This is my dog. Her name is Layle. She’s a golden retriever and she is 2 years old. She took her first class at Indy Humane when she was 5 months old. The class was for puppies to learn how to play together. Since then she has completed 2 levels of obedience classes. Someday, she will be a therapy dog that can visit nursing homes, hospitals…and the library!

In this picture she is practicing “wait”. She doesn’t want me to read anymore. She wants to go for a walk!

If you have a dog and would like to learn how to communicate with him/her you should try the Dog Communications Class. One of the best things I learned in dog class was how to “speak dog”. Most of the time, Layle just needed to understand what I was asking her to do. She learned English words like “wait,” “come,” and “sit,” but we had to practice a lot. She learned English and I learned how to “speak dog”! I know what she means when she looks at me like this and wags her tail. She is saying, “I am waiting patiently because I love you but you have been reading for a long time and I want to go for a walk now!”

• Dog Communications Class Adults and families are invited as representatives from the Humane Society explain what your dog may be saying to you when he is stubborn, bites, or doesn’t seem to be listening. Attendees will learn the tools to “speak dog.” A dog will be in attendance. Schedule

• Pets: Stories & Safety Children ages 4 – 7 and an adult are invited as Rebecca Warren of the Humane Society shares with them some of the basics of pet ownership. The focus will be on cats and dogs. A dog may be in attendance at this program. Schedule

Books and dogs are a great combination! The Paws to Read dogs are at several library branches. They love to listen to stories! Ask your parents if you can come and have a turn reading out loud to Gracie or Dandy!

• Paws to Read at Eagle Schedule
• Paws to Read at Lawrence Schedule
• Paws to Read at Wayne Schedule
• Barks to Books at Pike Schedule

We have some great dog books too! Books can help you learn about dog training, dog rescue and working dogs. There are also some OUTSTANDING dog stories. Give some of these a try: