Finishing Courses are designed to get you into competition. Here, we cover any elements that have not been addressed earlier, with a heavy focus on preparing you and your dog for the stressors of competition. Nothing is left to chance – your dog will be exposed to a wide variety of possibilities to make you the strongest team possible.
Open is fun! Utility is not futility!! Are you getting ready to show, or are showing in open or utility? This is the class for you! We will be covering all the exercises in both classes and skill building our performances. Each team will train at the level they are currently at, so you do not have to be ready to show in utility to join this class. Emphasis in this class is crisp, clean performances that knock the judge’s socks off!
We will cover these skills in class:
Heeling with attention on handler
Figure 8
Signals, getting good solid behavior that is reliable at a distance.
Drop on Recall, emphasis on fast and accurate drops
Retrieves, we will cover them all! Dumbbell, glove, scent discrimination
Directed jumping, breaking down the chain to build accuracy
Stays, every stay is covered, group exercises along with in motion stays required for utility
Fronts and Finishes, yep, even more in utility, save those points with accurate fronts and finishes.
Putting together your ring performance and knowing when you are ready to show.
Get ready to put your training in high gear! Trialing at the top levels is not easy. Both Open and Utility require the dog to start work independently of the handler and at a distance. In this class we will be working on making sure you dog has the confidence in their task, and appropriate skill sets for the classes. We will also build the dogs ability to work independently and at a distance from the handler.
Registration
Next class session starts: December 01, 2014
Registration starts: November 22, 2014 12:30pm PST
Registration ends: December 15, 2014
Enrollment limits: Gold: 15 students, Silver: 25 students, Bronze: unlimited. If you are interested in bronze level, you can sign up any time during the registration period.
For answers to commonly asked questions see our FAQ page.
Heeling, the forever skill! Working on precision of heeling as well as duration needed for the classes we are showing in.
Figure 8. Working on the figure 8 to make sure the dog can stay in position as the handler pulls away from the dog and turns into to the dog.
Signals. Utility signals are covered, although other venue position changes may also be covered, depending on needs of the class. It is all about control at a distance for this exercise. From just starting to teach signals, to proofing them, to remedial training for undesired creeping and movement will be addressed.
Week 2:
Drop on Recall. Control out of motion is the name of this game. Having your dog understand when one cue is given and another interrupts it, to react immediately. Training for crisp drops without forward motion is the goal.
Moving Stand for Exam. Some dogs find this easy, others not so much! Making sure your dog understands the stop signal, and is comfortable with you continuing to move on in heel. Making sure that the approach and exam by the judge is comfortable for your dog, as well as the release to heel.
Week 3:
Retrieve mania! The retrieve is an important aspect of obedience, so making sure the dog has a good foundation is important. We will make sure that the dog understands how to pick up and hold objects as they deliver them to hand.
Dumbbell. Proper fitting and training of the retrieve is paramount. Once the retrieve on the flat looks good, adding the high jump is next. How to break down the high jump retrieve so the dog understands what to do.
Gloves. The directed retrieve adds a new element to the retrieve game, multiple choice with the handler directing the dog which of the choices to make. Marking is a key component of this exercise and will be covered.
Scent discrimination. Another retrieve, but of a handler scented article. Making sure your dog understands the scent discrimination apart from a retrieve is important! Breaking this down so that the dog has the skill sets necessary to quickly search the pile and confidently locate and retrieve the correct article will be discussed.
Week 4:
Broad Jump. The challenge to this jump is that it is low and long. Making sure your dog sees this as a jump is important, as well as proofing your dog to take the jump confidently.
Directed Jumping. Several behavior chains in one exercise! Breaking down the DJ exercise so that the dog understands all aspects. Trouble shooting any problems handlers are having. Making sure the dog can perform the exercise with distractions.
Week 5:
All the other stuff!
Stays. Need I say more? Stays for open groups, stays for recalls, stays for MSE, stays while you mark a glove, stays while you wait for a judge to place a scent discrimination article and stays while you walk across the ring to do signals! One of the most important skills that can make or break an obedience dog! Make sure your dog understands what you want and finds doing it rewarding, no worried dogs on stays is the goal!!
Fronts and Finshes. There are 4 in open and 7 in utility. If you want good scores and placements, you have to care about your fronts and finishes. Tightening up your criteria and making sure that when you add them to the chain they solid will be addressed.
Transitions between exercises. How do you get from your scent discrimination exercise to your directed retrieve exercise, for example? Stewards are in the ring, the judge is moving, and you need to stay connected to your dog and move as a team to the next set up. We will cover training the dog to move with you between exercises and setting up ready to work on the next exercise.
Week 6:
You, your dog and your performance! This week is all about where you are right now in training and how to get to your next training goal. Setting up your sessions for success, and building up the duration that your dog will work between reinforcements is discussed. This is the week that we work on making sure you have a clear plan of how to get you and your dog ready for their next competition. Some teams may be doing run thrus or working on multiple chains to get trial ready.
Prerequisites and Equipment
Handlers should be fimiliar with their venues rules and regulations.
Handlers will need appropriate equipement for their training which may include:
Here's your chance to polish up your obedience skills for the AKC ring. Nancy has put 4 AKC OTChs on her dogs and judged AKC obedience for 20 years.
Gold Students - You decide what you need help with from Novice to Utility and she will help you develop a plan to reach your goals.
Silver Students - You can join and ask questions about the training that the Gold students are working on. Nancy can not take any personal training questions from the silvers. If you want to know what types of training the Gold students are working on, contact her directly or look at the syllabus for initial information from Gold students.
