This class is a combination of the original skillbuilding 3 and 4 classes. We will continue to work on building complex exercises needed for the ring. We will also be putting the skills together and getting them ready for prime time! We'll be using the skills from the first two classes in this series.
We will continue to work on building complex exercises needed for the ring. We will also be putting the skills together and getting them ready for prime time! We'll be using the skills from the first two classes in this series.
The specific behaviors we'll be working on include:
Final chaining behaviors to form finished exercises
Finishing Retrieve - Wait for the cue, Retrieve over the High Jump
Pivots for Scent Discrimination and Directed Retrieve
Basic proofing games that can be done alone or with a helper
AND
Adding formality and polish to the exercises
Sequencing exercises for ring performance
Delaying reinforcement to the end of the chain
Proofing for robust performance behaviors
Troubleshooting common problems
This class is a bit different from some of our other offerings. Instead of receiving weekly lessons, we'll give you the instructions for getting started on all of the exercises from the beginning. You can choose to work on all of the skills, or just pick which ones you are most interested in. This class can be repeated as many times as necessary until you feel that you have mastered the skills to your satisfaction.
Registration
There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please
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Registration will begin at 11:30 AM Pacific Time.
For answers to commonly asked questions see our FAQ page.
Silver level for this class is offered as "Working Silver". In addition to asking GENERAL clarification questions about the class lecture materials, silver students will now have the opportunity to submit two short videos, one minute each, for critique and review. You may submit two questions. Each question MUST have a one minute video attached so the instructor can actually answer a question that they can see. The question must relate to a topic in the class and the video must be a demo of the question. Please see the discussion forum for a detailed explanation - feel free to sign up at bronze, read the explanation, and then come back here to upgrade to silver if that interests you, and if space is available.
If you are interested in a bronze level subscription, you can sign up at any time during the registration period.
For answers to commonly asked questions see our FAQ page.
Syllabus
All lesson material is released at once for this class. Lessons include:
Introduction - Getting serious but staying FUN, incorporating play into the exercises
Scent Discrimination - Adding formal articles
Wait for Recalls and Broad Jump
Signals
Go outs - Formal context and distance
Retrieve - Adding “wait"
Retrieve - Over the High Jump
Retrieve - Gloves
Pivots for Gloves and Scent Discrimination
Beginning Sequencing for exercises
Fronts and Finishes
Directed Jumping
Transitions between exercises
Proofing Go Outs vs Gloves
Drop on Recall - Proofing with Zen bowl
Retrieve - Proofing On the Flat and Over the High Jump
Baseball-style Glove Retrieve (for CDSP)
Stand for Exam
Prerequisites & Supplies
The exercises we cover in this class will depend very much on having solid foundation skills already on board.
Taking Skillbuilding 1 and 2 at any level is *REQUIRED* for gold and silver participants.
We will be building directly off of the level 1 and 2 exercises, so proficiency with those exercises is assumed.
Bronze students have no "required" prerequisites, but should understand that the class will assume knowledge of the earlier skill levels.
Sample Lecture
Go Out Between Jumps
If you’ve already completed the Go Out and Directed Jumping exercises from Skillbuilding 2 and 3, this will go very quickly for you. We are going to apply those concepts into the context of the ring, jumps and all. Going straight out between the two jumps is challenging for a lot of dogs, especially dogs that have a lot of agility background. Ultimately, it’s a stimulus control problem, jump on one cue, go out on another. So it is very helpful to take a few extra steps to explain this to the dog in a positive way. Our priority is always to be building confidence in our dogs, so we want to avoid errors here as much as possible.
There are MANY possible ways to break this down, I’m showing you just one option. So if this picture doesn’t work, don’t give up! It works pretty well for most dogs though. ;-)
1. We are going to set up very close distances, and low jumps. We won’t be cuing the jumps for a while yet, but just in case the dog goes over one by mistake, it’s very low.
2. Set your jumps perpendicular to the back ring gates (90 degrees from the way you would normally set them). This makes the jump much less inviting to the dog, because it’s mostly hidden from view.
3. Start very close, between the jumps, and restrain your dog and send to the stanchion. Mark and reward correct responses.
4. Gradually work your way backwards, until you are sending from beyond the jumps to the stanchion. Only release the dog to touch the stanchion when she is looking at it.
5. Go back close again, and this time add your “mark” behavior. When the dog is marking the stanchion, give your cue to go touch it. Mark and reward correct responses.
6. If at any time, the dog offers the jump, just ignore it and reset. Don’t reinforce, even if she goes to the gate afterward. Start again from the beginning.
7. Gradually increase the distance.
First step
Adding "mark"
Change the jump angle
1. If the above is going well, reduce your distance again, and angle the jumps slightly so that more of the jump is visible to the dog.
2. Repeat the above steps. First at short distance, then gradually longer.
3. Continue to gradually adjust the angle of the jumps until they are fully parallel to the gates.
4. Gradually increase the distance until the jumps are in normal position.
Testimonials
A SAMPLING OF WHAT PRIOR STUDENTS HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS COURSE ...
Videos were highly motivating - made me want to train! Love how they were short and to the point. Made training fun and interesting. Best of all, I could see progress. Just wish we had more time. . . Lynne A
Hannah is so kind and patient, she gives really good feedback and always offers a tidbit that will add even more success. I feel as though she remembers what we have done in prior classes and she builds upon that in a very productive way. It's always a pleasure to take one of her classes and I look forward to doing more !
This series of classes is a fabulous opportunity for newbies who have never trained the more complex obedience exercises before or the more seasoned handler who is struggling or wants new ideas. It provides a solid foundation for the dog and an in depth understanding for the human. It is tailored to what your dog needs. For my arousaholic dog I have learned some incredibly useful techniques to manage issues that come up in every aspect of our training (and home life). Hannah is encouraging and really cares how you are doing, whether the success is large or small. It provides a wonderful environment for learning and asking questions. Heather L
I think Hannah's Skills series are a "hidden gem" of FDSA. This is where we are learning the tiny skills necessary to incorporate into bigger chains. I can't say enough how instrumental these courses have been to Finn and I. We never "get stuck" for long because we have Hannah to guide us and most importantly, the continuity of the classes allows Hannah to really get to know each team that takes advantage of these classes session after session. She always knows which solution will work best for us. Thanks Hannah!
Hannah always has a way to split behaviors for better teaching. Clear and concise.
Hannah is awesome. She has a great ability to break things down to the littlest thing that makes all the difference. There is a group of us that continue to keep coming back to whatever skills level is available and she lets us work whatever we need help with at any level of that exercise. Her ability to prioritize the emotional state of the dog is a huge strength and makes all the difference for us with softer dogs.
Hannah makes comments and suggestions to help her students move forward and solve problems. She is very supportive and creative in her problem solving.
If you want to compete in obedience, these skill building classes are how you get there. Hannah breaks every exercise apart into building blocks, and you add block after block until you have a finished exercise. Her methods are useful and clear. Why would anyone do it differently
