Nancy offers online classes via fdsa

Building and Maintaining A Start Line

Starting August 1 ~ Registration opens July 22

Many dogs start out their agility career with a good start line. But, over time that start line behavior deteriorates. Why do good start lines break down for some dogs and not others? How can some dogs have great start lines and other dogs struggle when you have trained the same way and handled the same way?

This class will help you build a start line behavior for your dog from the ground up. You will also add handling that is essential in maintaining that behavior throughout your dog’s agility career. Agility trainers focus a lot on the training and handling involved to run sequences. Not enough time is spent training the skills needed for the start line and the routine before the dog starts running.

The content is suitable for young dogs that have not started trialing. It will can also help those dogs that have start line issues at the trials. For some dog and handler teams, the only change needed is a handling change. It is strongly suggested you refrain from trialing your dog while you work through this class.

Unstick the Stuck Heeling: What’s Keeping You from Trialing?

Starting October 1 ~ Registration opens September 22

Are you and your dog struggling with heeling? Do you and your dog have nice heeling when you train, but the performance falls apart when you leave the comfort of home? Have you been stuck with the same problem for a while, and you have no idea how to move forward?

Look no further; Nancy can help you find the path to confident heeling with your dog. First, we will look at individual goals for both you and your dog. And then, evaluate where you are in this process. Your performance goals don’t have to look the same as anyone else’s. The emphasis will be on finding the proper communication between the two of you and developing a plan that builds a confident heeling performance between you and your dog.

This class is not designed to teach your dog how to heel. Likewise, it’s not intended to help new dogs learn heeling skills. Instead, it’s meant for trainers struggling with progress in their heeling training with their dog. Numerous heeling classes work on teaching heeling from the ground up. But there are no classes for people that get stuck and feel paralyzed in their decision-making. There are a lot of teams that quit because they are stuck.

Nancy will help you shift your emotional state from anxiety, frustration, shame, or any other problematic feelings you might have in a positive direction. Confidence comes from clarity, a plan, support, and understanding. This class can help both you and your dog make that shift.

If you consider this class as a Bronze student and are concerned about the value when you are not a Gold student, the systematic approach laid out in this course should help you without Nancy’s input. In addition, the course is organized so that whenever an issue comes up during heeling training, you will have a plan to address it.

Nancy has developed flow charts and a framework for you to follow to get your heeling something that both you and your dog can enjoy.