FDSA Calendar

Spot On! Prerequisites & Supplies

Everyone is welcome! This class is for dogs learning everyday manners, dogs working toward sport skills, and the dogs who would happily sign up for all the turns if we let them.

Your dog does not need previous mat or station training. Clicker experience is very helpful, but it's not required. We will definitely be using Markers.  We will begin with the basics, and the exercises do not require strenuous work or a large training space.

What should I have ready?

To begin Week 1, you need:

• One comfortable place for your dog to stand or rest, such as a dog bed, bathmat, towel, or nonslip mat. (not a platform – yet)
• Small, easy-to-deliver treats your dog enjoys.
• A marker you can use consistently, such as a clicker or a short word like “YIP.”
• A clear floor space for your dog to leave the station and return.

That is enough to get started. No need to turn your house into an equipment warehouse before the first lesson.

As the class progresses, you will benefit from having a second station and a low, sturdy platform or perch. I’ll be showing you how to choose props that suit your dog and the exercise you want to teach.

What counts as a station?
Quite a lot! A station is a clearly defined place that helps your dog understand where to be. Depending on the job, you might use:

• A cushioned bed or raised cot for comfortable waiting
• A mat or folded towel for a portable resting spot
• An open crate for a familiar place to hang out
• A sturdy plastic shelf or low step for four-paw placement
• A broad, stable perch for front-paw work
• A small foam pad for an individual paw target
• A sturdy camp chair

NOTE:  Some props are for settling; others help us teach precise positions or body awareness. A fluffy bed and a tiny paw target have very different job descriptions, even though both belong in this class. The above is not a shopping list. Start with what you already own. That plastic shelf in the garage may be ready for a career change as we move through the lessons. 

Choosing props for your dog:
Before using an item, check that it is:

• Stable and able to support your dog
• Nonslip on top and underneath
• Free from sharp edges or loose parts
• Large enough for the behaviour you are teaching
• Low enough for your dog to step on and off comfortably

We’ll begin with roomy, inviting surfaces. We can make targets smaller when your dog understands the game and feels confident using them and for when we want to include precision.  Bring your ideas, too. If you have a chair, platform, bed, or mystery object you think might make a useful station, we can look at what job it could do. The best prop is the one that helps your dog understand the lesson, not the one with the fanciest price tag.