Control Unleashed
Is your dog...
- Uncomfortable or unable to work off-leash around other dogs?
- Easily distracted?
- Unwilling to or too wound up by playing with a toy around other dogs?
- Reactive* or easily aroused?
- Anxious, stressed, or shut down?
- Unable to control their impulses when excited?
- Unable to be quiet and relaxed in their crate in a class or trial environment?
- A potential competitor in any dog sport?
Then Control Unleashed is for you!
This unique program will teach you and your dog how to relax, focus, and work off-leash reliably in either stimulating or stressful situations. We will
teach you how to get the most out of any dog class you enter by helping your dog have fun and be successful. This class is a great starting-point for any
dog who may someday compete in agility, freestyle, rally obedience, or any other dog sport. Pet dog owners will also benefit by learning better
communication methods and skills to help your dog succeed in everyday life. Students participating in class should be serious about practicing at home with
your dog between classes to get the most out of your class experience (a minimum of four, 15-minute long sessions each week between class is recommended).
A crate or small x-pen that your dog fits in comfortably will be required for each class. You should also bring a mat, rug, or cushy blanket to each
class which both you and your dog fit on.
This class is based on the book Control Unleashed: Creating a
Focused and Confident Dog written by Leslie McDevitt. You are not required to buy or read the book prior to class, but we do invite you to do so
in order to get more out of your class experience!
Class Policies for Control Unleashed:
Because the success of this class depends on the participation of every team who signs up, we have found it necessary to implement some additional
class policies that are not in place for our other classes. Please read these policies carefully and be sure you are able to commit to them before signing
up. Our students are typically very good about adhering to these policies for all classes as most of these are just "common sense" and politeness. Thank you!
- Please be on time for class. You and your dog should be in the classroom ready to work when class starts. For most people, this means you will need to
show up for class 10-20 minutes early in order to have your crate set up inside and your dog exercised (pottied) before class starts.
- Please be prepared for class. You should have your treats and clicker ready; bring enough high-value treats to last the whole class (we suggest bringing
an extra bag "just in case"); a tug toy or ball if your dog enjoys it (please no squeaky toys in class as they are distracting for other dogs); your crate
set up and ready to use; a mat or blanket ready on the floor for you and your dog to sit on; and 1-2 stuffed Kong toys or other similar stuffable chew
toys for your dog to have in his/her crate. Everything should be set up and ready for you to use prior to class starting.
- Regarding latecomers: it is disrespectful and disruptive to the class if students arrive late. Please be on time. Students who arrive late more than once
will not be allowed to enter the second class they are late for as it is not fair to the other students who arrived on time. If you arrive late more than
once you will be considered absent for that session.
- Regarding missing class: because the participation of everyone influences the success of the class, please do not miss class. If you must miss a class,
please notify one of the instructors ahead of time so that we do not hold up class waiting for you to arrive. Students who miss more than two classes will not
be allowed to return, as you will be too far behind to catch up.
*Control Unleashed is appropriate for dogs who may get mildly reactive in exciting circumstances. If your dog is habitually over-reactive or has any
aggression issues around other dogs, you should consider the Reactive Dogs class (offered some Friday nights at Northern Valley Animal Clinic) instead. Your
dog must have successfully completed a Paws Abilities Beginning Obedience or Puppy Kindergarten class or equivalent to be eligible for Control Unleashed.
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