Course building begins at 7 p.m. Class begins at 7:30.
Length: Eight weeks
Recommended for: 1 year and older
Prerequisites: CGC for dogs older than 1 year. Your dog should understand how to work for both toys and food, and especially, how to drive forward to a target. They should be able to stay engaged with the handler off leash and with distractions. Dogs should be familiar with working on low height contacts. Handlers should be interested in or working with a behavioral science-based contact training program.
Exceptions can be made for teams who have not yet started a contacts program so long as the handler is committed to work on a behavioral science-based introduction to training contacts. Contact the instructor if you want to discuss your situation.
IMPORTANT: Enrollment in an online running contacts program OR have a mentor they are working with is highly recommended. Stopped or running contact methods are equally welcome.
Number of participants limited to 6.
Course Description: This class is designed to be a work group. That means it will not be primarily an instructor-led class format. Guidance on training running and stopped contacts will be available, however. Class members are encouraged to help observe and support the work of fellow group members.
Participants will be expected to be working their own plan for contacts training, including practice in between class sessions. The workgroup leader will act as a coordinator to set up a space/equipment plan for the class and to monitor group flow as needed.
Equipment
The class will start on a low height dogwalk and teeter. Dogs should be working a 5-foot A frame. Teams will progress to working full height contacts in the course of the class.
Materials needed: A target mat or mats (if your system uses one), Treat and Train or Manners Minder (highly recommended) or a closed target or toy your dog will drive to for reinforcement. Small, high value treats and high value toys. A PVC A-frame stride regulator box will be available for class.
Why not a class?
Training contacts, especially running contacts, is highly individualized to both the dog and the handler. Stopped contacts are much easier and more straightforward to train and maintain, but still benefit from “working a system” for the behavior you want.
We will have a coach available for stopped contact trainers and also coaching for those training running contacts.
Training running contacts can be very fun for handler and dog but relies on commitment to regular practice and attention to building the fitness, balance and coordination that the dog will need for safe, confident performance.
Training turns off contacts
You will have lots of opportunity to train turns off contacts in this class. Turns after contacts can be one of the most neglected skills in training contacts, but they are so important. These days, the best contact training programs heavily emphasize work on training turns from the earliest foundation steps. Training turns will be part of the layout for each class.
Questions? Feel free to contact the instructor.