[AU-040] Confident Canines: Igniting Your Dog’s Confidence To Build Focus And Drive In Any Sport

Is your dog amazing at home and in class, but shuts down at a trial? Does your dog run with enthusiasm at local trials, but slows down or leaves at the bigger shows? Does your dog sniff or zoom around the ring if you make a handling error? Does your dog bite you if you make a handling error? Does your dog leave the course and run to where you left your food or toy reward outside of the ring? Would you like to help build more confidence and resilience in your canine partner? This course is for you!

There are many reasons why a dog might be able to perform in one context and not another.. These gaps could be a result of communication breakdowns, environmental stressors, lack of impulse control, frustration, or even fear. By examining your dog’s performance and discussing how you have trained with your dog thus far, we will be able to create a plan specific to your team’s needs and fill the gaps! You will play games and practice exercises that will bring your dog’s focus back to you while building enthusiasm and drive, regardless of venue or level of show.

In this course, you will:

  • Build focus, connection, and resilience in your dog, even when things go wrong on course
  • Build impulse control in your dog, even in the face of stressors and distractions
  • Learn about self-control depletion and prevent the practice of it
  • Expand the toolbox of exercises to support you in decreasing your dog’s anxiety
  • Build confidence in your dog at the bigger shows
  • Learn to identify stress in your dog and adjust accordingly
  • Have a better understanding of your dog’s triggers and how to manage thresholds

This class will focus on these topics to help ignite your Confident Canine:

  • An overview of the neuroscience of behavior modification
  • Handler movement games (handling games that are specific to reducing arousal and building connection)
  • Relaxation exercises
  • Techniques to reduce arousal
  • Games to help a learn how to think through arousal
  • Completing the Stress Cycle
  • Addressing fear and anxiety through concept training and games
  • Offering decompression for the dog in very specific ways
  • Learning the proper mechanics of rewarding and movement to help reduce frustration in the dog
  • Looking at the other 23 hours of the day
  • And more!

Additional Course Details

  • Faculty:
    • Bobbie Bhambree
  • Dates:
    • Course starts on Monday, October 18, 2021.
    • Registration closes on Monday, November 15, 2021.
    • Course material access never expires.
  • Level:
    • Open to All
  • Course Structure:
    • This class features 3 assignments per week that focus on games and techniques to increase confidence that can be applied in a variety of situations. You will get:
      • Downloadable written instructions for each exercise
      • Video demonstrations
      • Video review of your training (working participants)
      • Access to class forum for discussions, feedback and Q&A (working and auditing participants)
  • Equipment needed (working participants only):
    • 30-50 foot long line (no retractables)
    • 6-foot leash, body harness (any type) or regular collar
    • Snuffle Mat
    • Crate mat or blanket
    • A platform (such as a Klimb) or raised dog bed (such as a Kurunda)
    • Great toys (if your dog likes toys)
    • Mind-blowing treats
  • Space required (working participants only):
    • All games and exercises can be adjusted to fit any space that you have available.

Course Information

Estimated Time: 5 weeks with a one week catch up in the middle

Difficulty: Open to All

Categories: ,

Course Instructor

Bobbie Bhambree Bobbie Bhambree Instructor
  • Enrollment in this course closed on 11/16/2021.