NILES — Dogs and libraries are not typically brought together, but the Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St., will be making the connection this September to May 2020 through its new Learning Unleashed! program.

From 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month starting Sept. 7, the library’s basement will host an open agility center and a puppy socialization room. On the fourth Saturday of each month starting Sept. 28, different dog-related classes and workshops will be hosted.

The idea came about collectively from a handful of library staff, each a dog lover, said lead organizer and library director Nancy Studebaker-Barringer. A few staff members had also gotten puppies. Organizer and administrative assistant Anna Topping wanted to use her experience working at an animal rescue.

Now, the library and local shelters SNAP of Michigan and Dream Paws are partnering to put on the program.

“We’ve been just kind of puppy crazy around here,” Studebaker-Barringer said.

The months-long Learning Unleashed! is not about satisfying staff interests, however. Topping said the classes, workshops, play and socialization each solve issues the dog and dog owner communities face.

These issues are not always explicitly brought up by owners, she said, but they are implied and can be seen during her work with dog shelters.

“It’s more of the contact I have with people who adopt dogs saying, ‘I have this problem. Help me with this,’” she said. “I think offering the classes without people having to reach out, just come and learn, will be very beneficial to the dog-owning community.”

For instance, chances for dogs to utilize agility equipment and open space some Saturday mornings may not appear to fill a need, but they are meant to offer a space for dogs to exercise during winter months. An exercised dog is a happy and healthy dog, Topping said.

The puppy socialization is meant to fill a need, too. Topping said that during her work with an animal shelter, she came in contact with dogs sometimes deemed “untouchable” by staff. These dogs became anxious or angry around certain types of people and animals due to a lack of exposure to those people and pets at an early age. That made them difficult to adopt.

Puppy socialization is meant to nip that problem in the bud.

During the event, puppies and their owners will be brought into a basement room where puppies can become familiar with other dogs and other people in a safe space.

“If your dog at a very young age is exposed to other dogs [and] to humans of all ages and sizes and genders, they’re going to be a lot more friendly and open to experiences when they’re older,” Topping said.

Studebaker-Barringer said this monthly event can help dogs achieve a standard that some veterinarians tout.

“By the time your dog is 100 days old, they should have smelled 100 people so that they get used to the idea that there are all sorts of smells and all sorts of people,” Studebaker-Barringer said.

The motives behind the monthly agility and socialization programs fall in line with other offerings Learning Unleashed! has tentatively planned. Its March 21, 2020 presentation on dealing with unwanted behaviors in pets is meant to help dogs socialize, for instance.

Others, like Nov. 23’s canine first aid class, are meant to educate dog owners on other important topics. Still others, like Oct. 26’s dog costume contest and photobooth, are for fun.

Sept. 28’s event is titled “Make Your Own Agility Jump,” where attendees will learn to make their own PVC agility jump. All dogs in attendance at the 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. event will be invited to walk in the Four Flags Area Apple Festival parade with Ruff & Tumble Dog Park. Registration is required.

The agility events, socialization events and most classes are free. October’s costume contest and November’s Santa photo opportunity both cost $5 to benefit the Friends of Niles District Library and Niles History Center.

Certain vaccinations are required to attend agility and socialization events. A form proving that rabies, paravirus and Bordetella vaccinations have been given is needed by Topping.

Registration is also needed for some classes, especially those where materials are provided.

A list of rules, registration forms, vaccination forms and a list of future Learning Unleashed! events can be found at nileslibrary.com/learningunleashed/.

Topping said that prospective attendees of any Learning Unleashed! event can contact her directly at (269) 683-8545 for more information.