Using The Equipment
​​​​​We are available to give you a quick intro on how to get your dog started using the equipment and space. Just ask! We do recommend giving your dog about 5 minutes or so to sniff around before getting started. Keep in mind that a new space can be very exciting (in addition to the car ride over!) so your dog may get tired after 15 - 20 minutes. You'll be able to tell! You can give short breaks to help your dog stay focused.
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— Bring plenty of treats! You'll want to use treats to lure your pup and to build a positive association with the equipment.
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— We suggest focusing on one piece of equipment at a time. Then try another. As your pup gets more comfortable you can make it more challenging by asking them to use the equipment without the lure, or by using a lure and running an obstacle course with them!
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— Feel free to adjust the height of equipment and move equipment around.
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Click on the headings below for a quick video demo.
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For a shy dog some of the equipment can be challenging! Try breaking everything into small steps. Open up all the way, then close a little more, then more and then try fully closed.
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Here's an easy way to start working on the weave poles.
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We have two tilt boards. The one in the video can be a little scarier for pups so take it as slow as needed!
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If your pup isn't comfortable with moving equipment be sure to start slow! You can put your foot on the board to control how much it moves. Start with one paw and then two. The video will give you a few other ideas to make it more challenging.
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Always start easy and work up to more challenging, which takes time!​​
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— February Add-On: Paint With Your Dog
A fun project with a keepsake: a lick painting! A lick painting is a canvas is covered with drips of paint that is placed into a peanut butter-covered Ziploc plastic bag for your dog to lick. As your dog licks off the peanut butter, they paint the canvas! We'll provide all of the supplies: a 5x7 canvas, Buddy Budder (Peanut Butter for Dogs), a variety of paint colors to choose from (choose 2 - 3), and Ziploc bags. A staff member will assist you in preparation while your dogs waits on the other side of the gate. We suggest doing at the beginning or middle of your session. Take the painting home in the bag, remove it as soon as you get home to let it dry and then you'll have a new work of art to display!
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