Course Schedule

The sport is Retrievolution! 

[ pssst...if you're eyeballing the senior level hunt test, this Level 2 class is a great way to prepare!]

We have a lot more elements than AKC Fetch and a much more layered approach than Hunt Tests or trials. 

The cool part? Playing Retrievolution is amazing preparation for Hunt Tests, trials and AKC Fetch. But you don't have to be a Retriever or hunting breed to enter! All you need is a dog who might enjoy it. 

This class is about Retrievolution Level 2. It has 4 parts that mimic all the skill sets of a hunt test or trial on a smaller scale, making it easy to practice for the bigger stuff that comes later.

By performing each element of Retrievolution 2, you are actively training your dog to get better at completing single and double marked retrieves, performing blind retrieves, honoring another team's work and the all important line manners and mechanics.

You don't have to know about hunt tests to play! You will learn how to perform in hunt tests, by being here, though!

Retrievolution is its own sport with 7 levels that build toward the ultimate field testing experience very similar to an AKC Retriever Field Trial "Qualifying Stake". The difference is the layers. No big gaps between Levels, like that big leap between the Junior, Senior and Master hunt tests. Also different is an emphasis on joy. Judges give points for dogs and handlers showing joy for the work, and joy for each other. 

We have 6 weeks together in this class to build toward the final performance. That looks like this:

• Double Retrieve -Two tossing stations in your "field" so you can build a double mark.
• Blind Retrieve - A pre- planted memory blind set before you run the first marked retrieve.
• Honor - Sitting steady with no aids, while a retrieve is thrown from the tossing station. 
• Line Mechanics - How to work with your dog on the line to watch and retrieve a double mark.

In week one, we take the first layer of each of these 4 skill sets and practice them together. I'll post video lessons and written descriptions. You will practice at home and post your videos and questions in the forums. 

Each week, we build the layers of these 4 skills to create the final performance. You gain confidence about each skill and you get to practice each skill with coaching and guidance!

Teaching Approach:

Each of the 6 weeks of class are considered a building block or layer of skill that builds toward our end goals. Every week, you get a set of video lessons, written descriptions and some homework.

How it works: we will practice all 4 skill sets every week, starting at the foundation layer of each skill and building up to the goal. So every week, we do a bit of Retrieving, Blind Retrieves, Line mechanics and Honoring. 

You can post your homework or special challenge questions and videos in the class forum.

Instructor: Jennifer Henion

Jennifer Henion (she/her), KPA CTP has been playing and studying the US retriever sports for 13 years with 6 different dogs. All of whom have achieved Hunt Test titles....(Click here for full guest instructor bio)