[AU-082] The Handler’s Toolbox Mini Camp: Jump-Tunnel Discriminations!

The Handler’s Toolbox Series is designed to add tools that you will find very useful on course – using quick, easy-to-learn, small space games! You’ll learn how to train each tool and when/where to apply it on course.

This course tackles one of the most popular trends we are seeing on course right now: jump-tunnel discriminations! We will focus on teaching the verbals and handling skills needed for these challenges, as well as how to navigate the dog around the on-course ‘clutter’ of multiple off course options!

All levels are welcome, from Novice to Masters to International!

Course design is constantly evolving to include new challenges. We are seeing jumps and tunnels right next to each other on course, creating multiple jump-jump, jump-tunnel, tunnel-tunnel, and multi-obstacle discriminations. You will learn how to train and handle the different options you’ll encounter with this discrimination, including how to cue the dog so they know when you want the jump versus when you want the tunnel, which jump or tunnel you are indicating, which side of the jump you want the dog to take, how to signal what behavior you want on the jump even with a tunnel right there, using layering options, various threadles, strengthening verbals, and more!

And the best part? You can train all of these skills with just one tunnel and 2 jumps! This is perfect for smaller spaces. Each week, you will get 3-4 new skills to train with progressive exercises and games designed to train full understanding, along with bonus games!

Additional Course Details

• Faculty:
  • Tracy Sklenar
• Dates:
  • Course starts on Thursday, October 23rd, 2025.
  • Registration closes for working spots on November 13, 2025.
  • Course material access never expires.
• Level:
  • Open to All
• Course Structure:
  • Lessons and demos will be posted each Thursday of the 3 ‘working’ weeks. You will have 3 additional weeks to work through the course content.
• You will receive:
  • Discussion and demos of the progressions, plus Q&A!
  • Downloadable video demos and explanations for each training skill
  • Downloadable written instructions for each training skill
  • Downloadable Field Guides
  • Bonus games!
  • Six total weeks for working participants to post videos for feedback
  • Six total weeks for auditing participants to ask questions and discuss their training
  • Lifetime access to all materials and the class forum
• Equipment needed (working participants only):
  • One tunnel and 2 jumps.
• Space required (working participants only):
  • 40×40 is the ideal minimum space, but the skills sets can be tweaked to fit any available space!

Course Information

Estimated Time: 3 weeks of content (w/ 3 extra weeks to complete the training)

Difficulty: Open to All

Categories: Foundation, Handling, Problem Solving, Registration Open, Skills

Course Instructor

Tracy Sklenar Instructor