It can help to know what to expect when you start a new activity. So this page outlines what you can expect when you attend a training session on the Canine Confidence Course.
Before you arrive, you will want to trim your dog’s nails. Nails that touch the floor when the dog is standing/stationary will affect how the dog uses their feet and can make some obstacles unsafe. Also secure hair that might be blocking the dog’s vision.
If your dog has any issues with strangers, let me know when you book your session. I have worked with many dogs that have ‘stranger danger’ issues and can be better prepared to help them from the moment you arrive if I know in advance how big their “bubble” typically is. I can also do my best to ensure booking times don’t run back to back for dogs that have issues with other dogs.
All sessions are one-on-one, so I, you, and your dog can focus on the task at hand without having to worry about what others are doing nearby.
My driveway has a gate. If the gate is open, it means you can come in, follow the signs to parking and use the designated areas to potty your dog. If the gate is closed, please do NOT OPEN IT. It means my dogs may be loose and you don’t want that encounter 🙂 Please text or call me if you need to get in when the gate is closed.
You’ll want to arrive early enough that your dog can empty bladder/bowels so there are no accidents within the course boundaries. There is a designated potty area, or you can walk your dog along the road on leash. Be sure to clean up after your dog! Failing to do so can mean you don’t get to come back. Please don’t wander outside of the designated areas, there may be hazards. The property has low growing cactus and it was abandoned for 25 years before I got it and in spite of a LOT of clean up, I still find broken glass, metal, and other things you don’t want to walk on. I have scoured the potty area to do my best to remove those hazards.
You’ll want to bring lots of small, tasty treats that your dog loves as well as a favorite toy or two if the dog loves to play with toys. Be aware the toys are likely to get sandy if they touch the ground. Be sure you have a pocket or pouch to hold the treats/toys out of view so the dog can concentrate on what it is doing.
Your session starts at the scheduled time and lasts 30 min. per dog. So be sure you arrive with enough time to fully potty the dog and be ready to walk on the course at your start time. The obstacles work the dog’s body and brain in a way that can make them tired. And if they get tired, they will have trouble concentrating and being safe. And we want to end while the dog still wants MORE fun! That way it doesn’t become stressful.
ALL dogs will start with the puppy level obstacles regardless of age or skill level. This will be an assessment of skills, find any areas where the dog might need more work, and get them comfortable in the area on easier obstacles.
Puppies under 6 mo. old will have selective access to the Basic level obstacles because some of the obstacles will put too much stress on a puppy’s undeveloped joints. Dogs must be at least 1 year old to start on Master level obstacles.
Dogs that master the puppy level obstacles can move up to the Basic level. But will likely still warm up on a few of the puppy obstacles at the start of each session.
Dogs will remain on leash and should wear a harness so that the handler can assist them with balance when needed and prevent access to obstacles they are not yet ready to do, or shouldn’t do unassisted.
All obstacles are optional! If you are not comfortable with a particular obstacle, you can let me know your concerns and I will do my best to address them, or we can skip that obstacle.
All the obstacles are set up in a way that the dog can ‘opt out’ if they get overwhelmed. I will do my best to not have the dog get to that point, but sometimes they can look fine until they decide they have had enough. We may move to another obstacle and come back later, or may try to help the dog through the obstacle that is bothering them by reducing the difficulty (if possible) or taking it more slowly. Dogs are allowed to hop off any low obstacle at any time. That is information for us that we went too fast in the process. We want the dog to choose to do each obstacle we ask them to do but will offer harness holding for support if needed.
If you have any questions about your session, just let me know!
** 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 