Game Dog Guardian. It’s Our Turn To Fight For Them.

*See dogs in action at Pit Bull E.D.U. class on the news here.*

Pit Bull EDU is an educational training class for owners, foster parents and shelter guardians of bully breed dogs in the Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City metro areas.

*NOTE: Pit Bull EDU classes are not for dogs who have serious behavioral issues or exhibit human aggression.  If you are having severe behavioral problems with your dog, contact a canine behaviorist in your area or our Pit Bull EDU Head Trainer.

EDUCATION

As important as it is to train your dog to “sit,” it is equally important to learn what life is like now that you have a canine member of your family.  Learning about dog behavior, dog care, and dog safety is vital to keeping your family happy and together.   Pit Bull EDU will educate you on living a quality life with a dog, teach you how to live safely with a dog, and will give you activities that suit your dog’s energy level and compliment his or her natural abilities.

DISCIPLINE

Discipline means “activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; or training,” and developing skills and training is important to any household with a dog.  Pit Bull EDU concentrates on improving the abilities and decreasing the limitations of each individual dog.  Our training class will teach basic obedience and dog handling, as well as positive lifestyle choices for you and your new pet.  Our goal is to ensure you have good communication, establish consistency, and have a solid base for expanding training with your bully breed dog.  Your dog will graduate with basic obedience including “sit,” “down,” “heel,” “leave it,” and recall skills.

UNDERSTANDING

So you just brought home the cutest little mixed breed dog…did you know your dog could be prohibited in certain metro areas simply for having short hair and a broad chest?  Pit Bull EDU will give you insight into the many breeds that shelters and rescues often identify as “pit bulls” and will educate you on the history of those breeds.  The discrimination you face as a “pit bull” owner can be overwhelming.  Understanding the public’s perception of you and overcoming the prejudices you may face is important to keeping your family happy and safe.  Our team has over 20 years of combined experience with bully breeds and can help you understand how to push through the trying times as a bully breed owner.  Whether you’re moving, having dinner guests over, taking your dog to the pet store for a treat, boarding your dog, or simply walking down the street, being prepared for interactions with the public will help you become an effective advocate for your dog.

Check out photos from prior Pit Bull E.D.U. classes here!

Check out the GDG video from the 2010 classes here!

THE TEAM

Shannon Wells – Head Trainer

Shannon@gamedogguardian.com

Shannon studied at the Tom Rose School for Professional Dog Trainers where she learned to train pet dogs, working dogs, and sporting dogs.  In addition to obedience training, Shannon provides behavior assessments and assists clients with behavior modification including using the Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT) Model.  Shannon has traveled all over the country evaluating dogs seized in dog fighting and other animal cruelty seizures for final disposition in the criminal prosecution case.  Shannon works with all breeds and especially enjoys training her Belgian Malinois in a variety of dog sports including agility, dock diving, and tracking.  Shannon has been active in local and regional animal legislation for eight years, including serving as the co-chair of the Canine Legislation Conference 2007, in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Anthony Barnett – Assistant Trainer

Anthony@gamedogguardian.com

Anthony is the Founder and Director of Game Dog Guardian.  He successfully completed the Triple Crown Academy for Professional Dog Trainers distance education course.  Anthony is a member of the Douglas County Animal Response Team and owner of a local business.  He manages large dog packs and evaluates dogs for temperament and disposition.  Anthony also evaluates and shelters dog fighting and cruelty seizure dogs for local humane societies, law enforcement and regional rescue organizations, particularly bully breed dogs.   

Contact our Program Coordinator, Alexandra (pbedu@gamedogguardian.com) if you are interested in enrolling in Pit Bull EDU. Please send your prefered location and your name along with your dog's name and she will get you enrolled!

SESSIONS

SUMMER SESSION ENROLLMENT IS OPEN!

LAWRENCE, KS: Each session is six weeks in length and takes place every Monday night at the Douglas County (KS) Fairgrounds in Building 21, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Summer Session Orientation: June 17, 2013

Summer classes: June 24 - July 22
 

KANSAS CITY, MO: Each session is six weeks in length and takes place every Tuesday night at the Kansas City Missouri Shelter/Kansas City Pet Project, 4400 Raytown Rd., Kansas City, MO 64129, from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Summer Session Orientation: June 18, 2013

Summer Classes: June 25 - July 23

Classes made free of charge through a grant from Best Friends Animal Society, huge thank you!