Course Details
Every dog carries a unique spark, and when we learn to see what lights them up... we begin to understand who they truly are. Not just the obvious things like toys or treats, but the quiet, quirky, deeply personal joys that show up in daily life... rolling in snow, rooting in mud, snuggling into armpit scratches, running through the woods with a friend, or even melting under a favorite brush.
We’ll talk about how joy becomes the starting point for relationship, especially when traditional reinforcers aren't "working." You’ll hear the story that inspired this topic... when Denise brought home her new border collie and found that food, touch, and proximity held no meaning. What she did next was simple but profound... she watched him. And from watching came understanding. From understanding came trust. And from trust came connection. You’ll learn how to recognize joy in your own dog’s body language... how to join them in the experiences they love... and how to gently adapt yourself so they feel even more seen and supported.
This workshop is not about using joy as a transactional reinforcer. It’s about deepening the relationship in ways that feel authentic, creative, and respectful of who your dog is.
Working students will capture a short video of their dog experiencing true joy and reflect on what they noticed... and I’ll help you understand what your dog is telling you and how you can enrich or elevate that moment.
If you want more clarity, connection, and curiosity in your relationship... if you want to feel like you really see your dog and they feel deeply understood... this workshop will help you get there.
*Due to the holiday, students will have TWO weeks to work on the course material and submit videos for review.
Watch the Trailer:
Lecture Publish Date: Sunday Dec 21st
Video Submissions Due Date: Sunday Jan 4th @ 12pm noon PT
Feedback & Questions Video Publish Date: Wednesday Jan 7th
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)
