[PretzelPark] Press Release from the Pennsylvania SPCA

Wed Feb 18 11:19:03 EST 2009

Hello, Pretzel Park! 

Please find the following press release from the Pennsylvania SPCA
(PSPCA). I work at the PSPCA, and I'm also a Manayunk resident - along
with my 4 dogs! We love Pretzel Park!

The spring schedule for the PSPCA's low-cost training classes is now
posted and we're accepting applicants.

Most notably, we're offering a Canine Good Citizen course and test FREE
to all Pit Bulls and Pit Bull Mixes. This is part of our efforts to
promote responsible dog ownership, particularly among Pit Bull owners.

We thought your constituents and partners might be interested in this,
so I wanted to pass along the info.

Contact me any time with questions or comments, I'm happy to help. Have
a good day, and see you at the park!

Kim

Kim Wolf

Public Relations Assistant, The Pennsylvania SPCA

350 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134

Office: (215) 426-6304, ext. 224

Mobile: (215) 528-3048

Email: kwolf at pspca.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:

Kim Wolf

Public Relations Assistant, PSPCA

215-426-6304 ext. 224 (office)

kwolf at pspca.org <mailto:kwolf at pspca.org> 

Spring into a New Class at the PSPCA

PSPCA Philadelphia Adoption Center Now Enrolling Students for Spring
Classes

PHILADELPHIA, February 17, 2009- The sun is shining, the birds are
singing, and classes are in session at the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA)!
And along with the warm weather comes a brand new addition to our
curriculum: Canine Good Citizen Training. 

The Canine Good Citizen award, or CGC as it is frequently called, is
sanctioned by the American Kennel Club. Started in 1989, CGC is a
certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good
manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is
a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners
and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs that pass the 10-step CGC test
receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. Many dog owners use
the CGC test as a pre-requisite to having their dogs certified as a
Therapy Dog. More information on the CGC test can be found at the AKC's
website at: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm
<http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm> .

Whether you have a behaviorally challenged pooch that needs complete
obedience training or one that just needs help conquering a specific
training challenge, the PSPCA's "Good Dog-U" obedience training program
can put your dog at the head of the class. "Good Dog-U classes," held at
the PSPCA's Philadelphia Adoption Center at 350 E. Erie Avenue, are
designed to teach owners how to communicate with their canine companions
in positive and results-oriented ways. Courses, ranging from one-day
seminars to six-week programs, include the following: 

*         PUP-101: Puppy Kindergarten Class (six sessions):

Start your puppy off on the right paw with this class designed to teach
basic commands including sit, down, stay, come, and leave-it; polite
leash manners; and greetings with people and other dogs. We will also
incorporate basic agility training in order to build confidence in and
have fun with our pups. This class is open to all dogs under six months
of age and small breed dogs (adult weight under 35 pounds) under nine
months of age. 

Date:   Wednesdays at 6:30 pm (March 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29)

Professor: Nicole Larocco 

      OR

Date:     Saturdays at 10 am (March 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2)

Professor: George Todt

Tuition: $55 ($50 for PSPCA members)

*         DOG-101: Adult Basic (six sessions):

This adult basic class is designed to teach your adult or adolescent dog
foundation-level obedience commands including sit, down, stay, come, and
leave-it; polite leash manners; and greetings with people and other
dogs. Problem solving and troubleshooting for basic nuisance behaviors
will be addressed as needed. We will also incorporate basic agility
training in order to build confidence in and have fun with our dogs.
Treats and positive reinforcement techniques are used to teach your dog
good manners. This class is open to all dogs over six months of age.  

Date:  Wednesdays at 7:45 pm (March 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29)

Professor:  Nicole Larocco 

            OR

Date:  Saturdays at 11:30 am (March 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2)

Professor:  Dan Meller

Tuition:  $55 ($50 for PSPCA members)

*         MAN-101: "Easy & Off!"(one session)

When out for a walk, does your dog walk you instead of you walking him?
Does your pup have a hard time controlling her exuberance when visitors
come over? This informative seminar will teach your dog how to walk on
the leash without pulling and how to greet visitors without jumping all
over them. During class, students will have the opportunity to practice
many repetitions of leash-walking and polite greeting supervised by our
training instructors. Suggestions for proper training collars and tools
will be made on a case-by-case basis. Dogs must be at least four months
of age, current on vaccines, and friendly towards other dogs and people.

