Course Details
Do you wish you were a better handler? Handling is 80% dog / 20 % handler. How you handle makes a huge difference in your performance and in your pass rate.... it drives those "P's" and "Q's"!
In this class we will be all about the details... Learn how to handle through critique.
You will learn HOW you body motion affects the dog, everything from your shoulders to the angle of your body with respect to the dog's position. You will learn the art of releasing body pressure in a way that will minimize false alerts or unintended cues. We won't be "proofing off of" body motion, but rather will learn how to use our motion and position in order to become true teammates with our dogs.
You will be presented with an entire handling system and will be taught how to handle effectively, as a teammate, without negatively impacting your dog. Good handling is the foundation of teamwork. It's a skill that takes time to hone but it beautiful to see when it all comes together!
Learn how to make it look EFFORTLESS....
THERE WILL BE A TEACHING ASSISTANT (TA) FOR THIS CLASS!!
LOTS of NEW material for April 2020
Sampling of new topics:
- The art of handling the known hide
- Handling in tight spaces
- Handling the fast dog
- Handling the sensitive dog
- Impact of gear choices
- How to NOT over-handle your dog
- Using handler influence as suggestive, not directive
- Handling using a pattern without over-handling
- Knowing WHEN to pattern versus not pattern
- How to use a Soft Pattern rather than a prescriptive pattern
- Handling off leash like you would on leash
- Knowing when to change your strategy and how to adapt and continue
[INST]
Syllabus
Leash Basics:
- Leash length
- Basic leash handling
Basic Handling:
- Staying behind your dog
- Body Placement and Positioning
- Smooth Rewards
- Handling the Methodical Dog
- Handling the Fast Dog
- Handling the Timid Dog
What is Teamwork:
- Handling as a Partnership
- Handling your dog on leash
- Handling your dog off leash
Handling Strategies:
- Start Lines
- Tight Spaces
- Large Spaces
- Handling for Multiple Hides
- Vehicles
Prerequisites & Supplies
Gold Level students should be comfortable handling all elements. Introduction to multiple hides would be a plus.
Sample Lecture
Now that we've talked about gear, let's talk about handling. In this course, we will be striving for excellent handling. So what IS excellent handling?
Excellent handling can be considered to have the following attributes:
- Letting the dog lead but remaining a partner
- Keeping the dog in your line of sight
- Good line handling
- Clean and efficient reward delivery
- Limiting chatter or needing to re-cue the dog… dog independence is a factor
- Reading your dog effectively
- Supporting your dog’s emotional needs
All of these aspects come together to result in a beautiful run when coupled with a dog who is In Drive. Let's talk about the challenges of each of these aspects briefly. We will get more in depth with all of these throughout the duration of the course.
LETTING THE DOG LEAD BUT REMAINING A PARTNER
Do you drive the search or does your dog? Do you pull your dog off of odor accidentally? Do you find yourself getting ahead of your dog or presenting the search area to your dog?
KEEPING THE DOG IN YOUR LINE OF SIGHT
Do you miss Changes of Behavior? Has your dog alerted but you can't see? Do you have troubles keeping up with your dog in Vehicles? Does your dog pass behind you or circle you?
GOOD LINE HANDLING
Do you handle with one or two hands? Do you drop your leash to reward? Does your line get tangled in your dog's legs? Does your arm look like a clothesline?
CLEAN AND EFFICIENT REWARD DELIVERY
Do you drop treats? Are you slow in delivering treats? Do you fumble with your bait pouch? Are you losing more than 7-10 seconds per hide rewarding your dog?
LIMITING CHATTER OR NEEDING TO RE-CUE THE DOG… DOG INDEPENDENCE IS A FACTOR
Do you repeatedly re-cue your dog? Do you say more than an occasional "Good Boy" when you are searching? Is your dog focused more on you than on the search?
READING YOUR DOG EFFECTIVELY
Does your dog alert and move on and you don't know it? Are you focusing on the final response and not the communication that happens before then? Are you constantly wishing you had a stronger Alert? Do you see more on your videos than you do in real time?
SUPPORTING YOUR DOG’S EMOTIONAL NEEDS
Does your dog frequently get stressed at a trial? Does your dog get over-aroused? Do you struggle handling your high drive dog or your low drive dog?
Testimonials
A sampling of what prior students have said about this course...
Thank you, Stacy, for an excellent class. It is well-organized and well-presented. You are a fine instructor, a sensitive handler and an insightful, kind coach. Not only are you sensitive to each dog’s needs but also very tuned in to the handlers. An enthusiastic thumbs up for you and your class. Already registered for next term with you.
As I wrote to Stacy on my thread: I feel I’m heading forward again rather than treading water in Nose work. Thank you for that. This was a wonderful class. A good combination of internal reflections and specific ways to make changes. I’m so glad you made the switch to full time instructor. It’s allowed you to focus and come up with a different way of approaching/looking at this sport, tap into a mix of science & creativity. Plus you are always so kind. So, thank you. You’re an excellent mentor for both me the instructor and me the person who loves Nose work with my dog.
I was really impressed with the quality of the courses. I had doubts that an online course would be effective, but Stacy engaged everyone and was very astute in diagnosing the problem areas from a video. It is a good supplement to my regular training classes...
Loved the format of this class. You have a natural ability to inspire your students and this was a large active gold class! Your attention to detail is amazing and I greatly appreciated your comments on my videos as a silver.
Stacy, thank you for this course. It definitely take my Nosework handling to a whole new level. Not only I know how to improve my own handling, I also have the skills to improve others handling. Thank you for such an amazing course. Totally recommending to others.
Thank you for creating this class. So great to work on what I could be doing to be a better team member for my dog.
Big, thank you to the whole organization you provide an amazing service. Stacey I love your courses, you are so genuine which makes you so easy to learn from. I love how you keep me on track, I love how you make me believe in my dog. I have to get you to Alberta! I loved this course it was needed, I as a handler needed to be a better partner, I teach as well this gave me so many chances to see so many scenarios of pulling the dog off odour. The magic of stepping back. It was like magic, Haha my students were so impressed with me, lol
