Expert-Led Training: Proven Methods, Real Transformations

Have you ever finished a training session or trial and thought, "Why did my dog do that?" Was your dog distracted, confused, worried, feeling pressure—or something else entirely? The answer matters because every mistake has a different cause, and effective training begins with understanding the "why."

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!

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.

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.