Bronze students: There is a WEALTH of information being discussed in this class. See the class syllabus for a list of the dogs that are participating, and read what sorts of issues they are working through.
If you are preparing a dog for obedience trials and you need the tiny details and polishing put into place, this class is a must for you.
Denise Fenzi (she/her) has competed in a wide range of dog sports – titling dogs in obedience (AKC and UKC), tracking (AKC and schutzhund), schutzhund (USA), mondioring (MRSA), herding (AKC), conformation (AKC), and agility (AKC). She is best known for her flashy and precise ... (Click here for full bio and to view Denise's upcoming courses)
Australian Shepherd (Open) - Drop on Recall, heeling
Prerequisites and Equipment
N/A
Course Testimonials
A SAMPLING OF WHAT PRIOR STUDENTS HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS COURSE...
This class was one of the best classes I have taken at FDSA in that it was packed full of excellent information in so many different areas of obedience, from handling to teaching an exercise. This class rocked!!! Nancy, thank you for all your hard work, it cannot be an easy class to teach. We hope you teach it again, we will definitely try for Gold again!!! ~ Chris and Yuri
I am so impressed by Nancy's professionalism. And willingness to listen when a concern was voiced and make modifications so that I could Lear and we could make progress. I only wish this class was offered every term.
I can't say enough about the level of expertise and ingenuity that this class revealed in our instructor, Nancy Little. She worked with a WIDE variety of training problems and I was able to glean information from everything she said! What an amazing class!
Words cannot describe what an incredible class this was. Not just Nancy's eye, as that of a judge, but her ability to teach or tweak every single exercise in a way that makes the dogs just glow with happiness. What an absolutely fantastic class. I wish it could go on forever! Mary Ann E
Nancy was thorough and kind, and provided concise and targeted feedback that fixed some major heeling issues within a few video submissions. This class was exactly what I needed to clean up my handling.
I would love to see the Handler's Choice with Nancy Little every session. It is a great stepping stone or class for experienced students that are still working on training and issues. We get to set the pace and exercises that are most important to our progress.
Nancy has a great eye for detail while keeping the big picture in mind and it is obvious that she brings a wealth of experience to her teaching. She helped me figure out specific steps to improve my training sessions and the results were obvious. She helped me prioritize what I needed to focus on as I prepare my dog for Open emphasizing building a strong working relationship and joyful attitude. I would gladly take this class over again for the opportunity to work with Nancy.
Registration
There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please
subscribe to our mailing list for notifications.
Registration opens at 11:30am Pacific Time.
FE101: Relationship Building Through Play
OB455 Gold
$260.00
Gold level access includes all lecture and video materials, ability to post questions and videos to the course forum, and feedback on all questions asked in the forum as well as feedback on both written and video assignments.
OB455 Silver
$130.00
Silver Level includes access to all course materials and the ability to participate in the discussion forum. Students may ask GENERAL questions about course materials and may submit two, one-minute videos for instructor feedback
OB455 Bronze
$65.00
Bronze Level Access includes all lecture and video materials, and the ability to read all questions and answers posted in the class forum. You will not post questions or submit written or video assignments.
I lied. We are totally going to chain it. But through chaining... FREEDOM!
Freedom from hot dogs in your pockets. Freedom from balls in your armpit. Freedom from feeling "chained" to reinforcing every behavior with a primary reinforcer.
Build trust, confidence, and motivation through the power of behavior chains. Sequence your performance behaviors to teach the dog that reinforcement outside the ring is totally worth the performance inside the ring.
Goal: To be able to set up a reinforcement station (like food at your chair/crate), move the dog into a different space (like a ring), perform a continuous chain of behaviors (like a performance), and then exit to the reinforcement.
Registration
There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please
subscribe to our mailing list for notifications.
Registration will begin at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time.
Gold Level includes access to all course materials and the ability to post questions and videos to the course forums. Students will receive instructor feedback on written and video assignments.
Silver Level includes access to all course materials and the ability to participate in the discussion forum. Students may ask GENERAL questions about course materials and may submit two, one-minute videos for instructor feedback. Any questions specific to your dog MUST be accompanied by a video.
Bronze Level includes access to all course materials and the ability to read all questions and answers posted in the class forums. Students will not post questions or submit written or video assignments.
For more details, refund policies, and answers to commonly asked questions see our FAQ page.
*I'm still working on the curriculum for this course over the next couple of weeks. These are some of the specific topics that we will be covering, but the order is subject to change. STAY TUNED!
Cues as reinforcers
Zen bowl review
Mini-chains
Reinforcement rituals
Voluntarily entering food-free space to access reinforcer
Leash on/off routine
Exit the ring to reinforcement
Transitioning between exercises
Sequencing exercises to final reinforcement ritual
The first thing we need to understand is that cues are reinforcers.
Cues are reinforcing because they are opportunities, and opportunities are very reinforcing. Even if you don’t get anything yet! Just the opportunity to possibly get something can be HUGELY reinforcing (depending on what exactly that opportunity represents).
What that means for us is that *IF* a cue is a reliable predictor of an opportunity for reinforcement, the cue becomes a conditioned reinforcer.
Cue -> Behavior -> Event Marker -> +R
The cue becomes a tertiary reinforcer because it is 2 degrees removed from a primary (or unconditioned) reinforcer.
So because the cue is a conditioned reinforcer, it has the same power as an event marker as a click.
IN FACT (and this is really totally mind blowing, or it was for me), the *click* IS a cue. It predicts a very reliable behavior… eat food! (We can get more complicated than that, but it’s not terribly relevant for this class, so I’ll refrain.)
