Course Details
3 WEEK CLASS - Touch is an important part of how we interact with our dogs on a daily basis. So let’s get really good at it! In this class, we’ll explore three avenues of touch:
Language:
Touch is an extremely salient channel of communication, and your dog takes meaning from how and where you touch them. What if you could use your hands to communicate safety and comfort? And what if you could use your hands as a listening instrument, a way to give your dog a voice beyond basic consent checks?
Reinforcement:
If a dog doesn't accept food rewards, there are systems and strategies to solve that problem. We are mindful of our mechanics and the value of our treats. What if we dedicated that same level of care to the way we pet our dogs? How can we protect the reinforcement value of our bare hands, and open our dogs up to not just accepting, but actively wanting pets in more situations?
Relationship:
Refining our attunement improves our ability to give and receive affection, so our dogs can co-regulate with us. As we develop a more sophisticated sense of our dogs’ wants and needs, they begin to seek that connection more and more. There is plenty of research that shows the positive impact of touch in both the dog and human, but the true benefits are beyond measure.
Teaching Approach:
