Course Details
Some dogs come alive when challenged. Others slow down, hesitate, or disengage when the path isn’t obvious. Problem solving changes how a dog experiences play, effort, and engagement.
Many handlers focus on building engagement by making things easier or more exciting, but some dogs need the opportunity to figure things out. Others need support when challenges feel overwhelming. This workshop explores how dogs respond to problem solving, obstacles, and changing paths during play.
We will look at what happens when a dog is faced with a challenge. Do they persist, repeat the same behavior, try something new, or check out? Participants will explore how different dogs handle uncertainty, how patterns and expectations influence behavior, and how problem solving can build confidence, creativity, and resilience.
By the end of the workshop, handlers will have a clearer understanding of how their dog experiences challenge and how to adjust difficulty, setup, and expectations to support more confident, engaged participation.
This workshop is designed for handlers who want to better understand how problem solving influences play and engagement, and who are curious about how to support their dog when the answer is not immediately obvious.
Watch the Trailer:
Lecture Publish Date: Sunday June 7th
Video Submissions Due Date: Sunday June 14th @ 12pm noon PT
Feedback & Questions Video Publish Date: Wednesday June 17th
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)
