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From the Des Moines Register:
Canine Craze offers agility training, day care
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Emotional Recover is Key to the Future Success of New Orlean's Displaced AnimalsFrom the Des Moines Register:
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Published in the Des Moines Register
May 2, 2007Canine Craze offers agility training, day care
By Joanne Boeckman, Register Staff Writer
Canine Craze may be proof that dog owners have an interest in services that make their relationship with their pets more fun.The Urbandale business, which offers doggy care, training and special events, has expanded greatly since it was founded in owner Scott Jetter's back yard in 2000.
Three weeks ago Jetter, 36, and co-owner Joey Iversen, 52, saw the finishing touches go into an 8,000 square-foot performance center - with a flooring of recycled rubber that cushions paws - and its obstacle course of things to jump over and crawl through.
It provides the setting for agility training. At various times of the year, Jetter and Iversen can push aside the obstacles to make space for a special event such as their Puppy New Year's Eve party, annual Fur Ball and fireworks-free July 4th party.
The performance center adjoins a 4,000 square-foot space for day care and another 2,500 square-foot space for obedience training.
From its beginnings as an agility training business, Canine Craze grew into - and out of - a facility behind Iowa Pet Foods on 22nd Street in West Des Moines. It was there from June 2004 to October 2005, when it moved to its current location at 104th Street and Justin Drive in Urbandale.
Canine Craze employs four full-time people, including Iversen and Jetter, two part-time dog-care workers and several trainers.
Iversen talked to us about Canine Craze.
Q. What is your goal at Canine Craze?
A. We offer formal obedience training, agility and animal-assisted therapy. We want to help people build a bond with their dog and address problem behaviors. We focus on dogs learning good behavior and good interactions.
Training is play. That's how we see it, whether it's learning appropriate behavior or the skills to run the agility course.
A big focus I have is that if we can start puppies off the right way with obedience training, we can avoid problems down the road.
Q. This facility is set up for agility training. What is that?
A. It's a sport where dogs can perform in competition on a course of 15 to 20 obstacles with a specified route. The dog's handler gives directional cues of where the dog should go. They're judged on completing it the fastest and with no faults.
We're thinking of having some fun matches here (in the new performance event center), but our space is not large enough to hold trials. We are working on offering trials outside.
Q. How long are the obedience classes and how many dogs are in each one?
A. One hour a week for six weeks. Classes for puppies are 1hours so they have time for play interaction and exercise. We also give homework every week and encourage owners to work with their dogs. The more little bits of practice they have, the more they learn and when skills are practiced, they get really good at them.
We usually have six to eight dogs per class. Sessions start at $105.
Q. How many dogs live with you?
A. I have three Black Russian Terriers.
Q. What percentage of those who sign up for obedience classes go on to sign up for the agility classes?
A. A big percentage. All ages, children, seniors - the whole gamut. It's a sport almost anyone can do. It has a big appeal, it's fun and active.
Q. What is animal-assisted training?
A. Animal-assisted activity, or interactions that don't involve therapists, is nursing home visitations, hospital visitations, schools.
Animal-assisted therapy is where there is often a physical, speech or occupational therapist. In those cases, the dog is involved in accomplishing specific therapy goals.
I am officially certified by the Delta Society to do animal-assisted therapy training. Tests include testing the temperament of the dog and the handlers skill at advocating for the dog.
Q. Do you do any of animal-assisted activity or therapy?
A. Yes. (My dog) Pirate and I volunteer at Orchard Place with a reading program, at Pace and Childserve.
I'm also part of a team that uses the concept of agility to accomplish goals with teens. I direct the teams (of dog, handler and teen) through various exercises that involve agility. The kids are working on therapy goals such as speech and occupational therapy.
We're in our second 10-week session and this is very new. I love the training aspect and being creative in using the skills of the handler and dog to accomplish goals.
Q. Now that you have the performance center open, what is one event you plan to offer?
A. We have our third annual Canine Olympics coming up June 9. We have all kinds of fun, silly crazy competitions like a pie-eating contest for dogs and their humans and Fear Factor Feast with a number of edible things. Dogs and their humans have to eat them within 10 seconds, but the dog goes first. There's also a triathlon with three events for dogs. People can sign up by calling us or checking our Web site, beginning May 15.
Q. What about the day care?
A. That started about four years ago. We offer it full time, but most people bring their dogs one to three days a week.
Introducing the dog to day care is very important. They have to enjoy it and have the skills to play with other dogs.
That's $20 a day or we sell prepaid package options.
