Dog training class May 18

BONNERS FERRY — Mikkel Becker Shannon coauthor of The Ultimate Dog Lover  is holding a dog obedience class from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 18 to June 3 at Boundary County Fairgrounds.

The class cost $60 per dog for all six classes.  To register for the classes go to Second Chance Thrift Store.

Becker-Shannon will teach dogs new tricks, basic training commands and teach them to break old habits.

Becker-Shannon’s training focuses on when the dog does the right thing instead of when the dog does the wrong thing. 

“It is a cool technique, the dog actually thinks they are training you,” said Becker-Shannon.

Becker-Shannon said a dog is never too old or to young to learn the basic principals she teaches.

Becker-Shannon has published another book called the Ultimate Bird Lover.  This book joins The Ultimate Dog Lover,  The Ultimate Cat Lover and The Ultimate Horse Lover, all coauthored with Dr. Marty Becker, Gina Spadafori and Audrey Pavia.

She has also been viewed on a national  ABC News segment  called "The Pet Doctor with Dr. Marty Becker," where she does spots as a dog trainer and co-hosts with her father.

Becker-Shannon wants to peak the interest in the community about dog training and get  awareness out there.

According to Becker-Shannon  60 percent  of homes have pets, with 80 percent of them considering their pets a part of the family. 

Becker-Shannon believes that a critical component in saving the lives of so many dogs who are sheltered every year, is behavioral training.

“The dog training class I'm going to teach is absolutely critical for a dog's well being, especially considering that 6 million pets end up in shelters every year with 60 percent never making it out alive,”  Becker-Shannon said.