So every single behavior you train is actually a mini-behavior chain. Cool, right? I KNOW!
Ok, so I think it’s important to know that, while these secondary and tertiary conditioned reinforcers do require conditioning, these are natural processes that are occurring to and around us all the time.
In fact, the process of conditioned reinforcement through associative learning (which is what is underlying the chaining concept), is how animals learn to do complex tasks in the wild for evolutionary benefit. For example tool use, foraging strategies, and any behavior that must be coordinated for a period of time before the payoff (wolves hunting?). This is observable and repeated over and over again in many, many species… birds, alpacas, primates…
Crow learning a behavior chain to access food:
How conditioned reinforcers work
So at some point you have heard that because we pair a click with food, the click becomes a secondary (conditioned) reinforcer, and so eventually the click itself becomes reinforcing. This is true! However, we are talking about reinforcement in the scientific sense. Some folks may have slightly misunderstood this idea of a conditioned reinforcer, and then extended this to include clicking without treating as the way to go, because the click is now a conditioned reinforcer and has reinforcing power on it’s own.
The click is only reinforcing because it reliably predicts an opportunity for the primary reinforcement. If we turn the click into a poor predictor of primary reinforcer, by not feeding when we click, then it will quickly lose that conditioned power like a new car loses value after you drive it off the lot.
As long as the relationship between the click and the food is maintained, the sound of the click WILL act to reinforce whatever behavior is occurring at the time the click is perceived. When that relationship is broken, the click no longer reliably predicts food… it loses is reinforcement property, and can quickly become noise.
Our cues work the same way.
Different primary reinforcers (like kibble vs hotdog), have different relative values. The same also goes for behaviors and their relevant cues. The value of a particular behavior/cue will vary depending on the situation.
Take this situation for example:
Your initial state: holding a warm Krispy Kreme doughnut + hungry
You have a limited behavioral repertoire (for the sake of this game, bear with me):
Put doughnut in mouth
Throw doughnut on ground
Jumping jacks
Running
Your brain will consider each of these options as behavioral choices in this situation, and assign values to each option. If you are a normal human, you will likely VERY quickly assign a HIGH value to choice #1, and dismiss the other choices as not advantageous.
In this case, the situation of doughnut in hand is a cue, the behavior that cue predicts is doughnut in mouth, and doughnut in mouth is a reliable predictor of JOY!
Your state has now changed and your brain assesses the new state to be an improvement over the initial state. This is good!
So this is how a single behavior is learned… and we do it all the time.
However, how did you learn to drive to Krispy Kreme, go inside, purchase a box of hot delicious doughnuts, open the box, and pick up a doughnut… so that you could find yourself in the position to make the choice to either eat it or throw it on the ground?
That is a behavior chain.
Each choice that you make in the sequence that takes you from hungry in your house to eating a warm doughnut at Krispy Kreme acquires a conditioned reinforcement value… and the value of the primary reinforcer at the end of the sequence transfers forward in the chain.
This works because each behavior that you complete within the sequence changes your state to one you associate with being closer to doughnut consumption.
State 1: Hungry at home
State 2: Driving to Krispy Kreme
State 3: Ordering at the register
State 4: Holding box of hot doughnuts
State 5: Open box of hot doughnuts
State 6: Doughnut in hand
State 7: JOY!
You know from previous learning history that each successive state is predictive. So in fact, when you make a choice, the new state functions as a cue… an opportunity to make another choice. That choice results in a change of state, and that new state is good (because closer to doughnut), and so that new state functions to reinforce the choice you just made AND as a cue to then make another choice.
You can also see that if there was a gap in the chain. If you chose to drive to Krispy Kreme, and it was closed (I know it’s upsetting to think about)… you would not find the new state that resulted from your driving to be functionally reinforcing. If you then ran a few errands and came back, and it was open, you might still get your doughnut, but you have a broken chain because the behavior of driving directly from your house to Krispy Kreme was not reinforced.
If you sat in the parking lot for a few minutes and then it opened, your chain may still function. You may simply learn to put a little duration on your parking lot behavior, because it was, in fact, reinforced. But as soon as you leave Krispy Kreme property without your doughnut, your chain has broken.
Each state only works to maintain the chain because each new state tells you that you are closer to your goal.
In behavior chain terms, these successive states are called “internal” cues, because there is no one outside your “box” giving you cues (not entirely in this case, because you likely responded to external cues in the form of traffic signals on the way).
If someone told you to drive, then park, then open the door, then order the doughnut, then open the box, then put the doughnut in your mouth… those would be “external” cues. Yes, that would be odd and controlling (and can you imagine of one of those cues were to be late? OMG!), but that’s how it would function in theory. And it might make sense if you had no learning experience to draw on that told you which actions to take to get closer to your goal.
But in either case, the cue to do the next thing reinforces the previous action. If at any point, you are left hanging… waiting for information (what do I do now?), the reinforcing value of that cue is lost. The cue (whether external from a handler or internal from a changed state) MUST occur just as you complete the previous behavior.
In performance chains, we have a combination of internal cues and external cues maintaining the chain. Many will come from you as the handler. Some will come from the dog’s state changing in the environment. “Oh! I have a dumbbell in my mouth! That’s a new state! I choose to bring it to my handler!"
And that is also why a “poisoned” cue will not function well within a chain. If the cue does not reliably predict a desired outcome, then the reinforcing value of the cue is lost.
In Karen Pryor's words, "Even though successful response to a given discriminative stimulus is still followed by reward, if failure is now followed by punishment, you have made that discriminative stimulus ambiguous in terms of predictable outcome. It is no longer 'safe.' You have poisoned your cue."
