Winter classes, activities help dogs (and their people) fight cabin fever

Cabin fever — it’s not just for humans.

Your canine companion might feel cooped up during the wintertime, too, when snow covers the yard, sidewalks are icy and temperatures fall below freezing. Who wants to go out for a walk in those conditions?

Even a well-trained dog might get a little antsy, leading to rambunctious behavior. If Santa leaves a new puppy underneath the Christmas tree, all bets are off.

“A puppy at 5 to 9 months is basically a teenager,” says Bruce Ringer, owner of Ringer’s Pet Dog Training in Natrona Heights. “If you wait to train them, it can become a contest of wills. The earlier the training, the better.”

Before things get out of control, you might want to find a place where your dog can burn off some of that energy — or brush up on good manners.

Here are a few options around the area:

Animal Friends

Finding a safe place for your dog to run and play outdoors during the winter can be problematic, but Animal Friends in Ohio Township, Allegheny County, has an alternative — a play yard that is available from 7:30-10 a.m. daily, weather permitting — meaning a moderate winter temperature and no ice or deep snow cover.

Reservations are required and are limited to two dogs per adult handler and in groups of up to 10 dogs. A $5 donation per dog is requested for each half hour.

The organization also offers Animal Friends University dog training classes, from puppies to adults.

“It starts with basic obedience training that lays the groundwork for more sophisticated training; it’s a progression,” says communications coordinator Cody Hoellerman.

The most popular classes are Kinderpuppy (puppies up to 5 months), Puppy Manners (puppies 5-9 months), Companion Dog (dogs 9 months and older) and Companion Dog Manners for Small Dogs (dogs 6 months and older, less than 35 pounds).

Many classes have sessions starting in January.

Location: 562 Camp Horne Road, Ohio Township

Details: 412-847-7000 or thinking outsidethecage.org

B&D Creekside Activity Center

Active dogs will appreciate the chance to work out at this 150-by-250-foot, turf-covered indoor arena. Owner-operator Darlene Schmucker offers training in everything from obedience, agility, scent work and rally to something called the “bunny dash” — a 40-yard dash in which dogs chase a cloth rabbit figure.

Dogs also can participate in “hide ‘n seek,” where a target is hidden in a ring among multiple straw bales for the dog to sniff out, along with other hunting- type games.

Humans can take a break in the on-site bar and restaurant, and then find a treat for their canine companions in the Paw Mart. The facility also hosts many American Kennel Club-sanctioned events.

Location: 500 Ave. B, Latrobe

Details: bndcreeksideactivitycenter.com

Ringer’s Pet Dog Training

Owner Bruce Ringer has a long history of teaching dogs to sit, stay and heel. He’s been training them since 1985 and has owned the Natrona Heights facility since 1996.

His group classes focus on building the relationship between puppy and owner, solving in-home behavior problems and preparing the dog to behave in public.

All classes are based on positive reinforcement. The motto is “Don’t blame ‘em! Train ‘em!”

“Could you imagine what your life would be like if you were put into a country where you didn’t speak the language? That’s how your dog feels,” his website says. “Here at Ringer’s, we offer solutions that are dog and human friendly.”

New seven-week series of puppy etiquette and basic manners classes will begin Jan. 4, 7 and 20. Various adult dog classes also are available.

Ringer’s also has a pet store, doggy daycare and boarding facility in Tarentum.

Location: 3041 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights

Details: 724-226-9670 or ringers petdogtraining.com

Rustic Lodge Diving Dogs

Water-loving dogs will be right at home in the 45-foot heated indoor pool at this Mt. Pleasant facility.

Rustic Lodge is the only indoor American Kennel Club-sanctioned, regulation-size North American Diving Dog facility in the northeastern United States. Owners Ally and Brent Strother of New Salem, Fayette County, say that people travel long distances to practice or compete with their dogs.

But your pooch doesn’t have to be a champion to have fun there.

Rustic Lodge offers open pool time for dogs that like to paddle around with their owners, and those whose vets have recommended swimming as a low-impact workout. A group of older ladies comes every Sunday with their dogs, Ally Strother says.

The facility also offers individual and group classes to acquaint dogs with the joys of swimming.

For dogs with both a love of water and a competitive spirit, from Pomeranians to Newfoundlands, the Strothers offer beginner and intermediate dock diving and air retrieve training.

Diving involves the dog running along a dock and leaping into the water to retrieve a Nerf bumper thrown by the handler. In air retrieve, the dog leaps for a bumper suspended above the pool. With each successful grab, the toy is moved another foot from the dock for the next try.

The Strothers and some of their clients competed with their dogs in the 2019 NADD/AKC National Championships Dec. 14-15 in Orlando, Fla. Maybe next year, your dog could join them?

Location: 114 Liberty St., Mt. Pleasant

Details: 724-912-4543 or rusticlodgedivingdogs.com

Youngwood Top Dog Services

If your pooch needs to bone up on manners, owner Rodney Little offers a variety of training classes at Christ United Methodist Church in Youngwood.

Topics covered include basic commands, leash control and increasing attention span and focus, among others. Three sets of six-week classes will begin Jan. 7, 8 and 9. Fee is $150.

Other services include dog walking, administering medications, short- and long-term pet sitting, socialization group trail walk class and therapy dog training and certification programs.

Open playtime for dogs and owners will be coming in early January to the church gym, says owner Rodney Little. Tentative times are 5-8 p.m. Fridays and 2-5 p.m. Saturdays.

Details: 412-610-6090 or facebook.com/youngwoodpetservices/