FIT-foundations tm
Our FIT-Foundations™ classes work by channeling our dogs’ innate drives and desires. IE we can utilize our dogs' desire for a treat using various positive reinforcement training techniques (lures, rewards, targeting, capturing and shaping) to motivate and train our dogs to do the exercises and behaviors. Here’s a visual: we lure our dog onto an unstable surface, their innate desire to maintain their balance will take over and they will struggle to maintain their balance for as long as they can.
Its our job as their teammate to help them struggle to maintain their balance for longer and longer duration while being their advocate and setting them up for success.
As they improve, the challenges increase by a surface change and/or incorporating movements and behavioral cues. At that point, it is possible to incorporate behavior modification techniques and behavior cues with specific activities and exercises in order to improve or create the behaviors we want. This all occurs as a part of the exercises we are performing with our dogs!
In addition to our own unique FIT-Foundationsâ„¢ Levels curriculum, we've incorporated Do More With Your Dog! novice-expert behaviors/tricks, so teams have an opportunity to EARN their NTD (novice trick dog) - ETD (expert trick dog) & novice-expert master titles!
Our FIT-Foundations Level 5 coincides with Do More With Your Dog! Champion Trick Dog title and FIT-Foundations Level 6 coincides with Do More With Your Dog! Grand Champion Trick Dog title (those wanting to earn these titles will need to submit video of their tricks to Do More With Your Dog!)
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Even if you do not want to earn trick titles, you are still welcome to participate as our FIT-Foundations program combines manners, tricks and canine fitness as well as foundation skills for various dog sports like Rally-O, Scent Detection and Agility.
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Need to miss a class or want to review what you learn in class? We've got you covered!
Email recaps including video tutorials are sent out after EVERY class! We also send bonus information, handouts, and class reminders!
PupFIT-Foundationsâ„¢
For puppies up to 12 weeks old when starting this program (need at least ONE set of vaccinations 10 days prior to program start)
Click HERE for more information
FIT-Foundations™ Level 1
An entry level manners (obedience) class with a twist!
Like most other entry level classes, FIT-Foundations™ Level 1 teaches ‘foundation’ behaviors such as:
- SIT
- DOWN
- STAND
- STAY
- WAIT
- COME
- LET’S GO (loose leash walking)
- WITH ME (heel)
- FOCUS
- LEAVE IT
- TOUCH
- PAWS UP
UNLIKE any other entry level class, FIT-Foundationsâ„¢ incorporates physical challenges using various pieces of canine conditioning equipment.
We introduce the difference between Paws and Feet, sphinx-down / settle differences, we focus on form during position changes, why it is important to know what your dog's 'normal' alignment is, we teach different positions and what they are called on various pieces of equipment, we introduce various pieces of equipment in this level (FitPAWS k9FITbones, Blue-9 Pet Products Klimbs, balance discs, scattered sticks, cavalettis, rocker and wobble board, tunnels, hoops, balance beam, and more!)
It's the perfect blend of manner, fitness, tricks and FUN for your canine companion!
Your dog will not only learn the foundation behaviors, but by incorporating physical activity, we are able to add fun and exciting mental challenges to traditional dog training. You will be able to improve your dog's physical health and their behavior at the same time!
Classes are held at our indoor training facility in Lacombe!
TUESDAYS 1:00-2:00pm
6 Classes November 7 - December 19 (no class Nov 14) 4 Spots
$215.00 +gst
TUESDAYS 5:30-6:30pm
6 Classes November 7 - December 19 (no class Nov 14) 4 Spots
$215.00 +gst
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FIT-Foundations™ Level 2
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 or Just the Dog
MONDAYS 5:30-6:30pm
6 Classes November 6 - December 18 (no class Nov 13) 3 Spots Open
$215.00 +gst
WEDNESDAYS 5:00-6:00pm
6 Classes November 1 - December 13 (no class Nov 15) 3 Spots Open
$215.00 +gst
FIT-Foundations™ Level 3
FIT-Foundationsâ„¢ Level 3 is our Advanced program, building on the manners, tricks and skills taught in our Level 2 program while adding in even more canine conditioning exercises to strengthen our dog's bodies while working their busy brains for the ultimate mental/physical combination. Like in our Level 1 and Level 2 programs where we used a variety of positive reinforcement training methods (luring, targeting, shaping) and implemented both a verbal reward marker and a clicker, we continue strengthening our communication skills while adding more behaviors to our toolbox in order to continue to improve the human-canine relationship and bond. Our Level 3 program implements a new training technique called 'capturing'; students use this skill to teach chin to floor (head down) aka CUTE!
This level is where we get a start on the sport of Scent Detection.
We use wintergreen so that students can progress their skills with an easy transition into a scent-specific class.
