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OB415: Utility Foundation Fun!

Course Details

Utility has always been my favorite class!!  Lots of people call the class “futility” but I think it’s tons of fun.  I start teaching the foundation skills when my dogs are young…. puppies actually!  But don’t worry, dogs of all ages can learn Utility!  We will take our time, break down the components of all the exercises and teach them as fun tricks.  Dogs love it and you will too!  I also introduce dogs to the idea of running away from us, running towards and backing into pressure and being comfortable waiting while we move away from them.  Maybe your dog knows utility but their work is lackluster. Or your dog is struggling with certain pieces of the exercises. This course will help you too. Set a solid foundation and your dog will be an awesome Utility dog!!  This class is appropriate for dogs of all ages and all levels.  If your dog has a Hold and Retrieve that’s helpful but not necessary.  

We will NOT be working on heeling in this course.

Teaching Approach 

This class will have written and video lectures each week.  Each lecture will be broken down into small pieces.  There will be video examples demonstrating all exercises.  Because everyone has their own learning style, I encourage students to move at their own pace.  Students will need to move around with their dogs as is required for typical obedience exercises.  I will work with you to modify the exercises to your abilities.  A few of the games will require quick physical movement from the trainer for short periods and distances.  

Petra FordInstructor: Petra Ford

Petra (she/her) graduated from Rutgers School of Health Related Professions 17 years ago with a degree in physical therapy and has experience working with an extremely varied caseload including pediatric through geriatric clients with a vast range of diagnoses. Her areas of expertise included in-patient rehabilitation, orthopedics and neurology. (Click here for full bio and to view Petra's upcoming courses)

Syllabus

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Week 1

  • Know where you are going
  • Communication system
  • Engagement, engagement, engagement!!
  • Breaking it Down
  • Handler Cues
  • Solid Stand for Signals & Moving Stand
  • Create value for Platform/Mat
  • Back up to a Platform/Mat
  • Run to Platform/Mat
  • Mark a Target
  • Teach a sustained nose touch (optional)
  • Focal point for pivots
  • Engage with focal point
  • Setups 

Week 2

  • Motor pattern for Down and Sit
  • Motor pattern for turn and sit
  • Articles find the food
  • Pivots creating drive
  • Stand on Mat
  • Teach Bounce in the Stand
  • Hold Glove/Article
  • Increase target distance
  • Reinforce “mark”

Week 3

  • Backchain turn and sit
  • Backup Down & backup sit
  • Articles – add containers
  • Games off the stand
  • Spin Sit to mat
  • Pivots position
  • Multiple targets

Week 4

  • Increase distance for turn and sit
  • Pressure on/Pressure off in the Stand
  • Down & Sit signal up close
  • Signal Stand vs. Moving Stand
  • Hand as a focal point
  • Multiple targets add distance
  • Switch boxes – generalize different locations
  • Add games to turn and sit

Week 5

  • Backchaining Directed jumping using posts
  • Mecklenburg jump drill
  • Switch boxes add articles
  • Target communication system
  • Heel/here or backchaining target
  • Moving stand finish
  • Moving stand and signals engagement games
  • Engagement after pivot
  • Signals add distance

Week 6

  • Directed jumping adding distance
  • Scent box and article
  • Pressure games using the mat
  • Problem Solving

Prerequisites & Supplies

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Equipment needed:  Target, preferably white (can use a lid to a yogurt/cottage cheese container); a platform or mat/rug; 16 metal containers (metal light switches, Altoids container with a hole punched in… for larger dogs you want something the dog cannot pick up). 

Sample Lecture

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Attitude is Everything!!  

YOUR attitude will effect your dog’s performance.  If you deep down you don’t like utility, find it frustrating, feel pressure for the exercises to be a certain way, think that the exercises are hard for your dog etc… it’s  going to become a self-fulfilling prophecy.  You also need a lot of patience.  WHEN I show my dog in utility is based on when they are ready.  Whenever that is.  If I try to push it towards a certain timeframe, I will get frustrated and inadvertently put pressure on my dog.  So learn to love utility.  Learn to love the journey.  Accept that yes, it’s challenging.  And yes, it can take a long time for the dog to learn it.  But when it all comes together, it’s totally worth it!!!   I still remember buying my very first set of articles and how excited I was!!  I remember my first utility dog and my first UD title.  That’s something I tap into.  I don’t want to lose that perspective.  How cool is it that my dogs can learn to do something so complex!!  I want MY dogs to love it as much as I do.  That goal, that vision, drives my training. 

Know Where You Are Going 

You must have a crystal-clear end picture, otherwise you don’t know where you are headed.  As a result, your criteria will be grey.  From the minute you set your dog up, until the judge says “exercise finished”.   You shouldn’t have to think about it.  If you do, then you are not clear.  Pick a performance from someone you like.  Or someone you train with.  You can talk to your instructor.  You should be able to visualize all of it.   Years ago, I wrote it all down.  That really helped me a lot.   Whatever method you use, make sure this is in place BEFORE you start or continue training your dog. 

Communication System 

Utility exercises are complex.  It’s critical that our communication is super clean.  If not, the dog will get confused.  Consistent markers!!  Define each marker you use.  What EXACTLY does it mean.  Always use it the same way.  Otherwise, you are breaking the contract and confusing the dog.  Marking the EXACT second the behavior happens is super important.  Often people are in a rush to get the food in the dog’s mouth.  That’s not as important.  Marking is important.  After that you have time to get the reward to the dog.   

Engagement, engagement, engagement!! 

ALWAYS make sure your dog is fully engaged.  If your dog isn’t focused, they will have trouble learning.  It’s more likely they will make mistakes.  To many mistakes and your dog will be frustrated and lose motivation.  When you watch me work my dogs you will ALWAYS!!!! see that I spend time making sure my dog is “dialed in” before I do anything.  Laterally, every single time I set the dog up I make sure we are on the same page.  If the dog isn’t, then I resolve that FIRST.  I will never move on if my dog isn’t focused.  I also make sure my dog is in an optimal drive state.  If my dog is too aroused, they won’t be able to focus.  You will see me work on this A LOT with Zesty.  He is innately super aroused.  He LOVES to work.  And that’s great.  But if he is too aroused and I continue on, he will make a mistake.  And he doesn’t like making mistakes.  So if I continue on when he is too high, and he makes a mistake then it’s really my fault.  Think about yourself.  If you are super excited about something, that’s not a great time for you to learn something new.  If you are completely distracted when I’m teaching you something, you will have a hard time processing and retaining the information.  Our dogs are exactly the same way.  They are not machines.  They are living, breathing, thinking beings. 

Testimonials & Reviews

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A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...

New class for the December 2021 session

 

Registration

Next session starts: June 1, 2023
Registration starts: May 22, 2023
Registration ends: June 15, 2023

This class will be available to purchase as a prerequisite class (lectures only) for the April 2022 session from March 18 - April 15.

OB415 Subscriptions


Bronze
Tuition $ 65.00
Enrollment Limits Unlimited
Access all course lectures and materials ✔ ✔

Find more details, refund policies and answers to common questions in the Help center.

 

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