Distract-O-Doggie/Rally-O Class
Please note: this is not the class to work through dog-dog aggression or fear issues. These issues are best suited for Private Training or Behavioral Consulting.
Taught by Lisa Edwards, CDPT-KA, CDBC, this class focuses on all the distracting things that suddenly make our dogs forget that we are standing right next to them. Based on our proven positive reinforcement methods, we work in as much fun for the humans as we can while we are proofing doggies to working around ever-increasing distractions and stressors.
Additionally, each week we will explore different Rally-O exercises in preparation for fun and/or competition. Each class will be split approximately 50% Distraction work and 50% Rally-O. This class is ideal for anyone looking to ask their dogs to do Animal Assisted Therapy, service work, SAR, competition, or to just be the best dog they can be when company comes over or you take them to doggie camp. We build understanding, communication and reliability with this class.
The Distract-a-Doggie Portion – is great for proofing and practicing behaviors in ever-increasingly distracting situations – it is also Great Fun ! Some of the games we have played in Distract-a-Doggie have been a hoot for all and great work for the dogs:
- A quick game of kick ball allows humans to know just how motivated their dog is by moving objects like balls and running people; and allows humans to learn how to adjust their dog’s behavior around these things if necessary.
- A rousing game of charades or musical chairs allows humans to see where they need to work with their dogs on the fine art of just being around other dogs without interacting when great, exciting things are happening all around.
- Talking dolls and motorized toys allow humans to know how their dogs will react to these objects and what they may need to do to adjust behavior or make doggie feel safe.
In addition, we explore a variety of techniques designed to allow the human brain an insight into the thinking of the doggie.
The Rally-O Portion – is a direct re-creation of the exercises used by both APDT and AKC in their Rally-O competitions. Rally-O is a new sport that is loosely a cross between competition obedience and agility. It is less physically demanding on the human and dog than agility and less rigid in the positioning and postures usually associated with competition obedience. Rally-O is a sport that forces human and doggie to communicate with the same precision as one would need in either agility or competition obedience. It allows for the human-dog team to develop some very nice working skills that can be applied to the demands of therapy work, show work, mediating or preventing behavioral issues, or just getting around the house with multiple big dogs. The beauty of Rally-O is that its premise appears rather simple, but the actualization of the exercises is anything but simple without practice.
The better we can be at reading the distracted dog, and at knowing what we need to do for each level of distraction, the happier and less conflicted our relationship with our dog will be – and the more likely we will be to be able to regain their attention when they are distracted and pulled in other directions. The exercises incorporated in the sport of Rally-O have proven to be invaluable in everyday life. This class offers anyone interested in advanced work with their dogs, Animal Assisted Therapy, Service work, SAR, or just advanced work around the house when company comes over the opportunity to work around distraction, work better and better positioning skills and learn how to help their dog tolerate every increasing stressors and distractions. My experience working with dogs who have behavioral issues has shown me that the more we can reliably ask of our dogs the deeper our level of communications is and the better equipped we are to avoid or adjust behavioral problems now or in the future.
- Each class is six weeks long, meeting on a weekly basis at the same time and location.
- Each weekly class is 50 minutes long. This class is a nice mental workout for both the doggies and humans.
- This class is open to anyone who has taken the H.E.A.R.T. class, the Three Dogs Training positive reinforcement Intermediate Manners, Behaviors & Relationships dog training class, or by pre-evaluation with instructor.
- This class can be taken as a whole course or teams can attend any number of classes that suit their schedules and needs. The cost of the full course (all six classes) if paid in full is $150.00. The cost for taking an individual class is $27.00 per class.
Click here for our class schedules.
