There are things you can work on at home that will help your dog with things they need to know while on the course. I have collected some videos that explain these things:
Teach your dog to love the harness:
Dogs need to be comfortable with having a harness put on and with being handled. This video will help you understand how to teach this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7edMjwEY1c&pp=ygUYa2lrb3B1cCBoYXJuZXNzIHRyYWluaW5n
Proper treats:
Knowing how to tell if your dog thinks a treat is a ‘high value’ to them, or a ‘low value’ to them is important! In an outdoor, distracting environment, that is new to the dog, you want the treats your dog loves the most! You also want them to be the proper size! Check out this video for LOTS of info about treats:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P_MYUhd_BY&pp=ygUTa2lrb3B1cCBiZXN0IHRyZWF0cw%3D%3D
Hind End Awareness:
Most dogs have no idea that they have back feet. The rear end just follows where the front end goes. Teaching the dog how to purposely move their rear feet will help them be aware they have them as well as teach them how to move them.
Pivot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86u_iFuijEI&pp=ygUNa2lrb3B1cCBwaXZvdA%3D%3DN0IHRyZWF0cw%3D%3D
Rear foot targeting: This video is all about teaching a dog to back up, another useful skill! But includes how to teach the dog to target a mat with its rear feet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMaUMcrIbhI&pp=ygUZa2lrb3B1cCByZWFyIGZvb3QgdGFyZ2V0cw%3D%3D
Reading your dog
Learning how to tell if your dog is uncomfortable with something is a great skill to have! We want the dog to be having fun on the course and we know they are having fun by watching their body language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAk8eMRHYjU&pp=ygURa2lrb3B1cCBjYXZhbGV0dGk%3D
** Course is closed to new clients and is being phased out. Visit rules page for link to booking calendar** Located between Camden and Cassatt SC just off Route 1 