To help keep dogs out of shelters, nonprofit Dog-Harmony Inc. will host three workshops this summer led by local trainer Debbie Revell.

Revell, owner of Pets Behave in Niceville, is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), Associate Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (ACCBC) and has a diploma in Companion Animal Behavior and Training (Dip. CABT).

The first workshop is “Learn to Talk Dog” on June 8th. It covers how dogs give cues and signals with their body language all the time. However, most of the time humans don’t recognize those signals. Participants will learn how to listen with their eyes and learn steps for better communication.

The second is “Calming Dog Reactivity” on July 13th. It covers canines that bark, lunge and growl at other dogs. These dogs are reactive for a variety of reasons, including fear, overstimulation, frustration and excitement. Participants will learn strategies to help calm a reactive dog.

The third workshop is “Fears and Phobias” on Aug. 10th. It teaches techniques and therapies to help dogs with anxiety about common issues like car rides, vet visits, interactions with children, fireworks, thunderstorms and nail trims.

All workshops are from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Dog-Harmony’s headquarters, 237 Market St., Santa Rosa Beach.

Cost is $40 per workshop, or $100 for all three. To register, visit www.Dog-Harmony.org/events.

To help the community and those who work with a high number of dogs, nonprofit rescues and county shelters can send two representatives at no charge. Shelters and rescues should call Dog-Harmony founder Nancy Bown at (850) 376-4190, or email bownnancy@gmail.com.

Nearly half of all dogs who end up in shelters are given up because of undesirable behavior, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Through humane education events such as this, Dog-Harmony Inc. is working to keep dogs in their homes. They are dedicated to reducing the shelter dog population through ongoing humane education, force-free training, and low-cost spay/neuter and microchipping services.

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