FIT-Foundations™ Level 2 is heavily 'concept' based and our dogs learn to use their bodies in new ways. 

We introduce the FitPAWS peanut in this level.

Go Around a cone, Figure-8s around 2 cones (and legs), Leg Weaving, Peekaboo while walking (these are great warmup exercises - not just cute tricks!)

We introduce sidestepping through a ladder with front paws in, shake hands, press a tap light, and wipe their own paws (this can be progressed to a nail board, helping to keep at least front paw nails shorter along with reducing the mud tracking in!). 

Dogs use their mouth by playing tug, fetching a toy to hand, and learning to clean up their toys (this comes in handy when you drop something and now you have help retrieving it! Or perhaps helping with the laundry or carrying an item for you. This behavior definitely opens up a lot of opportunities!)  

They will target a stick with their nose, learn to unroll a yoga mat and we progress the shell game introduced in FFL1 (we teach our dog to find food / toys using their amazing sniffing skills and progress to an intro to Scent Detection in FFL3)

Of course this is just the beginning! There are so many other fun behaviors that we will implement in this level.

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We build on the manners and behaviors taught in our Level 1 class while adding in more canine conditioning exercises to strengthen our dog's bodies while working their busy brains for the ultimate mental/physical combination. In our Level 1 program we introduced luring, targeting and verbal reward markers. In our Level 2 program we introduce another positive reinforcement training technique called shaping as well as a clicker which is a non-verbal reward marker (included with your program). By implementing these new tools and techniques along with the foundation skills we used in Level 1, we are able to further strengthen our communication skills and add more behaviors to our toolbox which improves the human-canine relationship and bond. 

The better we are able to communicate and have our requests understood by our dog, the less stress occurs at both ends of the leash and the more willing our four-legged team mate will be to perform the behaviors that are asked of them. Like us, the stronger their foundation is physically (core, stabilizers, etc...), the better able they will be to prevent injuries. Maintaining a healthy weight and body composition is of the utmost importance for our four-legged companions as obesity correlates to disease and can even promote an early death.

By incorporating more physical and mental challenges, we can potentially lengthen our dog's life span while helping prevent injury and disease.

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As a BONUS, for those who EARNED their Do More With Your Dog! NTD (novice trick dog) in Level 1, we provide the opportunity for teams to EARN their ITD (intermediate trick dog title) in Level 2 as well as Master titles!

***Pre-requisite FIT-Foundations Level 1