A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...
I LOVE all of Hannah's classes! She teaches things I didn't even know that I didn't know and NEEDED to learn! Thank you!
I think many of us thought about getting into the ring and making our dogs comfortable. But no one else has addressed getting out of the ring! How to make your exit reinforce your work so your dog wants to go back and work again. Only Hannah's class has ever addressed this that I know of. One of the top classes I have ever taken.
Thank you, Hannah! This has been one of the most helpful classes I've taken at the academy. I really didn't understand how chains worked at all, before this class, so that was a tool I just didn't have in my toolbox. I didn't know how to create chains, how to maintain them, or what to do when they broke down. I feel like I now have such a better understanding of how to build training sessions and how to work on trial prep with something other than just simple skill building and ring confidence. I know have an understanding of the whole picture, and what I can do to get there!
No one, but no one breaks tasks down like Hannah does. I would take any class she teaches (and often have). She also addresses the emotional aspects of tasks which I hear from few others outside the FDSA group.
I love how Hannah bases her training on science. I also love how she teaches us to break out behaviors to train them, and to fix a behavior that breaks.
I read all the lectures and looked at the videos and learned so much with the small amount of time I was able to devote to the classes! I have incorporated what I have learned into our training sessions and have seen a difference in my dog's focus and enjoyment. I will most certainly be taking classes in the future. Thank you! Hadley A.
Are you losing points in the obedience ring? Are you getting ready to trial your dog in obedience and would like to clean up one or two exercises? Would you like help pointing out areas that need some training? Do you want help with handling? Want an OTCh? Want to just get through Novice with your first dog? Whether you are an experienced obedience competitor or someone that has never shown in the ring, this class will help you learn what is needed to do to improve your performance and your scores. You might want to work on petty little 1/2 point deductions from your ring performance. You might want suggestions to help prepare you for the ring. Or you might not even know what you need yet - but you want someone to tell you what you need.
This class will focus more on the fine tuning of exercises or performances. Fine tuning doesn't have to mean high scores, either. With some dogs, it doesn't make sense to ask for perfection - we want happy, confident dogs in the ring as the goal for trialing.
Nancy judged AKC obedience trials for over 20 years, including 4 regional and national obedience tournaments. She put an OTCh on her Novice A Labrador Retriever and also placed in national tournaments. She completed AKC OTChs on 4 dogs and placed in many national tournaments with these dogs. Nancy can help you pinpoint areas that will help improve your performance.
This course will be based on the needs of the Gold students. There aren't any formal lectures planned - the information for this class will be included in the Gold student's homework forum. These forums will be archived and included in your library at the end of the class instead of lectures.
Gold Students - You decide which areas that need help or Nancy can help you decide.
Silver Students – Silver students will be able to submit 2 short videos - one minute each - during the 6 weeks session. As always, you can also ask any question about the training that the Gold students are working through. There will be many interesting training topics. If you aren't sure, sign up at bronze, get a feel for the class and then if you want to upgrade to silver, come back here.
Bronze students: There is a WEALTH of information being discussed in this class. Once the Gold students introduce themselves during the first week and decide on an problem, Nancy will update the class syllabus with a list of the dogs that are participating as well as the training exercises or areas they plan on working.
Registration
There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please
subscribe to our mailing list for notifications.
Registration will begin at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time.
For answers to commonly asked questions see our FAQ page.
Silver level for this class is offered as "Working Silver". In addition to asking GENERAL clarification questions about the class lecture materials, silver students will now have the opportunity to submit two short videos, one minute each, for critique and review. You may submit two questions. Each question MUST have a one minute video attached so the instructor can actually answer a question that they can see. The question must relate to a topic in the class and the video must be a demo of the question. Please see the discussion forum for a detailed explanation - feel free to sign up at bronze, read the explanation, and then come back here to upgrade to silver if that interests you, and if space is available.
If you are interested in a bronze level subscription, you can sign up at any time during the registration period.
Since this class will focus on preparing performances for the trials, dogs should have most of the training in place (Novice, Open, or Utility) for the ring. However, there is the possibility that something may need to be retrained in order to achieve the results that you want.
There are no lectures in this class. The Gold students threads will contain a wealth of information and will be archived into your library instead of the lectures.
Here is your chance to get help with you dog’s Open and/or Utility training. Whether it is a big or small issue, Nancy will isolate the details that need attention. Then she will help you develop a training plan for your dog that will move you forward towards the desired behavior. Nancy brings a lot of judging (20+ years) and training experience (4 OTChs and many national rankings and tournament placements) into her teaching. Her problem-solving classes are wonderful opportunities to learn lots of great training exercises, handling tips, and tools.
Gold Students - You decide which areas that need help. We will start with one training issue and when you have a training plan, you can address additional problems.
Silver Students – Silver students will be able to submit 2 short videos - one minute each - during the 6 weeks session. Nancy will analyze each video and help you develop a training plan. As always, you can also ask any question about the training that the Gold students are working through. There will be many interesting training topics. If you aren't sure, sign up at bronze, get a feel for the class and then if you want to upgrade to silver, come back here.
Bronze students: There is a WEALTH of information being discussed in this class. Once the Gold students introduce themselves during the first week and decide on a problem, Nancy will update the class syllabus with a list of the dogs that are participating as well as the training exercises or areas they plan on working.
Registration
There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please
subscribe to our mailing list for notifications.
Gold Level includes access to all course materials and the ability to post questions and videos to the course forums. Students will receive instructor feedback on written and video assignments.
