DOG OBEDIENCE INSTRUCTOR Jo Beth Britt, center, shakes Calvert Brown’s hand Monday while other dog owners, from right, Mark Richter, Lauren Porter and Betty Rushing look on. Dog-obedience instructor Betty Smith said the hand-shaking exercise gets the dogs accustomed to other humans’ contact with their masters. The dogs are taught to remain seated when someone shakes their master’s hand. The lesson was part of a series of classes offered twice a year at City Park.(The Vicksburg Post/C. TODD SHERMAN)