The end-of-the-semester plus the rather time-consuming episodes of As the Progesterone Rises put me a bit behind schedule but at long last we have the details and schedules for the two (free) online classes for our Berner community.
I am excited!
The two classes are for very specific populations - they are not general training classes (although I may do those this summer). Therefore, read over the following to assess whether either (or both) of these classes will work for you between now and May, and if you feel excited by the description — and have the 1 - 2 hours a week to be an engaged participant — I hope you will join us.
Class One: On Track
What: An online class to train a Berner to pass an AKC Tracking Dog Test in Spring or Summer of 2020.
When: January 4 - May 4
Who: Working Spots are for those who want to prepare a Berner for a Spring/Summer 2020 Tracking Test (including TDX).
Those interested in just learning more about tracking may audit the class.
How: We will utilize videos, discussion, written material, and a private Facebook group for this class. You will need to devote 1 - 2 hours each week to this class (TDX folks will need more time for track aging, of course).
Cost: None.
To sign-up: Send an email indicating your interest to sontag.bowman@gmail.com with ON TRACK in the subject.
Class Two: The Edge
We do not have this much snow — this is from last year!
Background: Dog training is a misnomer. Working with a dog is so much more than putting behaviors on cue.
The dog is actually a furry invitation to be a better human being — to become a more skilled communicator, a better collaborator, and a kinder and smarter person.
A dog allows us to see our Inside Self — the person we are when the only ones looking keep our secrets. But this reflective nature of a dog is also an invitation because it invites honesty, self-reflection, and transformation.
Therefore, a dog is a strange combination of teacher, therapist, and ongoing self-improvement podcast. The lessons we can learn from — and through — a dog have broad life applications. Think of dog training as a sort of Life Coaching and it will transform you — and your dog.
That is the explanation/premise for this online group experience that I am calling The Edge.
The Edge in canine performance events develops from working towards clearly articulated goals in the context of a confident, collaborative, effective – and ethical -- relationship with our dog.
The key ingredients are:
Clarity: We can only arrive at a destination when we choose one.
Communication: Mind reading is not actually a thing.
Collaboration: Who wants to exist under a dictator? #team
Confidence: When you got this, you got this.
Integrity: Always and in everything.
What: An online community/class to help humans achieve specific performance goal(s) with a Berner.
When: February 1 - May 1.
Who: Those who want to prepare a Berner for a Spring/Summer 2020 performance event.
To foster openness and trust, this is a closed working community and not open to auditors.
How: Each week will require an hour or two of time. We will use articles, podcasts, videos, worksheets, journaling, and discussion as learning materials (and the dog, of course); a Facebook group will be utilized to hold all this together.
Cost: None.
To sign-up: Send an email indicating your interest to sontag.bowman@gmail.com with THE EDGE in the subject.