Silver Level includes access to all course materials and the ability to participate in the discussion forum. Students may ask GENERAL questions about course materials and may submit two, one-minute videos for instructor feedback. Any questions specific to your dog MUST be accompanied by a video.
Bronze Level includes access to all course materials and the ability to read all questions and answers posted in the class forums. Students will not post questions or submit written or video assignments.
For more details, refund policies, and answers to commonly asked questions see our FAQ page.
There is no syllabus for this class. The Gold and Silver students will determine what the content will be in this class.
Here is the list (as of 11/27) of the breeds and the areas will be addressed initially when the class starts on December 1st. This list will be updated as the Gold students introduce themselves. There are 12 Gold students registered. For now, we have:
Beagle – Putting all the exercises together to get the dog ring ready, including transitions from one exercise to the next.
Labrador – Fronts and Finishes, Drop on Recall, Retrieves (playing with the dumbbell), more consistency to a few exercises in Open.
Australian Shepherd – Open ring confidence, transitions between exercises, ring readiness.
Australian Shepherd – Drop on Recall
Samoyed – Drop on Recall, Open Position changes, More drive towards the dumbbell on both retrieves.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Increase distance on Utility exercises, add distractions, longer intervals of work before reinforcement.
Border Collie - Strengthen the Open & Utility exercises. Ensure a consistent and confident performance.
Cocker Spaniel - Broad jump, heeling, enthusiasm and confidence in the ring.
You must be training your dog in Open and/or Utility exercises to take this class. You do not have to have any titles and you do not have to be trialing or even close to trialing. This course is not intended as a teaching/skills building class. It is intended to help guide students with training they are currently doing. However, there might be opportunities to start over and retrain certain behaviors, if Nancy feels that that is the best solution.
A sampling of what prior students have said about this class ...
Nancy, Thanks so much for offering this terrific class and for sharing your vast knowledge. It's just cool to see the many options and suggestions you can provide. I hope to see you at gold next session! Clarissa
Loved this course! I have put OTCH titles on two dogs and am working with my third dog. I learned an amazing amount in this course, so many new ways to train the Utility and Open exercises. Nancy was wonderful. Her clear and detailed instructions, tailored to suit each dog, were just what I needed. The Gold and Silver students were a positive and supportive group.
This class tops my list so far! Nancy's expert and very detailed coaching coupled with an amazing group of gold and silver trainers made it just spectacular. I was able to mine tons of valuable information for my own use through Nancy's coaching of each of them. I went into it with high expectations as I have worked with Nancy before, but this time it even exceeded those.
This course is unquestionably the best dog training instruction I have ever received, and I've been taking occasional "live" classes for almost 20 years.
This class was amazing and just what we needed, too bad it doesn't keep going on longer. I know I loved the class but even better is my dog loved it too. Nancy, thank you so very much for helping us. I feel like we have improved so much and I have a better understanding of my part so I can help Duke. I was at the point where I was thinking maybe he didn't like doing this but you showed us how much he really does like it. I love to see him get so excited about his go-outs. Thank you again :)
This class is one of the best I've taken (and I fall into the category of haven taken so many, I can't even count them). I've learned so much not only from my own work with Nancy, but from following my fellow students' threads. I didn't feel bad about not being able to work on every obedience exercise with Nancy, because I can apply the instruction to other students to myself. It was so worthwhile to spend (in my case) 3 solid weeks working on one exercise, followed by 3 weeks on another exercise that I really felt I made progress. Nancy is phenomenal about reading a dog and handler and picking out what they need to do next to succeed. And Nancy is SO supportive- I felt myself smiling every time I read her responses to me. Thank you Nancy! This class is worth its weight in "Gold." Molly B
THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE OCTOBER 2018 SESSION
Let’s put all of our training together and get your dog ready to rock in the Novice Obedience ring! We will look at building your dog’s confidence in new locations, helping your dog generalize the skills, adding realistic ring distractions to your dog’s skills, sequencing the skills together and we will go through all the steps to wean your dog off of that cookie in your hand or in your pocket. We will go over heeling, figure 8’s, transitioning from on-leash exercises to off-leash exercises, stand for exam, fronts and finishes, ring entrances and ring exits. Your confidence as a handler will improve when we discuss ring nerves and how to prepare yourself mentally for the ring and for the trial. Gold students can problem solve areas where their dog struggled in previous competition obedience events.
Get ready! This class will show you the pieces that you and your dog need to be prepared to enter the Novice obedience ring, whether that is Preferred Novice, Beginner Novice, or Novice! Whether your style of heeling and fronts is in line with AKC, CKC, FCI or IPO, this class will show you how the finishing pieces to ensuring that your dog's performance in the ring is simply brilliant.
*Dogs need to have some heeling, some fronts and finishes, some engagement and stays to be ready to take this class.
Registration
There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please
subscribe to our mailing list for notifications.
THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE OCTOBER 2018 SESSION
At a minimum, the dogs need to know how to pivot without a prop, find heel position on the flat, stand on cue, stay for short periods of time and engage and focus on you for brief periods of time in new locations.
For the best results, please plan on training in an environment with distractions once a week (the local park, shopping plaza or training club).
How we reinforce a behavior is just as important as how often we reinforce a behavior.
Reward Placement:
Action behaviors
Action behaviors such as weaves and go outs where the dog is moving away from you, ideally are rewarded away from you. The easiest way to do that is to throw the reward onto the dog's path.
Action behaviors where the dog is moving towards us and we want the dog to stay out at a distance, ideally we reward behind the dog because most dogs are motivated to come towards the handler and because we want to build value for being at a distance from the handler.
