Happy almost new year to all! I hope everyone had a somewhat relaxing holiday.

I'm not quite ready to reflect on the last year or look towards the new. So I'll just leave you with these December training videos you may have missed!

December Videos!

I was working hard at the beginning of the month on ring prep for 3 dogs getting ready for rally! Grace is a borrowed dog and I'm reviewing some ring entrances and small bits of work with rewards at a distance.

Arlo is a service dog in training who is here for some training. I'm currently retraining his position changes as they have a lot of extra movement baked into them right now! Last month I looked at introducing him to targets. Now I started reteaching his down!

Loot had some fun doing some obedience games. My primary focus was on those position changes at a small distance, but I mixed it up with using his dumbbell as a tiny bit of (fun!) pressure, the cone for movement, and then some heeling with his dumbbell!

Arlo is working hard on position changes, this time with his sit to stand. I'm using a front foot target and he's learning how to keep his feet planted! Still a work in progress.

Leash removals are a part of every trial! Here I'm working it as a cue to focus and have the added pressure of her reward dish right there.

Loot had a great session working on heeling around object pressure! This is usually a very difficult task and I'm proud of how he nailed it.

Position changes at a distance can be tough! One way I work on this is to use a rear foot target that is further behind them. This helps the dog to think about kicking back even if they can't reach the target. And then I can have them backup to the target later. This is most effective for positions like a foldback down or kickback stand where we want the dog reaching back.

And finally, don't forget about those front pivot foundations! I use this to help my retrieves to front too!

Here Loot is working on this and I also discovered he has some issues with delays if I don't mark right away! I don't want him to offer motion in those formal pauses. Not only is that an issue of precision, but it also tells me he thinks he was wrong in that silence!

Last warning!! Pop Stand Workshop Closes soon!

Click here to register!

Upcoming February Classes

Registration opens January 22nd for the next session. Just teaching 1 class!

From TEAM to Trials: Building Chains for Novice

This class is everything you need to start looking at obedience trials!

It will be a mix of working on the "skills" (lots of heeling! fronts! exams!)

and then an introduction to ring prep skills and rewards at a distance.

This class is designed both for those who don't know where to start, and for teams who have done a bit of everything but still feel a bit hesitant to enter that first trial.

Follow me on the social media platform of your choice to try and catch all my daily training videos. I hope they inspire you to try something fun with your dog!