logo

  • Log In
  • About Us
  • Calendar
  • Faculty & Staff
  • instagram-icon
  • facebook-icon
  • twitter-icon
  • Courses
    • Schedule
    • By Discipline
    • By Instructor
    • Prerequisites
    • Self-Study
    • Scholarships
    • Gift Certificates
  • Webinars
    • Schedule
    • FAQ
  • Workshops
    • Schedule
    • FAQ
    • Gift Certificates
  • On Demand
    • Pet Dog Presentations
    • Pet Professionals Presentations
    • Self-Study Courses
  • Special Links
    • Podcast
    • Blog
    • Fenzi TEAM Titles
    • Trainer Certificates
    • Private Lessons
    • Other Free Stuff!
    • Swag
  • Events
    • Puppies!!! - Online Conference May 13
    • Training Camp
    • Bootcamps
  • Contact
    • Course FAQ
    • Webinar FAQ
    • Workshop FAQ
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Help
  • Courses
    • Schedule
    • By Discipline
    • By Instructor
    • Prerequisites
    • Self-Study
    • Scholarships
    • Gift Certificates
  • Webinars
    • Schedule
    • FAQ
  • Workshops
    • Schedule
    • FAQ
    • Gift Certificates
  • On Demand
    • Pet Dog Presentations
    • Pet Professionals Presentations
    • Self-Study Courses
  • Special Links
    • Podcast
    • Blog
    • Fenzi TEAM Titles
    • Trainer Certificates
    • Private Lessons
    • Other Free Stuff!
    • Swag
  • Events
    • Puppies!!! - Online Conference May 13
    • Training Camp
    • Bootcamps
  • Contact
    • Course FAQ
    • Webinar FAQ
    • Workshop FAQ
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Help

OB430: Maintaining Engagement at Distance

  • Overview
  • Syllabus
  • Prerequisites & Supplies
  • Sample Lecture
  • Testimonials & Reviews
    • Registration
      Apply for a scholarship

  • See Also
  • All Classes
  • All Workshops

OB430: Maintaining Engagement at Distance

Course Details

We often have to leave our dogs in the obedience ring.  They need to work at a distance from us in spite of pressure from the judge, the environment and the ring gates.  We have no connection with them, they are completely on their own.  No wonder they don’t like it out there!   I want my dogs to not only understand they need to stay there but remain alert, engaged and confident.   In this class we will teach our dogs that being away from us is safe and fun.  We will teach our dogs that pressure is a cue for engagement!  Through the use of tricks and games, we will create a positive conditioned emotional response to distance work.   In this class we will address distance work as they relate to the novice recall and stand for exam, drop on recall, moving stand, signals and command discrimination exercises.  Equipment required for this course is a platform and a similar sized rug or mat. 

Teaching Approach

This class will have written and spoken video lectures each week.  There will be video examples demonstrating all exercises.  Because everyone has their own learning style, I encourage students to move at their own pace.  For the first few weeks, students can work in a smaller space.  Later in the class, students will need access to a space large enough where they can perform a full obedience exercise. Students will need to leave their dogs repeatedly in a number of training sessions.  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

View Full Syllabus

Week one

  • Hand as a focal point
  • Hand “touch”
  • Platform/Rug tricks
  • Sit
  • Stand
  • Down
  • Front Feet on cue word +CER
  • Back Feet on cue word +CER
  • Positions as tricks
  • Add high value to mat/rug

Week Two

  • Backing in each position as a trick
  • Back to the platform
  • Release to hand
  • Incrementally increase the distance
  • Teach offering – including sit, down, stand
  • Teach “bounce” in sit and stand
  • Maintaining connection from precue through wait

Week Three

  • Vary the distance for reward from hand
  • Reward by returning
  • Reward with cookie toss
  • Verbal “good” to provide support
  • Teach offering and/or tricks with back to dog
  • Back to platform/rug as a trick
  • Face dog short distance
  • Ready Steady
  • Offer
  • What to do if my dog looks away

Week Four 

  • Reward from hand – release to a hand touch
  • Reward with food or toy
  • Turn periodically and ask for offer
  • Turn and ask for backup and/or rug behavior
  • Turn and face dog, add distance
  • Engagement on silence
  • Move into pressure using rug - barriers

Week Five

  • Create a positive CER to Pressure
  • Judge
  • Barrier
  • Environment
  • Combinations
  • Moving into pressure humans, environment, combos
  • Pressure acts as a cue dog stationary
  • Side
  • Behind
  • Static
  • Motion

Week Six

  • Working on engagement in the exercises
  • Drop on Recall
  • Signals
  • Moving Stand
  • Recall 
  • Stand for Exam
  • Command Discrimination

Prerequisites & Supplies

View all Prerequisites & Supplies

Equipment required for this course is a platform and a similar sized rug or mat. 

