STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Is your dog yammering for a Bachelor or, perhaps, Bachelorette degree in Dog Training 101? Or, perhaps, a Master’s degree for you, the dog handler?

Scotch Pines Dog Training will schedule a nine-week class in Hailey, beginning Saturday, Sept. 12. Classes will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturdays at Founders Field near Wood River High School in Hailey.

Those who have already taken the course are, as always, invited to bring their dogs back for a refresher free of charge, thanks to a lifetime pass.

The class, taught by Stephanie Hostetter, takes dogs from kindergarten to graduation as they learn how to return upon command, heel calmly, sit automatically, lie down and even ignore rabbits. Behavioral problems, such as jumping, biting, chewing, digging, barking and separation anxiety, will be addressed.

Training is done without food treats, shock collars, whistles, clickers and, eventually, without leashes.

Hostetter has been training dogs in Hailey, Twin Falls, Burley and the Treasure Valley for years and has plenty of fun stories to relay to class members about how to cure dogs’ idiosyncrasies.

To learn more, visit http://www.spdogtraining.com/.