Hey all! First I want to share that the very beginning of the month Loot did his first agility trial in almost a year! 2 runs! We waited at a distance, did box feeding to the gate, and wore his earmuffs until I took off his leash. Go Loot!

And then the sad news is that Ravioli has been struggling with food and it's been getting worse these last 2-3 months. He's currently on a food trial and suspected of having IBD. All training this las month has been with toys and we honestly haven't done very much.

And before I forget, I have a mark / look forward mini class on the schedule, starting today!! Foundations for agility and obedience (and likely fieldwork but that's not my sport).

Locked in: Teaching a Focus Forward Cue

Off Switches?

In case you've missed it, I have a Ring Confidence training group on Facebook! Here are some of last months posts, click to read (and join the free group!):

Does your dog struggle with hanging out and not actively working? This post looks off switches and how I approach training them. I consider it a prerequisite to really get a good "standby" mode. Click here

This post contiunes the standby theme and looks at options to manage our dogs when we need to break connection Click here to read

Does adding energy to your routines make things worse and trigger things like zooming around the ring? Click here

February Training Videos

Here are 9 videos from the past month's daily uploads of training. Just click on the picture to be taken to youtube. (And if you prefer the non-music versions, head to facebook or instagram!) I hope these videos give you some helpful tips to try or inspire you to train something new!

Ravioli started some threadle wrap lessons on a cone. I couldn't decide which arm to use, this session was before I switched back to my current arm that Loot and Ginny know well

Freya had her first training session in a few months and we worked on some finishes into heel! Good kitty!

Ravi is continuing to work on his marker cue discrimination and learning to pick up the toy on the ground even though he prefers to launch at the toy in my hand!

Ravi did some heeling for a toy, including his first heeling game!!! Learning to go to a cone and collect as he comes into heel.

Ginny has done more work on duration before the reward as she prepped for her rally trial this month. (She earned her RE!) In this session it's more about flow and a little bit of breaking out for "transition" practice just for fun!

Speaking of transitions, the weather was gorgeous for a few days and Loot had fun training outside! He worked on his obedience transitions in the ring. Multiple releases and moving to setup before the reward

Ginny had fun working on positions out of motion with a cone. She mixed up sit, down, and stand!

Helo was back for some visits this month!!! I started his mark training to look at cookies. This was his first session, a bit awkward and I should have just tossed the treat into the bucket each time

And Freya!! Drop on recall with a cat!! I'm so proud of this

Current & Upcoming Classes

Marking class starts today, March 1st!! There is 1 working spot left as of now, but "silver" spots still available (post 1 video a week).

Teach your dog to lock in, commit, and know exactly what’s coming next. All before you give the send cue.

We'll specifically look at agility startlines and marking for obedience.

Locked In: Teaching A Look Forward Cue

Get unstuck from the boring stuff in novice and start teaching your dog (and you!) just how joyful obedience can actually be.

Open Obedience: Team to Trials

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! And join my free facebook group on building ring confidence for dog sports!