Choosing a dog-training school can be almost as big a decision as choosing a school for your child. Each one has its own vibe and style, and it’s important to make sure that the school and instructor you choose work for you and your dog. Here are some things to consider. Who’s Teaching the Classes? Someone with great dog-training skills — an effective trainer — motivates dogs to want to learn! Good trainers understand that all dogs are individuals, so they have multiple ways to teach commands. As you’re observing a class, notice if the instructor spends equal time with each dog, uses different techniques for dogs who aren’t quite “getting it,” and has an upbeat demeanor even in the face of a training challenge. An instructor who mostly focuses on the quick learners in the group might not possess the skills to assist dogs who are struggling. … and great people skills. The trainer you choose will (hopefully) become a big part of your life—someone you’ll turn to for help in many dif...
The K9s on the Front Lines non-profit has helped train and place more than 150 service dogs with veterans since 2016 PORTLAND, Maine — It was a special day in Portland as veterans and their service animals graduated from training. The ceremony was part of K9s on the Front Line, which pairs veterans with rescues and trains the dogs to become service animals. "Working with the dogs that come from the shelters is really rewarding and you know, that kind of falsifies the old narrative that you can't teach an old dog new tricks," said vice president and co-founder of K9s on the Front Line Linda Murray. "The dogs and the veterans bring the best in out in each other and it's just about living." On Sunday afternoon, more than a dozen gathered at the Portland VFW for the graduation celebration. Sarafina and Lizzie were the two now service animals receiving a bone instead of a diploma. Both Sarafina and Lizzie were rescued and paired with Maine veterans. The vets ...