Date:   Saturday, April 4

Professor:  Dave Leichter

Tuition:  $10

*         MAN-102: "Come!" (one session)

Is your dog too busy chasing squirrels at the park to come when you call
him? Maybe you can't call your dog away from another dog while on walks?
Or perhaps your precious pooch ignores your calls, even in the house?
This class will offer tips and tricks to help you solidify your dog's
"come" command, even when they are distracted. Participants will have
opportunities to practice many repetitions of "come" supervised by
training instructors. Dogs must be at least four months of age, current
on vaccines, and friendly towards other dogs and people.  

Date:  Saturday, April 18

Professor:  Dave Leichter

Tuition:  $10

*         MAN-104: "Home Alone & Housebreaking" (one session)

Does your precious pup turn into a terror when you leave him alone in
the house? Are you having trouble housebreaking your new puppy? Your dog
might be struggling with separation anxiety. This informative, one-hour
session will offer you tips and advice on leaving your dog home alone so
that your house is intact when you get back. There will be ample time
for questions, so come prepared. Friendly dogs are welcome to join the
class as long as they are at least 4 months of age and current on
vaccinations.  

Date:   Saturday, May 2

Professor:  Dave Leichter

Tuition:  $10

*         DOG-102: Canine Good Citizen Preparation Class & Test

This class will prepare your dog to take the American Kennel Club's
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test or Therapy Dog International
certification. We will practice all the exercises included on the test.
During the final session on May 11, participants will take the CGC test
for certification. * Pre-requisite: PUP-101; DOG-101; or comparable.

Dates: Mondays at 6:30 pm (March 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27; May 4)

Professor:  Nicole Larocco

Tuition:  $75; Pit Bulls and Pit Bull Mixes may attend and test for
free!

*         DOG-102A: Canine Good Citizen Test

Show the world how wonderful your dog is by completing the American
Kennel Club's (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. All dogs that pass
the test will receive a special tag for their collar and a CGC patch.
They will also have their names listed in the record books of the AKC's
CGC archives. All dogs are invited to take the class; they are not
required to have attended classes here. Please call (215) 426-6304, ext.
259, for an appointment and further details.

Date:  Monday, May 11 - by appointment

Evaluator:  Beth Strecker

Tuition:  $25; Pit Bulls and Pit Bull Mixes may test for free!

"Good Dog-U" class sizes are limited and pre-registration is required.
For more information on all PSPCA courses and to enroll, log on to 
www.pspca.org <http://www.pspca.org> ; call the "Good Dog-U" Registrar
at (215) 426-6304, ext. 259; email training at pspca.org
<mailto:training at pspca.org> ; or stop by PSPCA's Philadelphia Adoption
Center (350 E. Erie Avenue in Philadelphia) weekdays between 1:00 and
8:00 pm or weekends between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Please include your
name, phone number, and the course you are in which you want to
register. 

The Pennsylvania SPCA is dedicated to rescuing animals from abuse and
neglect, providing lifesaving care and treatment, guaranteeing a home
for every adoptable animal, and reducing pet-overpopulation through
low-cost spay-and-neuter clinics and public awareness initiatives.
Through these efforts, we prevent cruelty towards animals and promote
respect for their welfare, thus enhancing the lives of people and their
companion animals throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Headquartered in
Philadelphia, PSPCA has satellite shelters in Wellsboro, Centre Hall,
Danville, and Montrose. The Philadelphia branch houses a full-service
animal hospital, obedience training academy, adoption facility and the
PSPCA Law Enforcement Department, which is responsible for enforcing
Philadelphia and Pennsylvania animal cruelty laws. For more information,
call 215-426-6300 or visit www.pspca.org.

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