Spring 2008 Schedule

Call Urbana Adult Education at (217) 384-3530 to register.

Selecting the Right Dog for You: One-on-One Consultation
Thinking of adding a puppy or adult dog to your family? The CARE Center will walk you through the steps of finding a lifelong companion that suits your lifestyle. After you complete our lifestyle survey, we’ll arrange a consultation to discuss your needs and make suggestions for finding, living with and caring for the perfect dog for you and your family. All members of your household 10 years or older are encouraged to participate in the survey and to attend the consultation; younger participants are welcome.
Date and time arranged
Fee: $5 per consultation

New! Child & Adult Team Dog Training
Make dog training a family affair! Children ages 9 to 14 and their parents or guardians are invited to attend this four-week introductory dog training class. The concept of operant conditioning and clicker training will be introduced the first week with fun and games for humans followed by two weeks of training with the family’s dog (5 months or older). The final week will be an informal “show” for family and friends who wish to share in the children’s accomplishments. Dogs must have received a veterinary health exam in the last year and be current on their vaccinations. Classes are held at Lincoln Square Village in Urbana.
Tuesdays, February 19 - March 11, 6:30-7:30 pm
Fee: $60

New! Helping Arthritic Pets
Have you ever wondered how to keep your animals in tip-top shape?  In this session you will learn how to help your arthritic dogs and cats feel their best.  Exercise ideas for pets of all ages will also be discussed by Kim Knap, CVT and rehabilitation specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Wednesday, February 27, 6:30-8:00 pm
Fee: $5

New! Communicating With Our Best Friend: Understanding the Body Language of Dogs
This class features two concurrent sessions: one for adults and one for children ages 7 to 11. Through photos, video, and discussion, adults will learn how to identify and interpret dog body postures. This skill is invaluable in order to communicate more effectively with your own dog and to “read” dogs you encounter outside of the home. In a separate space, children will also learn how to interpret dog body language in a format suited just for them. The emphasis for children will be staying safe around dogs. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children 12 years and older can join the adult session. Instructors: Linda Case, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and Anna Lutgen from the CARE Center.  
Monday, March 31, 6:30-8:00 pm
Fee: $5 per person or $10 per household

Just How Serious Is It?
What should you do when your pet is acting "funny" but doesn’t seem seriously ill? This session will help you to distinguish between normal conditions and those that may need veterinary attention. We will also discuss what type of information is most important for you to convey to your veterinarian to assist him or her in reaching an accurate diagnosis. This discussion session is being offered by veterinary medical students of the Veterinary Student Outreach Program. This is an educational session and is not intended to give medical diagnosis or advice.
Thursday, April 10, 6:30-8:00 pm
Fee: $5

Grooming Essentials
Does your dog fear having his nails trimmed? Are you finding it difficult to keep your cat’s coat mat-free? Come learn the basics of having a well-groomed pet from longtime volunteer groomer Brad Hudson, who helps keep humane society animals looking their best.
Wednesday, March 26, 6:30-8:00 pm
Fee: $5

Dog Parks and Daycare: Assessing Your Dog and Evaluating Group Dynamics
Dogs are social animals, and opportunities for dogs to mingle and play are readily available at local dog parks and daycare facilities.  These venues can provide dogs with much-needed exercise and stimulation.  So, off we go?  Wait!  Although dogs are social animals by nature, they are individuals, each with his own temperament, past experience, style of play, and tolerance level for other dogs.  In this class, you will learn how to assess your dog’s potential for success in a group setting and how to evaluate dog-group behavior so that these activities remain fun and safe for all.  This class is taught by the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center staff and is brought to you by the CARE Center.
Wednesday, April 30, 6:30-8:00pm
Fee: $5

Dog Training
Learn to communicate more effectively with your dog in a relaxed environment using positive methods that make training fun for you and your dog. Clicker training methods will be discussed and class participants will have the option of using a clicker. The focus of this seven-week course is on basic skills that encourage your dog to behave appropriately inside and outside the home. You will learn how to teach your dog to turn to his name, watch, sit, down, stand, walk on a loose leash, come, stay, give, and leave it. Skills such as accepting handling, greeting people without jumping up, and playing safely are also discussed. Dogs must be 5 months or older and each dog’s primary handler must be at least 15 years of age. Dogs must have received a veterinary health exam in the last year and be current on their vaccinations. The first session is an orientation without dogs. Classes are held at Lincoln Square Village in Urbana.
Session one: Mondays, January 28 - March 10, 6:30-7:30 pm
Session two: Mondays, April 7 - May 19, 6:30-7:30 pm
Fee: $85

