Jane Hammett of Shadow Hill Kennels recently celebrated another successful dog training class.

According to Hammett, the class teaches the owners how to get control of their pet in fun and playful ways.

When teaching, Hammett says she uses food and praise to reward the dog’s good behavior.

“The owners found out that the dogs really do like to learn when they have a good time and get rewards,” she says. “Some dogs learn faster than others and every dog has a different personality.”

Finding out what your dog does best is very rewarding, according to Hammett.

“It makes for a proud owner when he or she can show off what their dog has learned,” she says. “It also makes for a much better pet when the owner can trust their dog around children, strangers or new environments.“

If the students came early to class, they were able to watch Jane and 10-year-old Ashley Hammett practiced with their shelties named Boomer, Tony and Andy in an agility routine.

“Agility is a new dog sport that tests the dog’s skill and speed in an obstacle course,” Hammett says. “The owner must show complete control over their pet in order to have a winning score and time. It’s fun to watch a child and her dog have so much fun.,” she says.”

The class has a graduation exercise to demonstrate the hard work owner and pet have put in. Results are as follows.

The outcome for the regular dog training class was as follows: first place, Brent Decker and Lexie a Mini Schnauzer; second place, Todd Martin and Charlie a mix breed; third place, Ursala Walsh and Sophie a Norwich Terrier; fourth place, Page and Charles Coker with Mimi a Papillon. In the puppy training class: first place, Glenn Gilchrist and Baxter a Newfoundland; and second place, Christina Gilchrist and Midnight a Rottweiler.

The next classes will begin Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 6:30 p.m.

“We hope the weather is cooler as it is just too hot to train in 90 plus degrees,” Hammett says.