Not Available at this time.

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Instructor/Evaluator: Kate Brown-Wing, CPDT-KA

“Why train your dog for an old style “Sit”?
When instead you can easily train your dog to offer a calm, attentive
“Sit” ... offered in the correct position, then she/he happily, awaits
for your next training cue.”

In this class, we train techniques that build your dogʼs focus, attention span and the foundations of cooperative, learning- while learning the Canine Basic Obedience skills. This series is designed as a pre-AKC/CGC course, setting you and your dog up for the steps in the AKC/CGC program (or equivalent). One of the main class objectives is to build your dogʼs capacity to focus on you in a group setting.

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Before any trained dog can perform a training task/skill, they need to be attentive to you and your cues. ʻPartneringʼ is about communications. Acquiring a dogs attention, requires skill, timing and practice from the owner/handler. Once learned, these skills are the keys to engaging your dog. When applied as you train your dog, your dog will be will be a more ʻavailableʼ to partner with you, and be more responsive. This class is aimed to train you and your dog as a team, both are required to be attentive to obtain the best, and most reliable results.

Obedience class skills covered:
- Sit
- Down
- Walk (at your side)
- Stay
- Come
- Leave It

With Positive Handling and Training you can...
- Acquire and maintain your dogʼs ʻfocusʼ before training, and build a better relationship with your dog along the way
- Create behavioral protocols for developing home and leash manners
- Create a working bond between you and your dog, building strong, trusting partnership

- Play training games with your dog to reinforce training objectives, building your dogʼs motivation
- Manage and plan your training sessions for your dogs best effective results
- Manage your dogʼs capacity to focus on you while in the proximity of other dogs
- Reinforce your dogʼs growing capacity to perform with distractions.

 

Envision your dog performing the following

- Examples of Cooperative, Practical Expressions of the Basic Commands
- Your dog offers an attentive, calm “Sit” before, clipping the leash on, exiting your home and car
- Your dog rests on a ʻMatʼ (while out of the way from the kitchen activities) and is ʻSettledʼ in the “Down”, while you prepare dinner
- “Walk” with your dog next to you (starting with short distances with few distractions) instead of dragging you about (saving on your chiropractic bill)
- While practicing the “Stay”, methodically develop your dogʼs attention span, establish safety protocols like preventing your dog from getting loose by exiting your open front door without permission.
- You and your dog can PLAY! Building and practicing several games to acquire your dogʼs attention and the motivation to Listen to your cue and “Come” with greater reliability
- Learn that the seemingly simple “Leave It” can be a beautiful opportunity to reward your dog for choosing to be attentive to YOU, instead of grabbing a tempting morsel or chasing a squirrel. Reinforcing the valuable life skill (for people too) of delayed gratification

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“It Ainʼt What You Do... But How That You Do It!”

These techniques will offer a multitude of benefits for both dogs and their families. The techniques are encouraging, positive and science based. Your dog will quickly build confidence and incentive to continue to offer more and more helpful tasks. All with less stress and more reliability than most older training techniques.

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Who is this class ideal for?
First, before the details, dog training, if done well, is one of the most valuable and rewarding enrichment activities that owners can offer their dog. And, I believe that these hours are among their favorite hours with you...remembering them throughout their lives.

This series is for owners that want to build a healthy partnership with their:
- Dogs that are older than 6 months old
- A young dog that has not had formal training and needs the basics
- A rescue dog new to your home, and needs to build confidence and a connection with you
- A mature dog that would benefit from learning the basic trainings for happier coexistence.
- Many, many dogs just LOVE a ʻrefresherʼ class, in fact I have not seen one show up and not be delighted to be a participant!
- A dog that may be bossy and insistent at home and would benefit from structured education to polish mannered skills
- A dog that would benefit from enriching their life with ʻbrainʼ skills, just working in the proximity of other dogs is a challenge of attention for dogs that are not practiced, waiting for their turn, watching other dogs perform, seeing but not touching other dogs
- A dog that is being fostered, learning new skills and confidence while awaiting a forever home
- A dogʼs owner that wants to reestablish a relationship with their dog, to experience their dog learning and growth anew.
- An owner that wants to learn or is considering (what is referred to as a ʻcross overʼ from one discipline to another) new training and handling skills.
 

Prerequisites

Female dogs who are in season may not attend this class - owners can still attend without their dog if their dog comes in season in the middle of a session. Dogs need to be ʻmanageableʼ (even without refined leash skills) and without excessive fear, reactivity or that would pose a danger to you, themselves or other class members.
If you need assistance with determining if this class is right for you and your dog, please contact Kate at 703-479-6238.

ALL DOGS SHOULD BE HANDLED BY ONE ADULT DURING INSTRUCTIONAL CLASS TIME.  ADDITIONAL ADULTS AND CHILDREN UNDER 16 MAY ATTEND CLASS TO OBSERVE FROM THE SEATING AREA.  PLEASE CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR, KATE BROWN-WING IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

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If you are interested in signing up for this class, please sign in to or create an account with us via ProPet using this link: https://waggintailsjunction.propetware.com/customerLogin.