Thursday May 8
9am - 1:30pm – Super Stopped contacts
Based on the online class offered by Rachel Pearson, this workshop will be an (abbreviated) synopsis of her method of training a 2-on-2-off for the dog walk and/or A-frame. This method focuses on teaching independence in the performance of the behavior (the 2o2o), the dog's ability to drive forward into the position, and the ability to remain in the position despite whatever distractions they may encounter (including handler motion) until being cued to do something else. This workshop will follow a step-by-step "blueprint", but will also troubleshoot current issues folks may be having with their stopped contact training. Dogs must be at least 6 months of age (dogs under 12 months will not be permitted on contact equipment but may do conceptual training). For questions regarding a dog's eligibility for the class, please email Rachel at info@strategicdogsports.com
$195 limit 7 working teams. Email to audit: $100.

2:30 - 6:30pm – Convergence
For agility we spend a lot of time training dogs to go away from us. However, we don't spend near as much time teaching them to do the opposite, which they have to do almost just as often! Dogs who do things like run into their handler's knees, go around their handler to the incorrect side of their bodies after a side change, fail to collect when jumping into their handler's path, or who just avoid coming toward their handler at all, are all lacking training in how to convergence on their handler's line. This class will train convergence and collection into the handler's space, starting with flat work and building up to jumps and tunnels. It is appropriate for dogs 6 months of age and older (dogs under 12 months will not be permitted to jump but may go over jump bumps.)
$195 limit 7 working teams. Email to audit: $100.

Friday May 9
9am - 2pm – Discriminations (using stimulus control)
As agility has evolved, so has our understanding of what a "discrimination" is, and so has the way that we see them presented in courses. Training discriminations is so much more involved than just pushing or pulling on the dog's line in a sequence, and discriminations are no longer limited to just tunnels under contacts. A dog's true understanding of a discrimination is to truly understand how to listen to and prioritize the handler's verbal cue for the obstacle. This workshop will study cue discrimination at the conceptual and training level, and apply the training to small sequences. Appropriate for dogs 12 months and up (or by approval). Dog's must be fluent in performance on tunnels and jumps. Use of a Treat N Train and/or placed toy is highly encouraged.
$195 limit 8 working teams. Email to audit: $100.

3 - 7pm – International Handling
For those wanting work on handling international/UKI/ISC style courses. Dog and handler teams must be proficient in independent performance of obstacles, including backside pushes, as well as threadle-wraps and threadle-slices. No dogs under 15 months of age.
$195 limit 5 working teams. Email to audit: $100.

Registration opens Wednesday April 2 at 8pm EST.