– by Lara Gladych –
When you think “puppy training,” Panorama Recreation Centre hopes you’ll remember that they run classes year round not only for all your human family members, but for any furry additions too. I was recently in touch with Heather Barron, of baby dog. She is the trainer who designs and operates the puppy training classes for Panorama.
Who is your target audience? Who do you invite to come to class?
Puppy parents that have pups under 8 months of age. We strongly encourage first time puppy owners to join us because we can help sort through all the contradictory advice they’ve probably been given. The puppy’s immediate family members above the age of 12 are invited to attend our classes.
What is the goal of puppy training, how does it improve the quality of life with a dog?
Puppy training classes show dog owners how to teach their dogs to be patient and make better decisions. Puppies tend to be impulsive, but they are conscious decision makers with an incredible capacity to learn and adapt. Proper training should help build a bond between the dog and handler, and open two-way communication between them. Puppy training allows you to raise a reliable companion that you can take anywhere.
What’s the most rewarding outcome of puppy training for dog owners?
I think the most rewarding outcome for owners is understanding why certain techniques work for their dog, and why other techniques fail. It’s important to learn Principles over Procedures. If our client understands how their pup learns then they can start to get creative with their educational approach at home.
How do these classes further Panorama Recreation’s relationship with our community?
This program provides the community with a reputable source of safe training information in a judgment-free environment at an affordable price. Puppy owners of all ages and backgrounds come together based on a common interest, learn from each other and set up on-going puppy play dates. The customer service, client satisfaction and content-rich curriculum has established Panorama as a puppy-training leader in Greater Victoria.
What does a typical session look like in terms of cost, commitment, homework, etc?
I designed this program to be accessible and affordable for people with limited budgets. There is no start date, our classes run year-round every Sunday evening from 6 – 7 p.m., and there are no pre-requisites for any of the classes so clients can just drop in. Once you purchase a Puppy Training Pass, you are invited to attend whichever classes catch your interest and feel free to skip the rest. There is about an hour’s worth of homework for each class, which is automatically emailed to each client. That being said …”Training is a lifestyle, not an event”.
For more information on puppy training classes, or to purchase your puppy training pass, you can contact Panorama by phone at 250.656.7271, or visit them online www.crd.bc.ca/panorama.