Action behaviors where we want to build value for coming to us (loose leash walking, recalls or in agility to reward dogs who likes to stay out at a distance), we will want the reward to happen at the handler or behind the handler. We can reward by throwing the reward behind us or at our feet or between our legs to build more enthusiasm. To build more thoughtfulness, we can hand the reward to the dog.
Precision behaviors
For behaviors where we want precision such as heeling, fronts, 2 feet on an item, etc, ideally, we want to reward in a way that builds more value to what we want or off-sets the dog's normal tendency in order to build more precision. For example, my dogs are more likely to forge in heeling. To offset this, when I reward, the treat is transferred from my right hand to my left hand behind my back and then delivered to the dog either at or slightly behind heel position. For dogs who tend to lag, then we will want the reward to happen ahead of heel position by tossing the reward ahead of the dog. For dogs who heel too wide, we want the reward to be placed really close to us.
For fronts, it is really important that the reward is stored either at the center of our bodies (treats in your mouth), on both sides of your body (treat in both hands, one treat delivered from both hands at the same time) or behind you (send the dog through your legs for the reward). Storing the rewards in your right pocket and delivering them slightly to the right of center will result over time in the dog fronting slightly to the right of center.
It is okay to lure the dog to the ideal location to receive their reward.
Stationary behaviors
Ideally, we want to reward stationary behaviors in position to help build duration and prevent extra movement from the dog during the behavior. If we want to build more enthusiasm for the behavior, then we can reward out of position by having the dog chase or catch the treat. In general, it is more exciting to chase a reward than it is to receive a reward in position.
Abundance of Rewards:
We can use the number of rewards that we give to the dog as a reinforcement strategy to shape our dog's behavior closer to the criteria that we ultimately desire. If I give my dog one reward for moving to heel position and setting up a tiny bit crooked and I give 3 rewards for moving to heel position and setting up precisely, then through this shaping process, my dog will start to set up more precisely.
Rewarding abundantly is also a great way to build value to that location and building duration for the behavior.
Reward Type:
The type of reward that we are using plays a role in the emotional state that we are building with the behavior. If we are practicing go outs and I'm using a thrown toy to reward the dog, then that is going to create a different emotional state than if I was using food if the dog was equally motivated for both.
Exercise #3: What reinforcement strategies are you planning on using for the behaviors that you've chosen to work on
There are lots of ways to reward the dog and how we reward can help us a lot. Great reinforcement strategies can reinforce shifts in criteria that we want to build more precision or duration. Great reinforcement strategies can also off set an emotional response that we don't want (conflict, over-excitement, not enough excitement, etc.).
How do you typically reinforce your dog for heeling? How about for stays?
Turns and Pivots for Heeling Enthusiasm and Precision
Let’s take a look at our turns and pivots for heeling! Oftentimes, our dogs disconnect and lose attention during left, right and about turns. We can build a solid reinforcement history for our turns to help our dogs maintain their position and enthusiasm for heeling.
We can also use our reinforcement strategies to reward precision. In this video, Talent is being rewarded with one treat for coming to heel position. She is getting one treat, followed by some personal play and another reward for moving precisely into position. It’s a great idea to reward repeatedly in position as well.
Exercise #4: Let’s see how your dog is doing with pivots and turns- left, right and right about turns.
A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...
Mariah is wonderful. I had intended to take this class at bronze - I felt that my dog and I were not quite ready for this class, but I anticipated it giving us good direction. I upgraded to gold and i am so glad that I did. Mariah is really good at seeing where help is needed- she does a great job of giving just the right guidance to each student and she has helped us to think through questions about ring performance.
Mariah I have enjoyed every minute of Putting it Together. It has been a game changer for me. I look forward to getting even more thoughtful training tips from you.
Mariah kept me interested throughout the 6 weeks. I couldn't wait to see what was next or what she initiated in the discussion forum.
Mariah is totally committed to the success of her students no matter what level they are working at.
After popular demand, and listening to the response from many… the resulting outcome…
Handlers Choice Class with Kamal Fernandez!
During this 6weeks course, the handler can decide on WHATEVER it is that they want to work on for the duration of the course…
Yes, that's right! Absolutely anything related to your dog sports issues! At the commencement of the class, the Gold Participant may specify up to two distinct areas that they wish to focus on, which will then be the progressed throughout the 6 weeks.
This will be your chance to partake in a ‘tailored’ made class for YOU!
The course is aimed at developing and focusing on exercises/behaviors or problem-solving.
For example:
- drive issues
- ring preparation
- dealing with high drive dogs
- dealing with low drive dogs
- progressing heeling
- retrieve issues
- send away/go out
Whilst there will be overlap from previous FDSA courses, and videos access… this course will be most suitable for those who have completed the previous course but want specific help and support moving their training forward, or developing behaviors.
Teaching Approach
Handler's choice is tailored to the Gold Student's needs. You are able to select two core behaviours/skills/exercises to work on within the course, and receive feedback or content relating directly to your training. There are lectures included from previous HC classes, which may or may not relate to your own training. The majority of lectures are video format usually with voice-over describing how to handle the video content. Additional lectures/videos are provided/catered as needed specifically based on the Golds skill requirements. Feedback is giving on two areas identified at the start of the course.
Denise Fenzi (she/her) has competed in a wide range of dog sports – titling dogs in obedience (AKC and UKC), tracking (AKC and schutzhund), schutzhund (USA), mondioring (MRSA), herding (AKC), conformation (AKC), and agility (AKC). She is best known for her flashy and precise ... (Click here for full bio and to view Denise's upcoming courses)
This course is handler's choice so it will not contain a specific set of materials to work through. This is a list of the video lectures included as the "core lectures" within this class. Additional lectures are provided based on needs of the working students.
