Now that you understand how to navigate the program and how it all works, we can really get started and start digging in.
Regardless of where you feel that you are in the program, I would like you to move through each piece. Frequently, when people are having an issue, the problem is with the foundation, so we need to make sure that your foundation is strong. If it isn’t, that’s okay! The roadmap will guide you through the entire process and you will be working through exercises and behaviors that you may already feel are good to go. I strongly recommend that you go through each lesson anyway. It will only help you have a better understanding and that alone may clean up some issues that you or your dog may be experiencing.
First things first, please do the following:
For VIP Roadies:
- Schedule your first one-on-one coaching call here
- Vicki lives in California in the PST or PDT time zone. All meetings, lives or talks are scheduled in this time zone.
For both VIP and Elemental Roadies:
My approach to training is the use of positive reinforcement training methods. The first online course you will be doing is my Introduction to Positive Reinforcement Training online course which will explain the training methodology, how it works and why we use it.
Whether your are starting with a new puppy, older puppy or adult dog, you will start with From Whelping to Winning online course. While this course was written with young puppies in mind, it is still a great place to start with any dog.
If your dog is over one year old, you may choose to skip the From Whelping to Winning course, but you don’t have to. From Whelping to Winning will give you a wealth of information on the best way to start the foundation behaviors. Not only will this help you with your current show prospect, but it will give you tools for any upcoming show prospect puppies you have.
One of the first things you are going to work on is gentle handling exercises with your dog, which basically means touching them all over. If the dog seems to enjoy being touched, you can begin to touch all over. This practice is important and beneficial for a few reasons. Gentle handling practice:
Long, calm, firm petting is generally calming and relaxing to dogs.
Fast scratching, petting or patting usually causes the dog to get excited.
Practicing looking into your dog’s face, touching the feet, looking at the bite and for males touch the testicles. Note if there are any issues for your dog with any of these things. If your dog has an issue with being touched in a certain area, watch our Don’t Touch Me video!
HOMEWORK
- Complete An Introduction to Positive Reinforcement Training online course
- Complete From Whelping to Winning online course
- Watch our How to Pet Your Dog Video here
- Start gentle handling exercises
- Experiment with petting and touch and see what calms your dog, what winds your dog up and what your dog likes and avoids
