Expert-Led Training: Proven Methods, Real Transformations

In this workshop, you'll learn how to use leash contact as clear tactile information that helps your dog regulate arousal, make thoughtful choices, and understand your guidance. Much like a hand on someone's shoulder offers direction without force, the leash can become a subtle, meaningful way to communicate.

Do you find yourself constantly reminding your dog to look at you and pay attention? Does your dog struggle to maintain focus when heeling for longer periods of time? Do you struggle to keep your dog engaged when working around distractions? Around a judge? Do you feel like you are begging your dog to heel with you?

In this workshop we will teach our dog to voluntarily choose us when heeling. When the dog decides to ignore the environment it’s empowering and we have full commitment and focus. The dog makes the decision to let go of the environment and choose us. No more nagging, begging, frustration or conflict.

In this workshop you will learn how to teach your dog to take the initiative and choose you. We will start in the quiet environment and then add distractions. Whether you are just starting to teach our dog how to heel or your dog has been competing for years the material in this course will help you teach your dog to choose you on their own.

Do you feel like you’re constantly reminding your dog to look at you, pay attention, or stay connected while heeling? Do you find yourself begging your dog to heel with you—especially when the environment gets distracting, the heeling gets longer, or a judge is watching?
Great heeling isn’t about constantly reminding your dog to stay engaged. It’s about teaching your dog that choosing you is rewarding.
In this workshop, we’ll teach your dog to voluntarily offer engagement while heeling. Rather than asking, nagging, or reminding your dog to pay attention, we’ll create a dog who learns to take the initiative and choose connection with you—even when the environment is interesting.

You’ll learn how to:

• Teach your dog to actively choose you instead of simply ignoring distractions.
• Create voluntary engagement that your dog offers without constant prompting.
• Build sustained connection for longer periods of heeling.
• Gradually introduce distractions while maintaining your dog’s desire to work with you.
• Replace nagging, begging, frustration, and conflict with cooperation and choice.

Petra’s precise yet positive approach will give you practical ways to build this skill while protecting your dog’s attitude and enthusiasm for heeling. Whether you’re just beginning to teach your dog to heel or you’ve been competing for years, these strategies will help you create a dog who doesn’t just respond to your requests for engagement—they learn to offer it.

Treadmills are an awesome tool for fitness, but did you know you can use them for more than just cardiovascular fitness (walking and trotting)? There are a large number of exercises you can do to target different parts of your dog's body, to work on strength and proprioception as well as cardiovascular fitness.

This workshop will cover:

- Introducing the treadmill
- Working towards trotting
- Correct form
- Increasing duration and reducing reinforcement
- Core specific strength exercises
- Front end specific strength exercises
- Rear end specific strength exercises
- Proprioception and balance exercises

Equipment required: A treadmill that is a sufficient size for your dog (a running surface at least 1 ½ times your dog's body length), and props such as platforms that allow your dog to work partially on the treadmill, and partially off to the sides, front, and rear of the treadmill.

This workshop will suit anyone who would like to learn to use their treadmill to its full potential with their canine teammates. Dogs in working spot teams should have clearance to be doing fitness training. If your dog has had an injury, medical issue, or you are otherwise unsure if this is suitable for your dog please contact Kelly.

All dogs should be taught to comfortably wear a muzzle. Why? So many reasons! Muzzles can sometimes be necessary, especially if your dog is in pain or injured. There may be safety reasons that make a muzzle desirable in certain situations. Muzzles can make everyone more comfortable when interacting with a nervous or tense dog.

The time to introduce and condition a muzzle is long before one might be needed. Even if you’re lucky enough to never need to use a muzzle, it’s a great training exercise for both you and your dog. Don’t wait until it’s a necessary emergency and add to your dog’s stress; instead make wearing a muzzle a normal part of your dog’s regular routine.

Join Deb and work through a series of fun and effective stages to teach your dog that muzzles are awesome! Deb has organized muzzle training into 8 clear steps, starting with “stick your face in stuff!” and ending with “let’s move!” The training plan is broken down into clear and logical pieces. You’ll be able to work through all the steps or pick up where you need some extra help and ideas, and move ahead from there.

This workshop is designed for any dog owner or competitor who would like to learn how to do canine massage on their own dog between events or after a long day of training. Dogs doing any sport can benefit from canine massage, including younger dogs before they become injured! Your dog does not need to be "calm" to benefit from this class; some dogs are most comfortable standing or sitting, and that's ok!

Canine massage stimulates circulation, releases tense muscles, eases digestion issues, relieves anxiety, and strengthens immunity. It can be an important piece of keeping your dog in top form and for early detection of minor issues before they become major issues. Massage has been proven to reduce healing time, help maintain and build muscle tone, and reduce downtime between hard training sessions. Plus, canine massage is an amazing opportunity to bond with your dog!

You can expect to learn the basics of your dog's anatomy, areas you can focus on for massage, how to do the massage (strokes, pressure, where), and when is best to do it. We will also cover some sport-specific issues that might be worth keeping an eye on for your dog and their sport. You will learn how to use any changes in your dog as valuable information you can relay to your vet if you suspect your dog has an injury.

Canine massage is a complementary modality to veterinary care. It is most effective to treat issues after you have seen and received a diagnosis from your veterinarian. Canine massage IS NOT a substitute for veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your veterinarian for specific questions regarding your pet's health or diagnosis. If your dog has a new injury or has a diagnosis of cancer (or any other illness that could be spread in the circulatory system), canine massage is not advised.

Looking forward to having you join the workshop!