You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

Dog trainer and Warminster resident Eileen Conroy believes in the difference dogs can make in our lives. She owns A Well Mannered Mutt and offers in-home training in basic and advanced obedience and behavior modification.

For the second year at the , Conroy has been helping dogs and their humans live in harmony through simple obedience training that focuses on basic commands.

Monday night's class, entitled, “Old Dogs, New Beginnings” focused on dogs older than one year. Conroy offers many services including training walks, unusual problems, behavior modification, and she can help dogs get ready for a new baby coming into the home.

For the Pierce family, helping their German Shepherd, Nika, adjust to changes in her living environment is what prompted them to sign her up for Conroy's classes. Nika, being used to living in a rural area has been faced with challenges regarding noises and other sounds she isn't familiar with.

Mostly, Nika's owner, Andrea, said she wants her to behave better when people come to their house. “We want to be able to let relatives in,” said Pierce, adding that she has noticed an improvement in only three classes.

Warminster resident Jenea Lomas and her Labrador, Hunter, are also seeing improvement. Hunter is learning the “Automatic Sit” - an action that tells her to always sit when you stop. Lomas originally fostered Hunter for Brookline Rescue and decided to adopt him. She said he's the first of their many foster dogs that her family just couldn't part with.

Conroy also gives dog park safety seminars for the Warminster Dog Park.

She has done assistance dog work and graduated from both the Professional Obedience/Behavior course and the Master Trainer Course from the National K-9 School for Dog Trainers in Ohio.

Conroy has plans in the near future to work with rescues and shelters to help dogs become more adoptable.

She resides with her husband and three rescue dogs.