Course Name

Building the Skilled and Confident Dog (Rehabilitation)

Begins

September 2010

Teacher
Mentor

Kay Laurence & Chris Bond
Elizabethanne Stevens

Outline

Many dogs suffer from a hasty, mislabelling of their frustrations, misunderstanding and square-peg-in-a-round-hole syndromes as “aggressive” or “problem dogs”. Often the root cause is lack of skills and confidence – their inability to deal with a constantly changing environment (our normal world), exposure to threatening situations that they could not escape from (a puppy class, or children’s party) and punishment for their choice of solutions and inappropriate reinforcement at exactly the wrong time. All these strategies contribute to a total disbelief that anything positive can be achieved. This also affects the people who live with them who are often greatly disturbed by their dog’s behaviour, particularly when it was unexpected. The dog will look at them for information, understanding and protection, whereas they often see uncertainty, late response and an abandonment.

This course is going to cover a range of activities that will build confidence:

• in the physical skills needed to communicate with subtlety and not over reaction: balance, co-ordination, strength and fitness.
• to enjoy activities in the alien world, to walk away from confrontation find someone who listens to them, enjoy learning in companionship.
• in the mental skills that make decision making easier, coping an everyday success, interpretation with curiosity, not alarm.

This will be based on a solid foundation in basic learning skills, puzzle solving, self awareness; techniques to develop trust, security and partnership; desensitisation and counter-conditioning to reduce stress, uncertainty or anxiety; building the ability to focus on task and reject environmental cues.

This course is perfect for youngsters in need of a structured learning programme, and is ideal for rehabilitation of dogs with mild fears or lack of confidence.

This class is not intended for severe fear or aggression issues. Owners of severely fearful or aggressive dogs should seek a reputable positive-training consultant in their area.

No of Lessons: 6

Fee: £145

ClassRoom Time
Dates

Saturdays: 2-6pm GMT (beginning 3-7pm, and then 2-6 pm)
Sep 4, 18, Oct 2, 16, 30, Nov 13

Next Course

Course Name

Cues & Reinforcers

Begins

Sep 2010

Teacher
Mentor

Kay Laurence
Sam Pouw-Turner

Outline

Clicker Training is one of the most powerful forms of communication and teaching. It allows us to build  learning across all species that is reliable, strong and fluent. But without effective connection through the cues these exquisitely taught behaviours can be lost.

Learn how to put a behaviour “on cue”. The range of cues we can use through touch, visual signals, objects, environments, locations, activities and sound. Strengthen the learner’s connection of the cue to the behaviour and build high levels of response. Use cues to change emotions and as reinforcers themselves.

Reinforcers are affecting our training all of the time. Learn how to use a variety of different reinforcers, from the very mild to the very strong. Learn how to deliver with the right speed, pace, and precision. Become aware of unintentional reinforcement and how you can taint reinforcement.

No of Lessons: 6

Fee: £145

ClassRoom Time
Dates

Friday 2-6pm UTC/GMT, Sep 10 & 24, Oct 8 & 22, Nov 12 & 26

Next Course

September 2011

 Course Name

Microshaping

Begins

Jan 2011

Teacher
Mentor

Kate Mallatratt
Sachiko Eubanks

Outline

Microshaping is a termed coined by Kay Laurence in 2003. It encompasses the benefits of free shaping - where the dog self teaches under your guidance, and the precision that is often missing when you cannot lure. The aim of micro shaping is to maintain a 90-100% reinforcement rate on every behaviour through every step of the increasing criteria. This is as close as we can practically get to error-free learning.

In this course you will learn excellent observation skills and truly enhance your ability to break down the behaviour and build learning patterns.

You will require some understanding of clicker training and have experience free shaping behaviours.

No of lessons: 6

Fee: £145

ClassRoom Time
Dates

2011: 8 Jan, 22 Jan, 5 Feb, 19 Feb, 5 Mar, 19 Mar

Next Course

Summer 2011

Course Name

Play with Your Dog

Begins

Next April 2011

Teacher
Mentor

Kay Laurence
tba

Outline

Play is a wonderful way to develop your relationship with your dog, explore their personalities and develop a reinforcer of the very highest value.

Teaching fetch-and-go, tug and learn, sheep-balls, whippit rats or watch the mouse games develop our understanding of the innate behaviour in dogs. It needs to be fun for both participants, and safe.

Learn how to set rules for both players, keep the stimulation high and the arousal under control. Manage the energy and develop great communication.

No of Lessons: 3

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ClassRoom Time
Dates

tba

Next Course

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