Course Details
A Six-Week Exploration of Play, Connection, and Curiosity
What if the purpose of playing with our dogs had nothing to do with developing a reinforcer? What if, instead, we approached play as an opportunity to build the very foundation of our relationship?
When I help people train their dogs, I almost always start with play. It's where we discover preferences, learn to communicate, explore possibilities, make mistakes, and navigate the unexpected. And the best part? We get to find a whole lot of joy along the way!
But here's the tricky part... play doesn't look the same for every dog, and it certainly doesn't look the same for every person. Some dogs love to tug, chase, grab, carry, or parade around with their treasures. Others prefer food games, movement, wrestling, or something we haven't even thought to try yet. Some dogs are ready to play at the slightest invitation, while others leave us wondering if we're even speaking the same language. And sometimes it's the human who isn't quite sure how to be playful!
What if we stopped worrying so much about what play is supposed to look like and started getting curious about what makes it enjoyable for both of us? And what if, along the way, we discovered that the same experiences that bring us joy can also help us build engagement, develop cooperative skills, improve toy play, and create new opportunities for reinforcement?
This isn't six weeks of perfecting play. It's 42 days of discovering joy.
We'll start with a simple challenge: Play with your dog for two minutes every day. No pressure to make it impressive, no particular toy or game required, and no expectation that every interaction will look the same. If your dog is finished after 20 seconds, that's valuable information, too!
Using my Like, Wish, Wonder feedback framework, we'll learn to observe, interpret, respond, and adapt to the dog in front of us. We'll explore how to recognize enjoyment, make clearer invitations, experiment with different approaches, and adjust our play in the moment.
And here's where things get especially interesting... this class will be shaped by the dogs and handlers who show up!
Maybe your dog isn't interested in toys, grabs them and runs away, gets so excited that play becomes complicated, or already loves to play and you're looking for more ways to connect. We'll explore personal play, food games, toys, movement, and whatever other possibilities our teams inspire.
Through individualized coaching, video analysis, and shared discoveries, we'll learn from a wide variety of dogs and play styles.
How participation works:
- Gold: Bring your individual play goals and challenges for personalized coaching and experimentation.
- Silver: Submit one video each week for individual feedback, ask general questions, and learn from the other teams.
- Bronze: Follow the lessons, discussions, and video feedback, applying what you discover to your own dog.
My hope is that you'll finish this class with more than a collection of games. You'll have a better understanding of what makes your dog light up, more confidence in your ability to read and respond to them, and a little more freedom to be playful yourself.
Because the best part of play isn't necessarily what it helps us accomplish. It's what we discover and experience together.
Teaching Approach:
This class will include short written lectures, instructional videos, demonstrations, and video analysis. Foundational lessons will be released at the beginning of each week, with additional lessons, examples, and discussions developed in response to the questions and discoveries that emerge from participating teams.
Rather than following a prescribed series of exercises, we'll use a consistent process of observing, interpreting, responding, and adapting. Students will be encouraged to explore two minutes of play with their dogs each day, with opportunities to experiment and reflect on what they discover.
Feedback will primarily follow my Like, Wish, Wonder framework, using written observations and video analysis to help students recognize what is happening, consider different interpretations, and decide what to try next.
There is no single correct way to play. Activities can be adapted to different dogs, handlers, environments, and physical abilities, with an emphasis on finding what makes playing together enjoyable for both partners.
Student Video Use and Permissions
This class is designed to support participating teams while also contributing to the development of future educational resources. The variety of dogs, handlers, and play experiences shared by Gold and Silver students will provide valuable opportunities for learning, both during this class and beyond.
Educational Use: By enrolling at the Gold or Silver level and submitting videos, students agree that their submitted videos, along with my instructional feedback and analysis, may be edited, excerpted, and incorporated into future educational materials. These may include FDSA classes, workshops, webinars, conference presentations, and other educational offerings, including paid content.
I recognize that learning often involves vulnerability, experimentation, and moments when things don't go as planned. I will always approach student videos with respect and compassion. My intention is to highlight opportunities for learning and discovery, never to embarrass, ridicule, or portray a student negatively.
Promotional Use: Videos will not be used in advertisements, promotional social media posts, or other marketing materials without separate permission.
Please submit only videos that you are comfortable having used for future educational purposes.
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)
