Course Details
When we think about play, it’s easy to focus on the toy or the activity. But play is also physical communication between two bodies. The way a dog moves, breathes, and carries tension during play tells us a lot about how that interaction feels to them. At the same time, the way we move, stand, or approach a dog physically can change how they choose to engage.
This workshop explores play through a physical lens, looking at how engagement is shaped by the physical experience of both the dog and the handler. Some dogs move efficiently and recover quickly after intensity, while others escalate, tighten, or struggle to settle. Small shifts in posture, movement, and proximity can also influence how the interaction unfolds.
Participants will learn to recognize signs of physical regulation such as breathing, muscle tension, effort, and recovery during play. We will also experiment with how changes in posture, orientation, and movement can invite engagement, add pressure, or shift intensity.
By the end of the workshop, handlers will have a clearer understanding of how physical communication shapes play and how small adjustments in movement and posture can support clearer, more stable engagement.
Watch the Trailer:
Coming Soon!
Lecture Publish Date: Sunday April 5th
Video Submissions Due Date: Sunday April 12th @ 12pm noon PT
Feedback & Questions Video Publish Date: Wednesday April 15th
Instructor: Crystal WingCrystal Wing (she/her) taught high school art for 23 years. She has been training dogs since 2006 and traveled the nation learning and competing in various protection sports. ...(Click here for full bio and to view her upcoming classes)
