Course Details
You've found yourself at the upper levels and now it gets complicated! Search areas get bigger and more challenigng. Times get tighter. Maybe you have more hides but maybe the area is blank? If that wasn't enough, the hides get tougher too! Making the leap into the upper levels is all about REALLY learning to search. If you are prepping for the upper levels or if you just want to get really good at them, this class is for you!
This class will approach the upper levels by focusing on:
- Understanding what your dog is telling you about the qualities of the hide
- Interpreting your search area based on layout and air flow
- Building those upper level skills
- Working unknown number of hides
- Getting used to time pressure
Each week we will work on core components to becoming successful at the upper levels. These pieces work together to create a well oiled team. We will do a deep dive into the components of clearing areas by understanding the secrets of both the dog’s perspective and the search area.
Each week, we will analyze an actual competition search, just like the sample lecture. The skills highlighted in the lecture will your Skill Homework for that week. That way, you can understand what odor would do in that search area and why the hides placed the way they are represent a skill challenge. This lecture will also discuss some potential search strategies that might be successful.
This class is ideal for teams already trialing at NW3 (prepping for Elite), trialing at Elite or Summit, already trialing at Master (prepping for Detective, or trialing at Detective.)
If teams have the opportunity to have someone set blind hides in this class, it will be helpful, however it is not necessary.
Teaching Approach
Each week you will receive several lectures released at the begining of the week. There will be theory based lectures as well as lectures and assignments on the current topic. Some homework can be done at home, however the learner will be enouraged to work primarily outside of the home. This class offers extensive written lectures, no verbal lectures, and videos of varying lengths. It is rare that relevant speaking takes place within a video. Lecture videos may run from 1 to 4 minutes long. The lectures are designed to help a student understand the purpose of the topic and how its application might vary by dog. Care is taken so that learners who learn by both watching and reading will be successful. Learners will need to be able to apply concepts to their unique search areas.
This class will have a Teacher's Assistant (TA) available in the Facebook study group to help the Bronze and Silver students! Directions for joining that Facebook group will be in the classroom after you register.
Instructor: Stacy BarnettStacy Barnett is a top nosework competitor and trainer, with many Summit Level titles in the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW), (Judd SMTx3, Brava SMTx5, Powder SMTx3). She is also a Wilderness SAR K9 handler with her certified dog, K9 Prize. Stacy has been a faculty member at FDSA since 2015 (Click here for full bio and to view Stacy's upcoming courses)
