ABOVE: Dog Manners Instructor Lori Espeland with her Irish Water Spaniel, Porter, and Rat Terrier, Eyecon. Submitted photo.

FAIRMONT — Calling all canines. Dog Manners classes are coming to Fairmont, taught by Dog Manners instructor Lori Espeland and offered through Fairmont Community Education and Recreation (CER). 
”For the love of dogs,” Espeland explained, regarding how it feels to offer these opportunities to area dog owners. “I’ve had different breeds, and each one is different and each one has to have different manners. The biggest thing that I enjoy seeing is the progression. From a dog who is afraid of its own tail to being a happy, healthy puppy, and then seeing people not having to think they’re at the end of their rope. I want to give them tools to take and succeed.”

Espeland is a Truman resident who has been a dog owner herself for years and has been training dogs since 2011, with many classes under her belt. Citing a vacancy for a dog trainer for Fairmont CER and per recommendation by fellow Truman residents, Espeland is interested in collaborating with Fairmont CER to introduce the opportunity to the Fairmont dog-owner community.

“We had some historical data… that the community was still interested in [dog training opportunities]. We received phone calls inquiring. It’s still a need in our community and something our community is looking for. We want to be community-minded and answer the needs of the community,” Fairmont CER Director, Stephanie Busiahn, said.

CER has offered dog trialing classes with success in the past as they were always well-attended. However, its former instructor has retired from the role so CER was waiting for someone interested to step up in order to be able to offer it again.

Espeland explained that there are many different Dog Manners classes, from basic to advanced training, based on the needs of both the owner and the dog, puppy or adult. Through various games and tasks, topics tackled include the ability to sit down, recall, refrain from jumping, deal with separation, being able to be present with other dogs, managing shyness or aggression and more.

“It just gives you a sense of security when you have a dog that is well-trained. It doesn’t matter what the level is or whatever, but they have to be able to take and feel comfortable with your dog anywhere. I think by doing Dog Manners, you’re giving your dog the best opportunity to be the best that it can be. That’s the way I look at it. Every dog is different,” Espeland pointed out.

She is yet to host her first class in Fairmont, but the receptions she’s received in other classes are a testament to dog owners’ attention to their dogs, their behaviors and their evolution.

“Oh, it’s the best thing. It’s exciting. I just think it’s exciting these people want to have good dogs,” Espeland said.

She said seeing the growth in dogs’ skills is a very rewarding part of what she does.

“Seeing that one person say, ‘My dog can’t do it, ‘ and it does,” Espeland shared. “It will do that. Depending on the situation, I’m going to work at proving that it can be done.”

“There’s a sense of accomplishment,” Busiahn said. “There are a lot of great takeaways. There are so many great benefits. It’s a great refresher. Many tips and tricks, and it’s an opportunity for socialization with the pet.”

The first Dog Manners class in Fairmont is slated to be held in the fall. For additional information and to keep an eye out for the Dog Manners classes, contact Fairmont CER at (507) 235-3141 or visit fairmont.k12.mn.us/o/cer.