busy while you are at home or away will be discussed. This class is for puppies 2 to 5 months of age and each puppy’s primary handler must be at least 15 years of age. Older puppies of smaller breeds allowed on a case-by-case basis. Puppies must have received a veterinary health exam and a minimum of two vaccinations (DHLPP) prior to the first class meeting, which is an orientation without puppies. Class begins Apr. 7. Instructor: Susan Helmink.

Monday - 8:00 - 9:00 pm............................................................................ Lincoln Square Village

7 sessions (7 hours)............................................................................................................... $85.00