Train your dog with love, rewards and consistency - never a stick. Dog training is a growing business as more people find time for man's best friend. Shanghai Circus World can help, but dogs must be licensed to enter the school, writes Xu Wei.

Yan Guohao, a middle-aged pet lover, didn't expect that his naughty Alaskan malamute Lucy could have so much fun during her days at the Dog Training Center of the Shanghai Circus World.

In August, five-month-old Lucy was sent to the center to improve her obedience, manners, concentration, agility and other basic skills for her long-time relationship with humans.

"On my trips to some Western countries, I was surprised to see many big canines behave themselves so well," says Yan. "That inspired me to give Lucy a decent education. The training center interests me because of its rigorous selection process and strong faculty."

After a physical examination and "interviews" to test her intelligence, reactions and personality, Lucy was enrolled in an elementary 40-day curriculum.

But she was a bad student during the first week. Lucy was so rambunctious and unaccustomed to her new disciplined environment that she barked at her teacher and other dog students, unwilling to listen to any commands.

"This was because Lucy only stayed a short time with her mother and siblings before she was adopted by Yan," says Chen Hongyi, Lucy's teacher and a veteran animal trainer with more than 30 years' experience. "She feels timid and insecure with strangers."

But that didn't stop Chen and Yan's determination to help Lucy develop a healthier personality.

Chen drew up a specific program for Lucy. He spent weeks building a close connection with her to win Lucy's trust and affection.

Unlike other freshmen, Lucy receives more encouragement and praise from the teacher, even if she just fulfills a simple mission.

Now Lucy has overcome her former tension and aggression. She obeys basic commands like "sit," "stay," "heel" and "down," and her confidence grows quickly.

At the end of the curriculum, dog owners will be invited to attend the training classes, according to Yan. "We will learn to read what our dogs are saying, and strengthen trust and loyalty with each other. The center will also present each of its graduates memorial photos and discs that record the training process," he says.

Ever since the training center was founded in 2002, several hundred dogs have graduated with agreeable personalities and dependable skills. Large breeds such as St Bernards, Samoyeds, Siberian huskies and Great Pyrenees are commonly seen students there.

As some guard dogs and working breeds are dominant-aggressive, they can be difficult in families with small children or adults who lack a commanding voice and manner. That's another reason the courses are increasingly popular.

But many big working and guard dogs are naturally very protective and loving towards their families and children - it depends on breeding, personality, training and environment. Dogs return love.

"But we only accept canine students with official dog licenses," says Jin Wei, deputy general manager of Shanghai Circus World and the center's director.

Official statistics show that there are around 700,000 pet dogs in Shanghai but only 100,000 of them are licensed. The unlicensed dogs don't get regular physical checkups and vaccinations, which has created a potential rabies threat.

According to health authorities, more than 50,000 people have reported being bitten by dogs in Shanghai in the first seven months of this year, leading to three deaths.

That number of bites increased 18.16 percent over last year, and it is expected to exceed 100,000 by the end of this year. In recent years, more than 2,500 people die of rabies each year in China.

Though the government has spent much on rounding up unlicensed dogs, strengthening pet owners' sense of responsibility is considered the best approach.

"Raising dogs is a decision that is often made on a whim," says Jin. "It requires the whole family's long-term care, patience, love and responsibility. "Our task also includes enhancing public awareness to treat pets properly and patiently."

Jin is echoed by Yan.

"Some owners cruelly desert their pets when they have health problems or bite people. That is shocking," says Yan. "Perhaps dogs are not everything to you, but you are everything to them. They're dependent and usually very vulnerable animals."

In the future, the training center will expand its business by opening more programs for pet health and beauty. The center is also favored by many citizens who believe training can eliminate unnecessary conflicts and disputes between pet owners and their neighbors.

"I don't like dogs, but if they didn't always bark loudly early in the morning and pollute the neighborhood, I wouldn't be hostile to them," says 80-something grandma Tao Yindi.

Fan Yong, an IT worker, is optimistic about the future of pet training centers.

"Every one has the right to raise or not to raise dogs," he says. "Keeping a pet is not a fad to show off. The owners are responsible to ensure their pets don't hurt or offend others."

According to pet lover Lydia Li, dog owners should prepare leashes, clean-up tissues and plastic bags when walking their dogs on the street.

"The pet training industry is booming in many Western countries, but it is still in its infancy on the Chinese mainland," says Li. "At some mature centers, dogs have adequate time and space for exercises such as running and swimming. It's also fun. However, most local training centers are located in the suburbs."

The Dog Training Center of Shanghai Circus World

Address: 2266 Gonghexin Rd

Fees: For small dogs, 2,030 yuan for elementary curriculum, 3,400 yuan for intermediate curriculum, 6,600 yuan for advanced curriculum; for medium-sized dogs, 2,430 yuan for elementary, 4,200 yuan for intermediate, 7,500 yuan for advanced; for large breeds, 3,000 yuan for elementary, 4,800 yuan for intermediate, no advanced curriculum (40 days for elementary curriculum, 60 days for intermediate, 90 days for advanced course)

Tel: 021-6652-4566