Skills for Families Group Class

Service Description

In this 12 week online course, you will learn the foundational skills you and your dog need to handle all the ups and downs of living with kids. This course is perfect for dog owners planning to become parents, those with a baby on the way, and even parents who already have a baby, toddler, or even school-aged children. Foster parents, grandparents, and child care providers with dogs in their home will all benefit as well. With a maximum of 4 families per class, you will get plenty of one-on-one attention during each class while also getting the benefit of seeing other families working with their dogs. Just like with our private programs, you will receive coaching and feedback on the homework videos you submit for each lesson so that we can make sure that you and your pup are right on track. Timestamped feedback also allows you to see things you might not notice in real time, helping you to become even better at reading your dog and adjusting a situation as needed to support your dog's success. Submitting your homework videos is not a bonus; it's critical to your success! We know life with kids is busy and often unpredictable, so the 6 classes will be held every other week over 12 weeks to allow extra time for you to practice. In addition to receiving detailed notes and video tutorials after each class, all classes will be recorded and uploaded into a Google Drive folder so that only you and your classmates may access them. This allows you to refer back to the videos as needed and also allows you to catch up if you end up missing a class. Prerequisite: - Family PawsⓇ Dogs & StorksⓇ or Dogs & ToddlersTM seminar (online or in-person) OR - Private Family Consultation with Calmer Canines Human skills taught include: - Reading your dog's body language - How to set up Family Paws Success Stations - How to set up scenarios so that your dog can learn with minimal mistakes - How to adjust scenarios when your dog needs more help Dog skills taught include: - Settle behind a gate and/or in a crate (away from you) - Relax while on leash inside the home - Come away from distractions - Give eye contact even while distracted - Leave It - Wait at doors, gates, and stairs - Go to Place when cued and stay until released - Settle on a mat while you/others walk around (i.e. to hush a crying baby) - Respond to known cues from 5-10ft away and/or with a gate in between you - Respond to known cues while you are busy and/or holding a child