online learning community
The Walking Conversation
starting 18 Oct 2024
This is a 4 week course suitable for:
Dogs of all ages, learners of mixed experience: we all travel the road together, side-by-side. Highly recommended for puppies and those who teach others.
Focus on the learning, the skills; not on the lead “loose” or otherwise.
Learn the Art of Standing with Stillness
➤ Give both yourself and the dog time to evaluate the environment and connect before moving together.
Analyse your dog’s gait
➤ Learn to match your stride length to give your dog the best opportunity to move in comfort. When we walk with friends that connect we naturally adjust to synchronise.
Teach your dog what the lead or line is saying
➤ The reach of the line, the balance and the end of line as a cue.
Closing in for Side-by-Side
➤ For safety, for crossing the road, for passing by: the skills of closing into your side.
Parking
➤ Time to breathe, take a break, converse with strangers, drink coffee, pay the bill and be busy.
Escape fire-drills
➤ When events need a fast walk away or simply a MYOB moment (Mind Your Own Business)
Purposefully Wandering
➤ Where you can browse without an agenda to learn the foundation skills.
Ideal environments to learn the foundations include spacious, empty car parks, such as the local superstore on a quiet weekday morning where you can wander around without meeting wildlife, fast cars, cyclists, joggers, people or other dogs.
Progress can then graduate to busier areas and even streets ! 😱 ! so often mine fields ⚠️ with hidden ambushes.
You will need a 6ft or 2m lead and a flat collar or suitable harness. The lead in the video is a Wolters Professional Comfort, 2m.
The course will cover specific aspects of walking together to build the conversation that flows between you and your dogs. Reading material will be available, alongside videos, forums and a weekly live discussions.
You may post your own videos for individual feedback and coaching. This may require someone to follow you with a camera, or as in this video set a camera up and restrict your activity within view.
➤ Live sessions held Friday at 11am* UK for discussions, focus on specific topics and your questions. There will be many questions. The session will be recorded and all material available for 4 weeks after the course finishes.
*1000 GMT/UTC, please watch the time carefully as most will be changing clocks during the course – CHECK HERE)
➤ Participation in the forums creates the very best of online learning: posting progress reports, questions, doubts, ideas, observations, planning.
➤ Feedback and coaching is available for one dog per person. This is through your videos (hosted on YouTube etc) that you share to the forums. Maximum of 9 minutes total in 3 sessions per week) with your progress reports.
If you are enthusiastic about learning, developing and building your relationship, connection and skills then you will be very welcome.
Use the “Watch on YouTube” to avoid silliness …
£130
20% Discount for setter members
Setter Membership ➤
Includes access to all the library courses
course FAQs