AJ News

Ben Freda Abington Journal Correspondent

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Scott and Sunny Weiland, Clarks Summit with son Scott A. Weiland and chocolate labrador retriever, Toby.

Abington Journal/Ben Freda

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All-American Dog Trainers’ customers Terri Bedford, left, Factoryville with her shiba inu, Teddy and Jennifer Brandon, Waverly, with her Great Dane, Mac.

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CLARKS SUMMIT – If you have a dog that needs a little bit of training and likes to have fun on the side, you have the option of rolling over to the Clarks Summit Borough Building. A dog-obedience program, All-American Dog Trainers, trains dogs of all breeds and sizes at the first floor of the Clarks Summit Borough Building.

A small business, which gives both group and private training lessons to puppies and adult dogs, All American Dog Trainers was founded by Animal Behavior Certified Dog Trainers (ABCDT) Christine Spangler and Denise Allen. They are both graduates of Animal Behavior College. Spangler and Allen have been training dogs professionally in both group and private settings since 2007 and 2008, respectively. They both place emphasis on leadership, consistency and positive techniques in their training. In October 2009, they started the business to help people and their dogs in the community. “We’re here to help people become responsible pet owners by using positive techniques in our training,” said Allen.

Spangler and Allen each own many pets. Spangler owns Labrador retriever mix dogs, Judge and Grace and three cats, Bear, McEnroe and Wilson. Allen owns two dogs, Corky and Molly; two cats, Fat Boy and Zipper and an African Gray Parrot, Tiger.

There are two parts of the training: Part 1, Basic Obedience and Part 2, Canine Good Citizenship, a continuation of Basic Obedience. “Bringing our dogs to class provides good socialization for the community,” said Jessica Soboleski, whose dog participated in a class.

Classes begin Feb.18 and run for six weeks at a cost of $90. Classes will be held at the Clarks Summit Borough Building on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. To register, call Spangler at 570.877.8157 before Feb. 18. For details, go to www.allamericandogtrainers.com. “The borough is generous for allowing us a place to train,” said Spangler. “We’re looking to promote well-mannered dogs in the community.”