A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...
This class was awesome! The focus of each team was so different from HW to acclimation to handler mental management. Arousal issues to motivation. Kamal had incredibly tailored and innovative solutions for each team. Everybody that stuck with it excelled. As a group, it was one of those special classes in which we all cheered for one another. I had a buddy working on the same HW issues and that was great too. I loved the live stream sessions and I loved the tailored lectures. Super class Kamal. You really shined in this one and everyone else did too. So happy to see it on the schedule next session.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making dog training fun! You are a true inspiration and we sure need more Magic Kamals out there. I am forever thanful yo Denise for bringing you onboard her amazing team
Thanks Kamal for such an awesome course with so much brilliant and helpful information about the mind game for competition. I can't believe how such a wide range of information was provided to help with this area and so much great stuff for me to continue work on.
I think a good trainer helps students to figure out problem areas. Kamal finds ways to get students to think about what they are doing instead of just telling them. He reversed his feedback to me and I believe I will not forget what I figured out by watching videos I sent to him using his suggestions. He was very excited for me when I discovered a simple problem that has gone on for a very long time. I'm hoping to move forward with this and hopefully be able to get a more animated dog when we train! Bea M.
The great thing about the Handlers Choice forum is that essentially you have a successful dog trainer in your pocket for the duration of the course. Handlers choice is specific to the individual, and yet you find that there are aspects in everyones training that are relevant and applicable to your own goals. Being on the course gives you the drive to get out training, to film and record your sessions then analyse and reflect on what went well, and what can be improved upon. The support from Kamal makes sure that you are using appropriate methods and tools to work with your dog to resolve those aspects. Achieving goals and having a great time with your dog!
Registration
There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please
subscribe to our mailing list for notifications.
Registration opens at 10:30am Pacific Time
FE101: Relationship Building Through Play
OB568 Gold
$260.00
Gold level access includes all lecture and video materials, ability to post questions and videos to the course forum, and feedback on all questions asked in the forum as well as feedback on both written and video assignments.
OB568 Silver
$130.00
Silver Level includes access to all course materials and the ability to participate in the discussion forum. Students may ask GENERAL questions about course materials and may submit two, one-minute videos for instructor feedback.
OB568 Bronze
$65.00
Bronze Level Access includes all lecture and video materials, and the ability to read all questions and answers posted in the class forum. You will not post questions or submit written or video assignments.
After popular demand, and listening to the response from many…. the resulting outcome…
Handlers Choice Class with Kamal Fernandez!
During this 6weeks course, the handler can decide on WHATEVER it is that they want to work on for the duration of the course…..
Yes, that's right! Absolutely anything related to your dog sports issues! At the commencement of the class, the Gold Participant may specify up to two distinct areas that they wish to focus on, which will then be progressed throughout the 6weeks.
This will be your chance to partake in a ‘tailored’ made class for YOU!
The course is aimed at developing and focusing on exercises/behaviors or problem-solving.
For example:
- drive issues
- ring preparation
- dealing with high drive dogs
- dealing with low drive dogs
- progressing heeling
- retrieve issues
- send away/go out
Whilst there will be overlap from previous FDSA courses, and videos access… this course will be most suitable for those who have completed the previous course but want specific help and support moving their training forward, or developing behaviors.
Teaching Approach
Handler's choice is tailored to the Gold Student's needs. You are able to select two core behaviours/skills/exercises to work on within the course, and receive feedback or content relating directly to your training. There are lectures included from previous HC classes, which may or may not relate to your own training. The majority of lectures are video format usually with voice-over describing how to handle the video content. Additional lectures/videos are provided/catered as needed specifically based on the Golds skill requirements. Feedback is giving on two areas identified at the start of the course.
Denise Fenzi (she/her) has competed in a wide range of dog sports – titling dogs in obedience (AKC and UKC), tracking (AKC and schutzhund), schutzhund (USA), mondioring (MRSA), herding (AKC), conformation (AKC), and agility (AKC). She is best known for her flashy and precise ... (Click here for full bio and to view Denise's upcoming courses)
This course is handler's choice so it will not contain a specific set of materials to work through. This is a list of the video lectures included as the "core lectures" within this class. Additional lectures are provided based on needs of the working students.
A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...
This class was awesome! The focus of each team was so different from HW to acclimation to handler mental management. Arousal issues to motivation. Kamal had incredibly tailored and innovative solutions for each team. Everybody that stuck with it excelled. As a group, it was one of those special classes in which we all cheered for one another. I had a buddy working on the same HW issues and that was great too. I loved the live stream sessions and I loved the tailored lectures. Super class Kamal. You really shined in this one and everyone else did too. So happy to see it on the schedule next session.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making dog training fun! You are a true inspiration and we sure need more Magic Kamals out there. I am forever thankful yo Denise for bringing you onboard her amazing team
Thanks, Kamal for such an awesome course with so much brilliant and helpful information about the mind game for competition. I can't believe how such a wide range of information was provided to help with this area and so much great stuff for me to continue work on.
I think a good trainer helps students to figure out problem areas. Kamal finds ways to get students to think about what they are doing instead of just telling them. He reversed his feedback to me and I believe I will not forget what I figured out by watching videos I sent to him using his suggestions. He was very excited for me when I discovered a simple problem that has gone on for a very long time. I'm hoping to move forward with this and hopefully be able to get a more animated dog when we train! Bea M.
