The Courteous Canine

Introduction: My name is Pat Sullivan, and I am the sole proprietor of The Courteous Canine, a new Siler City based dog training company. I work with owners to train their dogs in a humane, reward-based fun way. Whether in private sessions or group classes, I teach owners how to better communicate with their dogs and how to get their dogs to listen and learn. Dogs love to learn, be it a pesky pup or out-of-control adult dog, especially when done in a fun and rewarding way. There is no dog that is too young or too old to learn new ways of doing things. I have been working with dogs and their owners for 20 years. I taught puppy and adult obedience classes at the New England Dog Training Club in Cambridge, MA, for seven years and was the Club's training director for four years. After moving to Siler City in 2009, I began working with owners and their dogs privately on home management and behavioral issues. Three years ago, I began teaching basic dog obedience and canine good citizen classes at Central Carolina Community College's Pittsboro and Sanford campuses. I am an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and offer the testing at the end of my CGC classes. I have trained some of my own dogs through Canine Good Citizen and Novice Obedience titles, and I continue to keep up with my education in the field of canine behavior and training by attending seminars given by leaders in the field. Each class will meet for six one-hour weekly sessions. Here are some classes that are being offered. Puppy kindergarten is for puppies eight weeks to five months of age. Get your new four-legged family member off to a good start! We cover socialization, begin the foundational skills for the well-mannered puppy and the basics of dog training for the puppy owner! Material includes sit, down, stay, come, attention games, loose-leash walking, puppy behavior, good manners, self-control and safety issues. Housebreaking and home management and problem behaviors also will be addressed. Bring your questions. This class makes the puppy's first introduction to obedience training non-stressful and fun. The AKC S.T.A.R puppy certificate program (puppy version of Canine Good Citizen Program) will be offered as part of our puppy kindergarten. Beginner obedience is for dogs over five months of age with no formal training. This class covers controlled walking and the sit, down, stay and come commands, as well as deal with common problem behaviors. Owners learn how to train their dogs to be better pets and respectful family members using positive, reward based methods. In this way, owners and their dogs develop a special bond and trusting relationship. Owners learn to handle the leash, give commands and praise and use food as a reward. Home management issues are also addressed. This class is especially helpful for new owners of rescue or shelter dogs. Canine good citizen classes is a class that prepares students and their dogs to take the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen Test (offered at the last class). AKC's CGC is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs.