F3000 Say What!? The Hows and Whys of Teaching Clean Verbal Cues

Why teach verbal cues at all? Verbal cues offer clarity, flexibility, and freedom. They allow you to communicate with your dog even when your body language is limited—whether you're at a distance, in motion, or managing multiple tasks. Teaching purposeful, well-trained verbal cues bridges the gap between what we say and what our dogs truly understand. Strong verbal cues provide clarity, allowing your dog to respond with confidence.

In this 3-week course, you will learn to apply protocols that ensure success, helping your dog be responsive in performance and in the real world. We’ll even include some fun concept training and tricks!
We’re never going to stop talking to our dogs – so let’s make it meaningful!

Teaching Approach:

Lectures and Video Demonstrations

Lectures are released at the beginning of each week and include both written and video descriptions of every exercise, presented in a clear step-by-step format. The course begins with foundational skills and gradually builds toward more advanced exercises. Early lessons and exercises support success in later weeks.

Homework & Practice

Homework assignments are listed at the end of each lecture for easy reference. Each week offers several exercises, tailored to the skill level and needs of both dog and handler. Teams progress at their own pace, working at a level where the dog demonstrates confidence and understanding.

Feedback & Support

Students receive both general and personalized written feedback, often with timestamps for clarity. You may submit work from current or previous weeks to continue receiving guidance throughout the course. Each team is supported at the level they are working, with no expectation to progress beyond their dog’s readiness.

A Teacher’s Assistant (TA) will be available to support Bronze and Silver students. Instructions will be provided in the classroom after registration.