Jamie Gibbs had her 9-week-old puppy Willow for less than two weeks when she brought the rescue dog to the Waukegan Park District’s puppy obedience class. She was still completing the registration forms when teacher Karin Magnuson told the humans to start walking the pups.
Gibbs said it was the first time Willow had been attached to a leash. It took some attention from Magnuson with treats in hand to help Willow become more comfortable. Magnuson laid a treat on the floor a few inches away to help Willow adjust.
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“We use treats as part of the training,” she said. “We want to make sure they are comfortable on a leash. It leads to better behavior in public.”
Willow is Gibbs’ third dog she has brought to the class. It has always been beneficial, she said.
“Everyone needs a home,” Gibbs said, explaining her reason for adopting rescue dogs. “It’s important to give them training at first. A trained dog will always have a home.”
Gibbs and Willow were among the students in the latest edition of the Waukegan Park District’s dog obedience training class for puppies on Thursday at the Belvidere Recreation Center in Waukegan, making humans and canines more comfortable together.
Jennifer Dumas, the Park District’s manager of general and special recreation, said the puppy program is one of several dog obedience classes it runs. The puppy class is for dogs from 8 weeks to 5 months of age. It allows them to socialize as well as learn good behavior.
A basic program is for dogs from 5 months or older, where they learn more advanced skills. An advanced program is offered for those who have taken the first two courses. Dumas said there are also specialty classes, like relay races and scent training. It is as much for the owners as the dogs.
“They learn how to train and respond to their animal,” she said. “They learn how to walk them so they behave when they are out in the community.”
Nelly Pelcastre brought her puppy Whiskey to the class. She said she was eager for him to learn and be with some other dogs. Only a few weeks old, this was the dog’s first venture outside the house.
“He’s a little insecure,” Pelcastre said. “He’ll get a chance to play with other dogs. I want him to learn manners. I want him to be a nice dog and listen to me.”
A rectangle of rug runner was set up in the room, on which participants walked their dogs and did other things when Magnuson gave instructions, like having the puppies sit. Some were learning to have their dog heel. There were bathroom breaks for the animals.
Retired from a 34-year career doing government work, Magnuson said she is in her 28th year teaching the obedience classes for the Park District. She owns Dobermanns, has trained them over the years and shows them. Her 20-month-old was waiting in a kennel for the basic class to follow.
With the puppies, Magnuson has her students teach their dogs how to sit, walk properly with a leash and do other basic skills on command. She also assigns homework, and expects it to be done before they return the following week.
“The puppies need to recall what they learn,” she said. “The owners have to reinforce what they do here. They need to practice what they are doing here at home.”
Learning to use a leash with a dog is also part of the class. Magnuson said the leash is held with the left hand. While not everyone does it, the tradition is an old one with the safety of the dog and others in mind.
“It goes back to when hunters had their hunting dogs,” she said. “Most were right-handed and held their gun in their right hand. They used the left hand for the leash so they wouldn’t accidently shoot the dog.”