Australian shepherds chasing sheep, terriers sniffing out rats, bird dogs jumping off docks, puppies learning to swim, or mutts learning to come, sit and stay: this is the activity that Paws for Obedience hopes to see at its new facility, North Country Paws for Obedience at 4202 U.S. Route 4 between Kingsbury and Fort Ann.
The owners, friends and supporters with their dogs came out this morning to cut the ribbon on their 31.8 acre second location. Their first location is on Route 9 in South Glens Falls. They offer classes and monthly subscriptions for many activities.
“I just wanted to thank everybody...We wouldn’t have been able to do all of this without our amazing team of trainers and instructors and our community,” said Brianna Rabine just before cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Since all wore masks, she added, “I’m smiling, but you can’t see it.”
The celebration was supported broadly by the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m an advocate for the business,” said Tricia Rogers, the ARCC membership director. “We’re really excited for their second location.”
What the owners call a “K-9 enrichment center” will get dogs “back to their natural instincts,” said co-owner Lora Bacharach after the ribbon cutting.
Although the standard obedience classes will be held, the main activities will center around what dogs want to do naturally: sniff, track, swim, or herd.
“The pool is a big spotlight, and we’re really excited,” Bacharach said. It will be used for older dogs to “dock dive,” which is just like it sounds, dogs launching themselves off docks and going for distance or height. It can be competitive, but many dogs just like the fun. Their people can work with the dogs to do both at the new Paws pool, Bacharach said.
The location, with acres of fields, woods and trails, Bacharach said, will offer “adventure, relationship and fulfillment.”