Classes at the
We offer a variety of training and nutrition classes for residents and non-residents of Fox Valley. Please see the class descriptions below and join us for a class today!
Fox Valley Park District Training Classes
Angela Murray
Director of training
Angela has over 25 years of experience teaching canine parenting classes, private lessons and working with canine behavioral problems using up-to-date, force-free, fear free techniques. In 2009 and 2012 She became certified through the only national known council for professional dog trainers (ccpdt.org) and now teaches a college prep course for those interested in acquiring this certification. Angela has been a mentor for the Animal Behavior College & CATCH Training Academy and became a Nutritional Pet Care Specialist through DNM University in 2017. She believes in nurturing dogs to be physically and mentally healthy. In 1998 she was an intern that conducted observational canine research at Wolf Park in Battle Ground, IN, has served on the board of the Fox Valley Therapy Club and is an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Angela currently shares her home with her high school sweetheart, their two sons, two Australian Shepherds and a cat.
Meet Our Trainers
Valerie Popp
Certificate of completion from Waubonsee Community College
Jonelle Rueland
Certificate of completion from Waubonsee Community College
Sarah Majewski
Certificate of completion from Waubonsee Community College
Puppy Parenting – 12 week program
Schedule:
- 45 minutes per week for 12 weeks
- 4-30 minute off leash (if appropriate) puppy socialization
- One-hour health and wellness class without the puppy
Cost - $350
This innovative program will cover all aspects of raising a mentally and physically healthy canine good citizen. Puppies 11-16 weeks will learn appropriate social play, basic cues, how to use a soft mouth, not to jump, where to go to the bathroom and a safe place to rest. Puppy parents will learn how to teach their pups all of these things along with force-free, fear-free handling for the vet, how to nourish a dog’s body, provide appropriate chews and toys, management of inappropriate behavior, and navigating important decisions such as spay/neuter, healthcare, daycares, and dog parks.
Adolescent Dog Parenting- 6 week program
Schedule:
45 minutes per week for 6 weeks -
One-hour health and wellness class without the puppy -
Cost - $130
Many dogs are given up during this stage due to the lack of support and education that is needed to navigate common behaviors. Teenage dogs ages 6-12 months will be taught polite greeting, stay, not to pull on leash, impulse control, and basic cues. Adolescent parents will learn how to manage counter surfing, digging, talking back, and not listening along with providing appropriate mental and physical outlets for their teenage dog.
AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Prep Class
Cost - $120
Interested in doing therapy work with your dog? This class will go through all 10 steps needed to pass the CGC test. Passing this test is the first step to becoming a therapy dog team.
Puppy Social
Duration - 30 minutes
Puppies 11-16 weeks old
Cost - $15
Bring your 11-16 week old puppy to interact with toys, other puppies, people, obstacles and sounds. This is an unstructured supervised time for puppies to feel safe to explore with their families. Space is limited. Free to those enrolled in the puppy program.
Nutrition Classes
Shannon Witt
Director of Nutrition
Shannon Witt has worked in the pet industry for 18 years; she was a Veterinary Practice Manager for over 10 & has been feeding her dogs a raw diet for the last decade. After the cancer diagnosis of her 9 yr. old dog Bebe 2 years ago, she began formulating her own homemade raw diet & has watched her not only survive cancer but thrive and become healthier than she has been in years. Shannon has 3 certifications in Pet Nutrition & is currently working towards a Clinical Pet Nutrition certification as well as Homeopathy & Herbalism. She has a passion for helping dogs live their best, healthiest life possible & her dream is to see dogs return to their ancestral lifespan of 15 – 20 years, not the 8 – 11 they are currently expected to live.
“I think of nutrition like building a house. You cannot build a stable, sturdy house without a strong foundation. Nutrition is the foundation needed to build a strong, sturdy, resilient pet. You cannot make quality repairs to your house without the right tools. Nutritional components are the right tools to repair many illnesses, injuries & neurological issues.”
NUTRITION & OPTIMAL HEALTH FOR DOGS
Duration - 90 minutes
Cost - $40
Find out ways to improve your dog’s health & strengthen their immune system through diet. Learn how to decode their food bag, what’s missing nutritionally and what you can add to improve common health issues. If you’re seeing itchiness, ear infections, sensitive stomachs or other chronic health issues, discuss the reasons why & learn what you can do about it from a certified pet nutritionist.
HOME REMEDIES FOR YOUR DOG
Duration - 90 minutes
Cost - $35
We’ve all experienced a health concern with our dogs when the vet’s office is closed. Learn how to tell the difference between what’s an emergency & what can be treated at home until you can get an appointment. Discover what can be done daily to improve your dog’s immune system and what every day natural remedies should be included in your dog’s medicine cabinet. A different, make & take home remedy in each class!
GIRLS NIGHT OUT – HEALTHY TREAT MAKING FOR DOGS
Duration - 90 minutes
Cost - $35
Grab your family or friends for some fun while making healthy treats for your furry friends! Led by a Certified Pet Nutritionist, this class takes treats to a whole new level. Discover ways to incorporate whole foods as treat options, how to use your dog’s natural scavenging instincts to stimulate brain activity & curb behavioral issues. Make a treat recipe to complete at home by baking or freezing. All ingredients included. Some recipes may include oat flour or yogurt.
WANT TO FEED A RAW DOG FOOD DIET?
Duration - 2 Hours
Cost - $80
If you’re ready to start feeding your dog a raw food diet but not sure where to begin, this is the class for you! Learn what to look for at the pet food store or how to build your own balanced, biologically appropriate diet from a certified pet nutritionist. Find out ways to save money at meal time & at the vet’s office, as well as how to help your pet live a longer, happier life. Discover the many healthful reasons raw food is the right food. Classes to start May 2020