Sample Lecture

More

Sample Lecture:

There are a number of reasons why our dogs struggle when we leave them in the obedience ring.  The vast majority of their reinforcement occurs when they are close to us.  So naturally that’s where they want to be.  When we leave our dogs, they feel pressure from the judge, the ring gates, and the environment.  It’s very uncomfortable.   In addition, they are taught not to look around.  This adds pressure to pressure.  Finally, most dogs have learned a focal point when they are working close to us.  When we turn our backs to them and walk away, they don’t really know exactly what to look at.  (Trust me on that, I spent a lot of time with other trainers trying to figure this out).   That causes confusion and anxiety.  Well trained dogs know they have to stay there.  That doesn’t mean they like it.  For many dogs, the stress causes them to freeze.  Other dogs “flee” by moving forward.  I used to teach my dogs that they just have to stay.  We would play “games” where we randomly released them to toys or food.  It worked to an extent.  But the truth is, my dogs never loved being out there.  I really wanted my dogs to be confident and comfortable when I left them.  I want them focused and engaged as I walk away, and responding confidently to my next cue.  Ultimately, I wanted my dogs to have a positive CER at a distance.  I found the best way to achieve that was through a combination of “offering” games, teaching pieces of the distance exercises as tricks and creating a focal point when our backs are to the dogs.  

Focal Point

Years ago, we thought our dogs were just “looking” at our backs.  That was their focal point.  After a lot of experimentation, I realized they weren’t. They weren’t.  When dogs are in front of us we make eye contact.  That’s very specific.  Humans do the same.  If we are having a conversation, you would look me in the eye.  If you break eye contact, you are looking at something else.  When that happens, you are no longer 100% focused on what I’m saying.  Same with our dogs.  When my back is to my dog, I now give them a specific target.  My hand.  That makes it very clear to the dog.  You shouldn’t be looking around.  You should be looking right here.   

Testimonials & Reviews

Read All Testimonials

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

I really connected with the way the class was taught. The lectures were easy to understand and not overwhelming with too much information. The feedback was priceless, she totally relates to each team and has amazing attention to detail. We have learned so much from this class.          


I love Petra’s classes and will probably take any that she teaches! I love the videos which are so helpful for understanding that material. I love seeing the little things she does with her dogs that not only show their bond but also show the kind of consistency that makes sense to the dog in his training, things like the spin into heel position.     


Excellent course material! It's definitely helping me improve engagement on command discrimination, drop on recall, and stand stay-get your leash. This will also help with signals and moving stand engagement.                 


Petra- Thank you for sharing your expertise. Your positive and lighthearted approach is an inspiration. The lectures were well organized and the videos provided nice examples of each concept. The quality of the videos was excellent and they were a perfect length. I took the class at Silver, and Petra was positive and detailed in her responses. She willingly provided clarification when it was needed.  I feel fortunate to have taken this class with Petra!!! 


   

Excellent course material! It's definitely helping me improve engagement on command discrimination, drop on recall, and stand stay-get your leash. This will also help with signals and moving stand engagement.   


Petra is a very dedicated instructor with timely feedback and makes sure her students have as much information as possible with her bonus segments.                


Petra is generous with her knowledge and always goes the extra mile to help students understand concepts that she has used successfully.

Registration

Next session starts: April 1, 2023
Registration starts: March 22, 2023
Registration ends: April 15, 2023

Registration opens at 11:30am Pacific Time.

OB430 Subscriptions


Gold

Silver

Bronze
Tuition $ 260.00 $ 130.00 $ 65.00
Enrollment Limits 12 25 Unlimited
Access all course lectures and materials ✔ ✔ ✔
Access to discussion and homework forums ✔ ✔ ✔
Read all posted questions and answers ✔ ✔ ✔
Watch all posted videos ✔ ✔ ✔
Post general questions to Discussion forum ✔ ✔ ✖
Submit written assignments ✔ ✖ ✖
Post dog specific questions ✔ With video only ✖
Post videos ✔ Up to 2 ✖
Receive instructor feedback on
  • Questions
  • All videos
  • Questions
  • All videos
✖

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

  • Prev
  • Next
  • FDSA
    • About Us
    • What Do We Teach?
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Testimonials
    • Privacy Policy
  • Student Resources
    • Calendar
    • Scholarships
    • Gift Certificates
    • Swag
    • Trainer Certificates
  • Courses
    • Class Schedules
    • By Instructor
    • By Discipline
    • Prerequisites
    • Self Study
  • Webinars
    • Schedule
    • Webinar Courses
    • Register
  • More Learning
    • Podcast
    • Blog
    • Puppy Book
    • Private Lessons
    • Team
  • Help!
    • Getting Started
    • Enrolled Students
    • Video & Images
    • Webinars

Copyright © Fenzi Dog Sports Academy and individual instructors.

Technical support - send email to help@fenziacademy.com

Connect with us! facebook-icon email-icon instagram-icon