Registration has come to a close for the Complete K9 workshop.
Happening May 5 & 6 at Memorial Hall, the workshop is being presented by the talented owner of Just Fur Paws Dog Grooming & Training and friends.
A two-day intensive dog training and education program is geared at training dogs of all ages, starting at six months old.
"With dogs from six month olds to three years old registered, we have a wide variety of ages," said Andrea Ewen, owner of Just Fur Paws. "It will be a good experience for everyone to start at the very beginning."
The short course teaches manners in and out of the home, clicker basics, health, nutrition and grooming, problem solving, tricks and much more fun.
"Right now we have eight, and we have two pending with their entries in the mail, 10 is our maximum, so we are completely full."
Registered participants include owners and pets from Estevan, Oxbow, Stoughton and Carlyle. The dog breeds include a Palm Yorkie, Boston Terrier, Lab, Pit Bull, Chow cross Rottie, Maltese and Poodle.
"I have been training since I was little. Well, my dad had hunting dogs," explains McEwen. "I've been involved with the Kennel Club probably over eight years. That's in Brandon. I'm still a member there. Also I am a member of the Canadian Kennel Club and the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers. Stephanie is a registered animal health technician. She is the one also helping me with the seminar. We've both been training dogs since we were small."
Unfortunately, Andrea's dog Audris broke her paw at a herding trial, so she will be unable to show off all of her tricks. She will still be there for support and come out, get a treat and say hi.
"I do have my parent's puppy that I am training. Right now it's difficult cause he doesn't want to go out and get wet," said McEwen."It'll be nice to show people the growth between the little one and dogs that have multiple obedience titles on them like Audris and Steph's two dogs, because we started them when they were that little and rambunctious."
After already having more inquiries about future training sessions, a waiting list has been made and the team is hoping to put more events on in the late summer or early fall. She plans on trying to branch out and go to Estevan and Weyburn so that people who were leery about making the trip will show up.
"This is our first time doing a two-day seminar. We've done classes and things like that, you know 6 week training. This will be a good start to see what people are needing more of and what we can cross off because people are already excelling at."
The seminar will not only include serious training, but also a few goofy games including Musical Mats and Snoopy Says.
"The biggest thing for us really is giving people the tools to be successful with their dogs. I mean we can train dogs over and over and over again, but you're only going to be successful if you take those tools home and continue working on them," she instructs. "You can't just do a two-day seminar and think your dog will be trained"
As for what the participants should bring to Memorial Hall on Saturday, McEwen had a few suggestions.
"Bring your favourite toy to the event, that is key. We have a special toy that we put away and only comes out for training with our dogs. They get really pumped about it."
Gift bags have been put together for everyone and include little training packets. A special training trail mix will also be on sale.
When asked about her hopes and dreams for the near future McEwen says she would like to open an off leash park for dogs in the neighbourhood.
"Carlyle and area doesn't really have a dog community per say. I'd like to be able to bring all these people together and start going for walks. Maybe some day we can start an off leash park here, or have a fenced in area on my property for some of the dogs to do agility," she concluded.
