![How To Structure An Open Enrollment Dog Training Class]()
by Laurie Schlossnagle | Dec 19, 2014 | Training Methods
Open Enrollment Dog Training Classes
Open enrollment dog training classes are a big leap from traditionally scheduled and planned classes, but the conveniences they provide to our students are outstanding! Many students are looking for convenience in their classes and this concept can be a delightful change in your class schedule.
Set Up An Orientation Time For New Students
Orientation time can be a separate class time (for example: orientation is each week on Mondays at 6:00 p.m.), 15 – 30 minutes before each class, or a film a video you can send to new clients to watch before class. During orientation, cover topics such as clicker basics, classroom philosophy, and housekeeping items.
Create Your Schedule
Determine how often you want the class to “roll over” or begin again. Make a list of topics you want to cover in a typical series and how many classes it takes to include all of them (my classes “roll over” every six weeks). Also determine how many times each week you will offer the same class, adding to the flexibility factor of this structure.
Be Prepared To Have Students At Different Levels
Open enrollment classes mean that potentially every student in your class could be at a different level on the same exercise. Be prepared to address these different levels. Using the three D’s (duration, distraction, and distance) is helpful in preparing your classes to address the different needs of students at different levels.
Make Flexible, Open-ended Lesson Plans
Having flexible, open-ended lesson plans for each class gives you direction and purpose. It will make each class session more productive if you have goals set ahead of time.
Educate Your Current And Potential Students
Remember, this may be a new concept to your students, too! Explain your new class structure, outline the benefits, and show them how this will the flexibility will suite their needs.
Give It Time To Work
We have taught traditionally planned and scheduled classes for a long time. It’s going to take some time for you and your students to get used to this new concept. Give yourself time to settle into this new routine, but make sure your plan is clear to your clients to avoid miscommunication.
Comment below if you run open enrollment dog training classes and what you think of them!
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![10 Ways To Use A Mat In Training]()
by Laurie Schlossnagle | Nov 24, 2014 | Training Methods
Excellent Reasons to Use a Mat in Dog Training
A mat, or a defined place for a dog to “go to,” is a versatile and useful behavior to teach a dog. A mat can be many things: a dog bed, a dog mat, a bath mat, a towel, a blanket, a pillow — whatever makes the most sense for the dog and the handler.
1. As A “Place” For The Dog
Useful in emergencies, when clients can’t put their dog in a crate, when they have dropped something, or when they need to vacuum. This gets the dog out of danger quickly without a hassle.
2. Inviting Guests
A doorbell or knock can be the cue for a dog to go to his mat and wait while the client answers the door. This helps to prevent door dashing and impolite greetings.
3. Out From Underfoot In The Kitchen
Instead of being underfoot, the dog is waiting patiently on her mat for the client to finish preparing her meal and/or her medications.
4. Keep Visitors Happy
Some people are not terribly fond of dogs and some dogs are not terribly fond of visitors in their home. When a dog is comfortable on his mat, it makes social gatherings so much easier on everyone! The dog can be a part of the party, but at a safe distance for everyone.
5. Teaching Stay
Having a defined space helps some dogs better understand the concept of stay. The mat is a physical cue for them to lie down and be still.
6. Teaching Tricks
A very cute trick where the dog lies down on a blanket or mat, then grabs the corner of it and rolls herself up in the blanket or mat can be taught by starting with a go to the mat exercise.
7. Home Away From Home
While traveling, it is nice for a dog to have a familiar spot to lie down, to sleep, to hang out. A mat can be a great safety blanket for a dog.
8. Therapy Dog Work
There are many times in therapy dog work where dogs need to simply hang out. Using a mat defines this idea for the dogs and gives them a familiar space. Reading programs are a time/place where using a mat is very helpful and comforting to the dog, the handler, and the reader.
9. Working Outside
If the dog participates in outdoor activities in all kinds of weather, a mat will be helpful in giving the dog a clean, dry space to be. The mat also helps to protect the dog from hot or cold surface temperatures.
10. Defined Space
In a multiple dog house, or in a class situation, having a defined space a dog can call his own, without worrying about other dogs infringing on that space, can help the dog to feel more comfortable and more focused.
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![5 Reasons To Use Rally Obedience Signs In Your Basic Level Training Classes]()
by Laurie Schlossnagle | Nov 6, 2014 | Training Methods
Rally Obedience Signs Can Be Valuable In Any Dog Training Class
No need to reinvent the wheel…there is probably a rally sign for it! Rally obedience signs are not just for Rally-O training and competitions. Rally is a sport designed for handlers and dogs at all stages of training. Utilizing the signs not only works in a basic level class, but also makes sense and has a variety of benefits.
1. Accommodate Visual Learners
Visual learners can SEE what you are asking them to do and may process information better and more efficiently. Addressing and accommodating learning styles in both the handler and the dog will be a benefit to both you and your students. It will make your classes unique and effective.
2. Students Don’t Have To Wait For Further Instructions
It allows for teams to work individually while you are assisting other teams. Setting up signs in your training space with numbers or symbols for your students to follow independently gives you more time to help other teams one-on-one.
3. Choose From A Variety Of Venues
There are several venues of rally obedience; allowing for a visual variety of the same exercise. Check with local competitors and/or clubs to find out what venues of rally obedience are popular in your area. Using several of the locally popular venues gives you and your students variety in class and exposure to dog sports. Below are to signs from five different organizations that offer rally obedience competition:
4. Custom Training In A Group Setting
When teaching rolling enrollment classes, the signs can help you address the different levels of your students. For Fido’s first class, using the “sit” sign gets Fido up and moving and involved right away; for Fido’s next class, using the “sit-walk around (stay)” sign begins the 3-D instruction/training (duration, distance, distraction). While Fido is working on his “sit” and “sit-walk around (stay),” Spot is working on “sit” and “down” and Rover is working on polite leash walking using the pace change signs (“slow,” “fast,” and “normal”). The rally obedience signs are a great way to adjust to each dog’s skill level.
5. Easy Introduction To Students’ Next Possible Class
It may get your students interested in doing something beyond your basic level training class (increasing retention and income). Many students are interested in doing more with their dogs beyond the basic levels, but are not sure how to proceed. Having already seen the rally signs in class will encourage and empower students to continue with their training and strive to do more with their dogs.
Do you use rally obedience signs in your classes?
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![5 Benefits to Starting An Open Enrollment Puppy Class]()
by Laurie Schlossnagle | Oct 22, 2014 | Business, Training Methods
Open enrollment puppy classes gives clients flexibility and puppies a head start. These classes offer many benefits to all involved – the clients, the puppies, and the instructor(s).
Why You Should Host An Open Enrollment Puppy Class
1) No Waiting To Start Class
Puppies can start as soon as they arrive in the home and have received their required amount of vaccinations. No waiting until the next class starts.
2) Community of Puppy Owners
There are widely varying levels of experience, training, and puppy “issues” in the class – so new puppy families can see that they are not alone and also that there is hope for their puppy. Students also learn from each other.
3) Easy Make Up Policy
If families must miss a class, they can make it up the next time it rolls around. The rolling enrollment model offers far more flexibility with schedules. When coming to class is more flexible, families are more likely to come.
4) Continuous Income
Income from class fees and product sales comes in more steadily and frequently.
5) Stronger Customer Retention
Because the instructor spends more time working one-on-one with each family, they are more likely to continue taking classes with the instructor as their puppy grows up (customer retention).
Implementing an open enrollment puppy class can be challenging (stepping out of a comfort zone), but once it gets up and running, the benefits are huge for all involved.
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