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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Some of the skills in this level include:
Send to Place from 10ft / 3 Behaviors at 10ft (distance) / Back Up 5ft / Solidifying finding 'Feet'
Sidestepping Ladder (back feet) / Chin (chin target) / Cute (chin to floor)
Heeling drills (Get Ready, Heel, Auto-Sit, Stay, Front, Finish)
Intro to Scent Detection (wintergreen) / Intro to Shopping Cart / Pickpocket Pooch
Step360 / Peanut work / Barrel Roll
Review Bow, Clean Up Toys, Tap Light,
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As a BONUS, for those who EARNED their Do More With Your Dog! ITD (intermediate trick dog title) in Level 2, we provide the opportunity for teams to EARN their ATD (advanced trick dog title) and Master title in Level 3!
***Pre-requisite FIT-Foundations Level 2
WEDNESDAYS 7:00-8:00pm
6 Classes November 1 - December 13 (no class Nov 15) 3 Spots Open
$215.00 +gst
FIT-Foundations™ Level 4
FIT-Foundationsâ„¢ Level 4 is our Expert program, building on the manners, tricks and skills taught in our Level 3 program while adding in even more canine conditioning exercises to strengthen our dog's bodies while working their busy brains for the ultimate mental/physical combination.
Like in our FIT-Foundations levels 1-3 programs where we used a variety of positive reinforcement training methods (luring, targeting, shaping, capturing) and implemented both a verbal reward marker and a clicker, we continue strengthening our communication skills while adding more behaviors to our toolbox in order to continue to improve the human-canine relationship and bond. Our Level 4 program implements a variety of chained behaviors in order to perform more complex skills and tricks.
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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Some of the skills we will perform in this level include:
Soccer / Intro to Triebball (send dog around ball from 15ft - dog pushes ball towards you)
Ladder (push ball through ladder / back up through ladder / review sidestepping paws & feet)
Paw Pods (all 4's - independent limb placement)
Distance (6 behaviors at 12ft) / Send to small target 20ft away
Semi-Formal Retrieve over jump (a toy can be used in place of 'dumbbell')
Subtle Cues - My dog can read! (Index Cards)
Double Balance Beam / Low Teeter / Double Hoop Jump /
Review Shopping Cart / Barrel Roll / Scent Detection (6 container wintergreen search)
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As a BONUS, for those who EARNED their Do More With Your Dog! ATD (advanced trick dog title) in Level 3, we provide the opportunity for teams to EARN their ETD (expert trick dog title) in Level 4!
***Pre-requisite FIT-Foundations Level 3
FIT-Foundations™ Level 5
FIT-Foundationsâ„¢ Level 5 is another Expert program, building on the manners, tricks and behaviors taught in our Level 3 & 4 programs while adding in even more canine conditioning exercises to strengthen our dog's bodies while working their busy brains for the ultimate mental/physical combination. Like in our FIT-Foundations levels 1-4 programs where we used a variety of positive reinforcement training methods (luring, targeting, shaping, capturing) and implemented both a verbal reward marker and a clicker, we continue strengthening our communication skills while adding more behaviors to our toolbox in order to continue to improve the human-canine relationship and bond. Our Level 5 program implements a variety of chained behaviors in order to perform more complex behaviors and tricks.
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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Many of the behaviors & tricks from previous levels make their way into this program to practice and hone skills
NEW SKILLS:
Weave Poles (intro)
Orbit (go around me backwards)
NEW POTENTIAL SKILLS:
Achoo (bring me a tissue)
Footsies (peekaboo - paws on my feet while we walk)
Airplane Arms (circle me jumping my arms while I sit)
Open to suggestions from the class as to what the group wants to learn!
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As a BONUS, we provide the opportunity for teams to practice / take video to submit for their TDCH (champion trick dog title)!
***Pre-requisite FIT-Foundations Level 4
TUESDAYS 5:30-6:15pm
5 Bi-Weekly Classes October 23 - December 18 (no classes Oct 30, Nov 13, Nov 27, Dec 11) 1 spot open
$195.00 +gst (original 5-session class format)
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FIT-Foundations™ Level 6
FIT-Foundationsâ„¢ Level 6 is another Expert program, building on the manners, tricks and behaviors taught in our Level 3 & 4 programs while adding in even more canine conditioning exercises to strengthen our dog's bodies while working their busy brains for the ultimate mental/physical combination. Like in our FIT-Foundations levels 1-5 programs where we used a variety of positive reinforcement training methods (luring, targeting, shaping, capturing) and implemented both a verbal reward marker and a clicker, we continue strengthening our communication skills while adding more behaviors to our toolbox in order to continue to improve the human-canine relationship and bond. Our Level 6 program implements a variety of chained behaviors in order to perform more complex behaviors and tricks.
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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Many of the behaviors & tricks from previous levels make their way into this program to practice and hone skills
NEW SKILLS:
Basketball
Ring Toss
Open to suggestions from the class as to what the group wants to learn!
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As a BONUS, we provide the opportunity for teams to practice / video to submit for their TDGCH (grand champion trick dog title)!
***Pre-requisite FIT-Foundations Level 5