ESCANABA – Local dog owners can get free advice at the Delta Animal Shelter’s newly-introduced dog behavior class. The class, which meets once every month, is run by former shelter employee Mary Blasier.

Blasier, who still volunteers at the shelter, is a certified dog trainer with the Animal Behavior College. She said discussion on the possibility of starting this program began this winter, and that it was created in the interest of helping people with disobedient dogs to keep their pets.

“(Shelter Manager) Sue Gartland and I talked about…what I could do to help people keep dogs in their homes,” she said.

About 16 dog owners attended the first session of this class, which took place Aug. 24. Blasier said this session seemed to be well-received.

“I got a lot of great feedback,” she said.

Common issues brought up by dog owners during the session included excessive barking, problems with housebreaking, and trouble dealing with visitors.

Blasier said people attending her class do not bring their pets, like they would for an obedience school. Instead, she prefers to work with dogs in their homes, as she said this is generally less emotionally challenging for animals than being brought to an unfamiliar place.

“Everyone who came to the class, I offered one free lesson in their home,” she said.

While the focus of Blasier’s class is on dogs, some of her training with the Animal Behavior College involved cats. Because of this, she said she could provide advice to cat owners in attendance at future sessions.

According to Blasier, behavioral issues common to cats include behavioral changes in response to shifts in their family dynamic and not regularly using their litter box.

“Litter box behavior is the big one,” she said.

Blasier said she has been pleased with the public’s response to her new program so far.

“I’m very happy about it, and I hope the interest remains high,” she said.

The Delta Animal Shelter’s dog behavior class is held at the shelter on the third Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call the Delta Animal Shelter at (906) 789-0230.