All the puppy and dogs in Lisa Freeman’s Dogs that Heel
& Heal classes received certificates. The six week classes ran from the
first of April through mid-May. Handlers and their dogs learned everything from
basic commands such as come and sit to more advanced techniques such as leave
it and staying with a safe stranger. On the final night of class there was a
test.
“All the pups and dogs in our three classes did very well,” Freeman says. “The
owners worked really hard. We had eight puppies in our AKC Star Puppy Class.
Six came to the last night of testing. All passed. Two of our puppies and six
of our dogs even passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test. Three are going
on to do pet therapy work, and one is being trained as a service dog.”
Sadly, a few of the dogs and handlers missed the last class.
Bill & Kelly Batchelor couldn’t make it due to a family
emergency. “I offered to mail their certificate to them,” Freeman said. “But Bill
wanted to show me what his Golden, Jagger could do.” Although Jagger should
have been in Freeman’s basic obedience class from the get-go, due to Bill’s
work schedule, he ended up with the more advanced group. “Jagger would barely
sit or obey any commands in the beginning and really pulled on the leash,”
Freeman said, “but Bill was very patient and persistent and by the end of
class, Jagger was sitting, heeling, staying, and on that last night he was even
downing on command!”
Needless to say, Jagger was voted “Most Improved” in
Freeman’s Advance Obedience Class, even though he wasn’t quite ready to pass
the CGC test.
“They are all such wonderful dogs and people,” Freeman said.
“If it was up to me, I’d pass them all. But there are strict guidelines for the
AKC CGC that as an evaluator I have to follow.”
Freeman will be offering more group classes in September and
hopes to include agility. In the meantime she is working privately with owners
on bad behaviors, aggression, bolting, and all levels of obedience, pet therapy,
and service dog training.
She will also be at the Owosso Bark Park one Saturday
each month for some free tips and training on how to make your dog safer and
free from aggression. For more information, please check out her website @ www.abusebites.com..
