January is a month where people can work on getting their dogs trained if they don’t feel their dogs are cooperating. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers, the largest professional association for dog trainers in the world, proclaims January “National Train Your Dog Month.” It is estimated by the Humane Society of the United States that between six and eight million dogs and cats are turned in to animal shelters each year. Of these six to eight million, four million are euthanized because the shelters aren’t able to find a home for them. Many people turn their dogs in to animal shelters because the dogs don’t cooperate with them. They usually have behavior and training issues that could be resolved with the help of a professional. Alyson Brown, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer at Mountain View Veterinary Health Center, says “A lot of dogs get returned especially when they hit that adolescent age when they hit about a year and two to three years old just because a lot of people don’t realize that a lot of problems that crop up during that time are easily preventable or changeable with training.” This is where the APDT wants to help. Since January is the “National Train Your Dog Month” there will be a free open house being hosted by the Mountain View Veterinary Health Center, 516 West Golf Course Road in Providence on Thursday, January 19th from 6-8 p.m. The general public can attend to learn about positive training, behavior services and ask questions of Certified Professional Dog Trainers. There will be games, treats and prizes. The APDT has over 6,000 member trainers doing all they can to help keep dogs in homes. They are dedicated to show owners how they can have fun with their dogs and keep them entertained. The APDT has much information at their website for pet owners at www.apdt.com/petowners. During the month of January there will be free webinars and social media chats as well. For those interested, they can find a full listing at www.trainyourdogmonth.com. For those who want to know more about the open house contact Mountain View Veterinary Health Center at 435-755-3202.