Problems of dog adopting and dog obedience classes

One of the problems of adopting a dog is getting it to do what the owner wants.

That is why FUR-ever Friends is offering dog obedience classes at the Fort Morgan Veterinary Clinic beginning Saturday, April 12.

Classes will run from 11 a.m. to noon for puppies and 1 to 2 p.m. for adult dogs. Puppies must be at least 6 months old. The lessons will last for five weeks on each Saturday, said founder Betty Eubanks.

There will be a one-week break in the schedule to allow FUR-ever Friends to offer dogs and cats for adoption at the Fort Morgan Area Chamber of Commerce Spring Expo May 3-4, she said.

Veterinarian Chuck Thimmig will be on hand at the expo to give people a chance to ask about pet health issues, Eubanks said.

“He plans to be there all day,” she said.

Pat Finley, who began dog training six years ago, will conduct the obedience classes.

Finley has been involved with dogs a long time. Finley showed a dog that placed No. 8 in its breed class at the National Obedience class in 1988 and showed the No. 9 dog in its breed class at the nationals in 1999, Eubanks said.

Finley also showed in the breed ring in 2000 and placed fourth in the division at the national competition, Eubanks said.

Finley will give demonstrations during the Spring Expo, she said. Fort Morgan Animal Shelter employees and a Brush animal control officer will be on hand at the expo to answer questions, too.

Eubanks said FUR-ever Friends has adopted out 211 pets in the past nine months — 70 percent were spayed or neutered, all had their first shots and 250 animals have had identification microchips inserted.

“All pets that we place with a family at our showcase go with certificates allowing at least a $30 grant for spaying and neutering and a certificate for microchipping,” Eubanks said.

“We have helped so many local residents with finding homes for their ‘unplanned puppies,’ dogs they need to find homes for — and with paychecks buying less, many dogs and cats which need to go because of the economy,” she said. “I am sure there have to be many fewer pets being ‘dumped.’

“We still believe that adoption is the solution ... to solve the overcrowding at shelters and pets dumped in the country,” Eubanks said.