Free Workshops

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Your Dog's Friend sponsors FREE workshops throughout the year. Please check below the Adopter Workshops and The Dog-Eared Book Club descriptions for single-session workshops on a variety of topics. Although we love dogs, please leave yours at home. Demo dogs and service dogs are the only dogs allowed. After looking over the schedule below, please register here.

ADOLESCENCE – The Wonder Years
Sat, Feb 23, 1:30 – 3:30pm
St Luke's Episcopal Church, 6030 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD (Get Directions)
One of the least understood aspects of raising a puppy or rescuing a young dog is that dogs, like humans, go through ADOLESCENCE (6 months – 3 years). Your "perfect" puppy no longer listens, has regressed to old, unwanted behaviors, and is exhibiting new ones. And your rescue dog seems so … immature. This is when many people give up on their dogs and return them to shelters. This is also when some dog parents decide that their dog is trying to be dominant, and they try all sorts of inane things to show "who's boss". Our speaker will explain what to expect during your dog's adolescence and how to get through it, ending up with both your sanity and a great dog. Speaker: Lisa Colon, CPDT-KA (www.kissablecanine.com)

DOGS AT PLAY – in dog parks, day care or in your neighborhood

Sat, March 2, 1:30 – 3:30pm
St Luke's Episcopal Church, 6030 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD (Get Directions)

Did you ever wonder how dogs communicate when playing? How do they say "back off" or "I don't want to be here"? How does your dog feel if a fight breaks out nearby or if a new dog tries to join in? How do you know if dogs are just playing hard or bordering on aggression? Our speaker is a trainer and expert on dog play, author of Off-Leash Dog Play – a guide to safety and fun, as well as manuals and DVD's for day care staff. She will show you videos of how dogs communicate in play settings (both to other dogs and to us humans), while pointing out polite and rude greetings, breed-specific play styles, social gestures, and emotional states. Don't miss this rare opportunity to see the world as your dog does. Speaker: Robin Bennett, CPDT-KA (www.offleashdogplay.com).

CREATIVE BEHAVIOR OUTLETS
Sat, March 9, 1:30 – 3:30pm
St Luke's Episcopal Church, 6030 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD (Get Directions)
Boredom can and does lead to behavior issues. So, it's important to find mentally stimulating activities that are appropriate for your dog's breed and temperament. In this workshop, we will discuss behaviors stemming from boredom; identify high energy breeds; explore a variety of mentally stimulating activities, including suggestions tailored to the instincts of various breeds; and show appropriate and durable interactive toys, as well as creative ways to use them. Speaker: Leslie Clifton, CPDT-KA (www.lookwhaticandodogtraining.com)

DOG-EARED BOOK CLUB
See description of the book club and this selection at top of page.
Chase: Managing Your Dog's Predatory Instincts by Clarissa Von Reinhard
Sat, April 6, 10:00 – 11:30am NOTE: This is a MORNING workshop.

St Luke's Episcopal Church, 6030 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD (Get Directions)
Limited to 15 participants. Registration required.
(Our next book, in June, will be Do Over Dogs: Give Your Dog a Second Chance for a First Class Life by Pat Miller.)

MANAGING YOUR DOG'S BEHAVIOR
Sat, April 13, 1:30 – 3:30pm
St Luke's Episcopal Church, 6030 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD (Get Directions)
We dog parents tend to think of training as the solution to all problems. But what if there were simpler ways to prevent or solve our dog's issues? Or what if our training didn't work because we skipped a vital step? That's what we will be discussing in this workshop. You will leave with a much clearer understanding of when training is needed and, if it is, how to make that training more effective. Speaker: Pam Nashman, CPDT-KA (www.allaboutdogsinc.com)

CLICKER TRAIN YOUR DOG TO BEHAVE – The Clicker is Quicker!
Sat, April 27, 10:00am – noon NOTE: This is a MORNING workshop.
St Luke's Episcopal Church, 6030 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD (Get Directions)
Whether you have tried clicker training or only heard of it, we're sure you have questions. Our speaker, a trainer and instructor at Karen Pryor Academy, will teach you all the ins and outs of how to use the clicker. We will also do some myth-busting. Come see just how fast (and easy) clicker training works and how you can use it with your dog to teach manners or change a behavior! Speaker: Laurie Luck, CPDT-KA, Karen Pryor CTP (www.smartdoguniversity.com)

OVERCOMING YOUR DOG'S FEAR OF PEOPLE
Sun, May 5, 1:00 – 3:30pm NOTE: This is a SUNDAY workshop starting ½ hr. earlier than others.
St Luke's Episcopal Church, 6030 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD (Get Directions)
We will discuss strategies for overcoming your dog's fear of people – whether in your home or out in public – including family members or roommates; guests or workmen; neighbors or strangers; vets or groomers.  Learn to: identify when your dog is moving into a fearful state; help your dog in that moment; and work toward alleviating your dog's fears more permanently. Speaker: Jeni Grant, CPDT-KA (www.trainyourbestfriend.com)