By Jolene Farley
Dave Crawford, Beaver Creek, has always been fond of animals, particularly dogs. Crawford turned his love of dogs into a business when he opened Midwest Canine in 1995 at his home in rural Beaver Creek.
"Training is something I have always been interested in," said Crawford, originally from Slayton. "So when I was done with school I went out to the West Virginia Canine College before I moved back here." Crawford attended college for animal science.
Midwest Canine offers dog boarding for up to eight dogs, but Crawford hopes to expand his boarding capacity next summer and also add an indoor training facility. Boarding costs for one day currently run $6 for a small dog and $7 for a big dog.
He also toys with the idea of opening boarding kennels in different towns. Midwest Canine boards dogs from all over the area.
He loves repeat customers. "The dogs are like one of your own," said Crawford. "It is like you have a pet but it goes home with someone else at the end of the week."
Midwest Canine offers dog obedience classes at the Rock County Veterinary Clinic for adult dogs and puppies. Adult dog classes are offered on Mondays and cost $45. Puppy classes are offered on Saturdays and cost $38.50.
Since turnout for the obedience class was double what Crawford expected, new classes will be offered periodically throughout the year.
He hopes to eventually add an agility class, where dogs are taught to weave around poles, run through tunnels and other fun things. His customers have expressed interest, and he says it is a great confidence builder for dogs.
Four years ago, Midwest Canine began training hunting dogs. It usually takes about two months to train a dog to hunt, according to Crawford. Costs run about $325 per month.
Before adopting a dog Crawford suggests sitting down to list what you want in a dog. "A lot of people pick the wrong breed," he said. "They see a cute little puppy and buy it right away."
A good breeder should be able to help evaluate a litter for the best puppy for prospective owners. Crawford recommends what he calls the "middle child" - not the meek, submissive puppy or the one jumping all over but the one in the middle.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is not socializing their dogs at a young age to the things they will be exposed to, according to Crawford.
Crawford works alone, except for a part-time helper during the summer. Business was brisk last year, so he anticipates needing more part-time help this summer.
In addition to boarding and training, Midwest Canine also raises German shepherds imported from Germany.
Crawford and his wife, Lisa, have two children, twins Andrew and Amanda.