On Sept. 14, the first indoor doggie gym to hit the Beach Cities flung open its doors on Manhattan Beach Blvd. in Redondo Beach.
Zoom Room aims to help dogs and their owners bond through a variety of innovative training classes – everything from traditional obedience classes to urban herding, which teaches dogs to push a yoga ball with their noses, and scent discrimination.
All of the classes emphasize increasing communication between dogs and owners.
According to owner Robin Bronner, Zoom Room focuses on training the owner just as much as the dog and making sure the owners can continue to work with their dogs outside of the class.
“We aren’t a daycare,” Bronner said. “You don’t just drop your dog off. It’s important that owners be part of the process. I’ve given people homework so they know how to work with their dogs on their own. We train people just as much as dogs.”
Equally important is making sure the dogs are mentally stimulated as much as they are physically; Zoom Room’s classes do both.
“It’s amazing how many people come in thinking their dog has a huge behavioral problem, when really the dog is just bored and needs exercise,” Bronner said.
The agility classes involve owners running their dogs through an obstacle course; the course not only allows dog and owner to bond but acts as a physical workout for both.
“Just going to the dog park is great for straight exercise, but it’s not mentally engaging for the dog,” Bronner said. “Agility does both.”
According to Bronner, most dogs really enjoy agility because it challenges them and it’s something new and fun, “not to mention they get to climb and jump and run,” she said.
Owners enjoy agility not only because it’s fun, but also because they go home with really tired dogs.
“And we like tired dogs,” Bronner said.
Bronner, who worked in television production before she opened Zoom Room, looks right at home in the gym with her dog at her feet and a treat in her hand.
“When I opened Zoom Room everyone told me ‘Oh, owning a business, you’re going to be working twelve hour days!’ and I was like ‘That’s nothing.’ In television I was working 15 or 16 hour days,” she said. “I don’t want to leave [the television industry], but I’ve always wanted to do something with animals, especially dogs. So this is perfect.”
Visit http://www.zoomroomonline.com/redondo-beach-dog-training.html for more information.