The great thing about the Handlers Choice forum is that essentially you have a successful dog trainer in your pocket for the duration of the course. Handlers choice is specific to the individual, and yet you find that there are aspects in everyone's training that are relevant and applicable to your own goals. Being on the course gives you the drive to get out training, to film and record your sessions then analyse and reflect on what went well, and what can be improved upon. The support from Kamal makes sure that you are using appropriate methods and tools to work with your dog to resolve those aspects. Achieving goals and having a great time with your dog!
Registration
There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please
subscribe to our mailing list for notifications.
Registration will open at 11:30am Pacific Time
FE101: Relationship Building Through Play
OB569 Gold
$260.00
Gold level access includes all lecture and video materials, ability to post questions and videos to the course forum, and feedback on all questions asked in the forum as well as feedback on both written and video assignments.
OB569 Silver
$130.00
Silver Level includes access to all course materials and the ability to participate in the discussion forum. Students may ask GENERAL questions about course materials and may submit two, one-minute videos for instructor feedback.
OB569 Bronze
$65.00
Bronze Level Access includes all lecture and video materials, and the ability to read all questions and answers posted in the class forum. You will not post questions or submit written or video assignments.
After popular demand, and listening to the response from many…. the resulting outcome…
Handlers Choice Class with Kamal Fernandez!
During this 6weeks course, the handler can decide on WHATEVER it is that they want to work on for the duration of the course…..
Yes, that's right! Absolutely anything related to your dog sports issues! At the commencement of the class, the Gold Participant may specify up to two distinct areas that they wish to focus on, which will then be the progressed throughout the 6 weeks.
This will be your chance to partake in a ‘tailored’ made class for YOU!
The course is aimed at developing and focusing on exercises/behaviors or problem-solving.
For example:
- drive issues
- ring preparation
- dealing with high drive dogs
- dealing with low drive dogs
- progressing heeling
- retrieve issues
- send away/go out
Whilst there will be overlap from previous FDSA courses, and videos access… this course will be most suitable for those who have completed the previous course but want specific help and support moving their training forward, or developing behaviors.
A set of "core" lectures is provided on some common sport training issues (heeling, tugging, play etc.) and the balance of lectures/videos will be provided based on the needs of the gold students.
Teaching Approach
Handler's choice is tailored to the Gold Student's needs. You are able to select two core behaviours/skills/exercises to work on within the course, and receive feedback or content relating directly to your training. There are lectures included from previous HC classes, which may or may not relate to your own training. The majority of lectures are video format usually with voice-over describing how to handle the video content. Additional lectures/videos are provided/catered as needed specifically based on the Golds skill requirements. Feedback is giving on two areas identified at the start of the course.
Denise Fenzi (she/her) has competed in a wide range of dog sports – titling dogs in obedience (AKC and UKC), tracking (AKC and schutzhund), schutzhund (USA), mondioring (MRSA), herding (AKC), conformation (AKC), and agility (AKC). She is best known for her flashy and precise ... (Click here for full bio and to view Denise's upcoming courses)
This course is handler's choice so it will not contain a specific set of materials to work through. This is a list of the video lectures included as the "core lectures" within this class. Additional lectures are provided based on needs of the working students.
A sampling of what prior students have said about Kamal's Handler Choice Classes ...
This class was awesome! The focus of each team was so different from HW to acclimation to handler mental management. Arousal issues to motivation. Kamal had incredibly tailored and innovative solutions for each team. Everybody that stuck with it excelled. As a group, it was one of those special classes in which we all cheered for one another. I had a buddy working on the same HW issues and that was great too. I loved the live stream sessions and I loved the tailored lectures. Super class Kamal. You really shined in this one and everyone else did too. So happy to see it on the schedule next session.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making dog training fun! You are a true inspiration and we sure need more Magic Kamals out there. I am forever thanful yo Denise for bringing you onboard her amazing team
Thanks Kamal for such an awesome course with so much brilliant and helpful information about the mind game for competition. I can't believe how such a wide range of information was provided to help with this area and so much great stuff for me to continue work on.
I think a good trainer helps students to figure out problem areas. Kamal finds ways to get students to think about what they are doing instead of just telling them. He reversed his feedback to me and I believe I will not forget what I figured out by watching videos I sent to him using his suggestions. He was very excited for me when I discovered a simple problem that has gone on for a very long time. I'm hoping to move forward with this and hopefully be able to get a more animated dog when we train! Bea M.
The great thing about the Handlers Choice forum is that essentially you have a successful dog trainer in your pocket for the duration of the course. Handlers choice is specific to the individual, and yet you find that there are aspects in everyones training that are relevant and applicable to your own goals. Being on the course gives you the drive to get out training, to film and record your sessions then analyse and reflect on what went well, and what can be improved upon. The support from Kamal makes sure that you are using appropriate methods and tools to work with your dog to resolve those aspects. Achieving goals and having a great time with your dog!
Registration
There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please
subscribe to our mailing list for notifications.
Registration opens at 11:30am Pacific Time.
FE101: Relationship Building Through Play
OB730 Gold
$260.00
Gold level access includes all lecture and video materials, ability to post questions and videos to the course forum, and feedback on all questions asked in the forum as well as feedback on both written and video assignments.
OB730 Silver
$130.00
Silver Level includes access to all course materials and the ability to participate in the discussion forum. Students may ask GENERAL questions about course materials and may submit two, one-minute videos for instructor feedback.
OB730 Bronze
$65.00
Bronze Level Access includes all lecture and video materials, and the ability to read all questions and answers posted in the class forum. You will not post questions or submit written or video assignments.
Instructor: Denise Fenzi
