Family Dog Manners II

3 one-hour class sessions PREREQUISITE: Family Dog Manners I or equivalent Go to list of all courses to learn more about prerequisite class(es)

Polish, Politeness, and Consistency  

Family Dog Manners II steps your training up a notch to polish the essential behaviors you want solid in your dog: polite walking, recall, sit/down/stay. As much as the weather will allow, FDMII will be moving your team outside each class after some time working in the Gym. We will be emphasizing politely walking past other dogs, coming when called from greater distances around distractions, and a solid Stay. Family Dog Manners II can be repeated as many times as you want. Our goal, over time, is consistent performance when we ask for a behavior, whether or not there is a sheep in sight, a goat staring your direction, another dog in the room, or strangers walking past. We will enjoy a variety of games during training so it isn’t at all routine or boring for either dogs or humans. Training will still be FUN!! Come join in and put some polish on that pup!

Special Notes: During nice weather, this class might involve training with your dog outside of the building, on our fully fenced campus.  Wear comfortable shoes so you can safely walk over gravel, grass and pavement.  The distances are fairly close, but the surfaces vary.

This class is best suited for:  Any dogs who have strong foundation skills in basic at home and are wanting to improve those in more public settings and with more distractions.

Min/Max Enrollment:  4/8

Bring the Following to Class
- Flat buckle collar or harness
- 6 foot leash
- Water and water container
- Comfortable mat or dog bed or dog’s kennel
- MANY small tasty treats of different values
- Pouch or deep pockets for easy access to treats (fast, easy access is important)
- Clicker

You will learn:
- to monitor your dog’s thresholds for coping with distractions/stress and adjust your training
- to help your dog make better choices and have better impulse control
- to improve your timing/reinforcement when marking behaviors you want your dog to repeat
- to strengthen your dog’s skills with sit/down/leave it/loose leash walking/focus around ever more challenging distractions
- the next steps of building a reliable off- leash recall (come when called).
- to teach wait/stay and down at a distance

Your Dog will learn:
- to calm him/herself and make better choices
- to focus and practice skills in the presence of much more challenging distractions
- the difference between wait (pause) and stay in place until released
- more advanced stages of a truly reliable off-leash recall
- to lie down at a distance