Have a good dog? Want a great dog? Then take your favorite pooch over to the Metamora Canine Academy, right in the heart of historic downtown Oxford.
Since opening at 14 N. Washington in October 2001 more than 300 dogs have attended classes at this canine institution of higher learning.
According to owner Lisa Farlin, Metamora Canine Academy specializes in teaching ‘basic (canine) obedience on a practical level.?
‘Our focus is on everyday living with the dog, training the family dog,? she said. ‘Teaching the dog not to jump on people, to stay when company comes to the front door, to walk on the leash without pulling, basic good canine manners.?
‘In weekly classes, canine pupils learn basic commands such as ‘come, stay, sit, down, let’s go (walking without pulling, on the leash), settle and off.?
‘We teach owners how to teach their dogs,? she said. ‘Training a dog takes more than one hour a week. It has to be practiced in the home, in the backyard and while walking. During the one-hour session, we teach the owners the new (command) words and actions and how to apply them. Then they practice them with their dogs throughout the week.?
The approach is simple: 1) Come to class; 2) Do your homework; 3) Results are guaranteed.
The weekly classes are not just limited to the dog’s immediate owner. ‘Children are welcome with the family dog,? Farlin said. ‘We encourage anyone who lives with the dog to participate in the class.?
All enrolled dogs, regardless of previous training, start at the beginner level so everyone is ‘on the same page,? Farlin said. To ensure that owners and their dogs get the ‘individual attention? they truly deserve, Farlin limits class sizes to 10 dogs plus their families.
Once a dog has completed one of the start-up levels, he or she can move onto the ‘intermediate, advanced and outdoor? levels which involve handling the dog in public, dealing with distractions such as other dogs and people, and commanding dogs from a distance.
Farlin said the Metamora Canine Academy is also now offering ‘Agility Training,? which she described as a ‘growing competitive sport? in which owners maneuver their dogs through a series of obstacles such as tunnels, tire jumps and weave poles. Agility Training is available on Monday nights to those dogs which have graduated from the beginning and intermediate classes. ‘It’s been a huge success and a lot of fun,? Farlin said.
Classes meet Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 10 and 11 a.m. Classes meet once a week for six consecutive weeks. Tuition is $225 per six-week course.
In case anyone is wondering why a place called the Metamora Canine Academy is located in Oxford, it’s because the business originated in and is based in Metamora at 3906 Hunters Creek Road.
In Metamora, Farlin owns 20 acres of full training and boarding facilities complete with 27 spacious, climate-controlled kennels and covered outdoor runs. This is where the dogs attend the ‘Off-Leash Obedience Program.?
Under the ‘Off-Leash Obedience Program,? dogs and their owners learn an eleven word vocabulary that will enable them to go anywhere, anytime, without the need of a leash.
With spring and summer right around the corner, class registrations are increasing. ‘The off-leash training has really taken off this year,? Farlin said.
Farlin said she’s receiving a growing number of referrals from local veterinarians who see the value of this type of training for developing healthy, happy relationships between dogs and their individual owners and/or families.
Farlin also wanted to express her appreciation to all the downtown merchants who’ve invited the academy’s classes into their establishments. ‘It’s great for their training to be able to interact with people in real life situations,? she said.
Metamora Canine Academy wants to remove the frustration of an untrained dog and share the fun and pride of having a well-trained canine companion for life.
If you have a good dog, that’s fine. But if you want a great dog, enroll at Metamora Canine Academy.
For more information about Metamora Canine Academy call (810) 724-1142.