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Prep
This is an intermediate level class for dogs who have successfully completed a beginner and/or puppy class.  The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program was developed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) to promote the dog as a respected member of the community by learning to act mannerly in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs.  The CGC test includes 10 objectives such as accepting a friendly stranger, walking on a loose leash, and staying in place.  All ten objectives will be addressed in this seven-week course with the test given at the final class.  This is a preparatory class - owners may desire to repeat the course until their dog successfully completes the test.  Dogs must be 5 months or older and the dog’s primary handler must be at least 15 years of age.  Dogs must have received a veterinary health exam in the last year and be current on their vaccinations; owners must bring proof of vaccination to the first class.  All dogs must be on leash - a nylon or leather leash is recommended.  A retractable lead or long line and a brush or comb are also needed. Dogs attend the first week of class. Classes are held at Lincoln Square Village in Urbana.
Mondays, January 28 - March 10, 8:00-9:00 pm
Fee: $85

Puppy Socialization & Training
Start your puppy off on the right paw!  This seven-week course offers your puppy the opportunity to interact with other puppies and meet new people in a relaxed yet controlled environment. Emphasis is on creating positive experiences for your puppy during this important socialization period. Basic skills such as sit, down, come, and walk on a loose leash will be taught using positive methods that make training fun for you and your puppy. Topics such as handling, feeding, house training, and keeping your puppy busy while you are at home or away will be discussed. This class is for puppies 2 to 5 months of age and each puppy’s primary handler must be at least 15 years of age. Older puppies of smaller breeds allowed on a case-by-case basis.  Puppies must have received a veterinary health exam and a minimum of 2 vaccinations (DHLPP) prior to the first class meeting, which is an orientation without puppies. Classes are held at Lincoln Square Village, Urbana.
Mondays, April 7 - May 19, 8:00-9:00 pm
Fee: $85

Contact Urbana Adult Education (384-3530) to register

Fall Classes

Cats 100
Gain insight into normal cat behaviors and how cats communicate.  Learn how to tell if your cat is relaxed or stressed, and why scratching is a normal and functional behavior in cats.  Representatives from the Champaign County Humane Society and the CARE Center will offer successful strategies for managing and overcoming cat-behavior issues and will help you to better understand and appreciate your feline friend.  Attend the follow-up class, Cats 101, for further feline topics.

Cats 101
This class is a companion to Cats 100 and delves deeper into some common challenges that can arise with household cats.  We’ll discuss how to promote good litter box habits and what to do if problems occur. Cat-to-cat and cat-to-dog introductions and interactions will also be addressed.  Representatives from the Champaign County Humane Society and the CARE Center will offer successful strategies for managing and overcoming cat-behavior issues and will help you to better understand and appreciate your feline friend. Attendance at Cats 100 prior to this class is highly encouraged.

Introduction to Clicker Training
Teaching animals--both domestic and wild--new and desirable behaviors through “clicker training” has grown in popularity over the last few decades.  Clicker training utilizes operant conditioning and motivational techniques that--when used appropriately--are effective and enjoyable for the learner and trainer alike!  Linda Case of AutumnGold Dog Training Center will demonstrate clicker training with her dog and will get you started in training your own companion animal (cats, too!) at home.  This class is brought to you by the CARE Center.

And Now for Something Completely Different: Exotic Pets
Exotic pets, like birds, reptiles, and rodents are pretty and unique, but do they make good pets?  Many of them do!  But before committing to a new exotic family member, you'll want to determine what type of pet is right for your home and what type of home your exotic friend will need in order to thrive. In this session, we will talk about different types of exotic pets and what to consider before committing to a new, exotic member of the family.  This discussion session is being offered by veterinary medical students of the Veterinary Student Outreach Program (www.cvm.uiuc.edu/asa/vsop/) in conjunction with the CARE Center. This is an educational session and is not intended to give medical diagnosis or advice.