CONTROL UNLEASHED

BUILD A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR DOG WITH CONNECTION THAT IS RESILIENT TO DISTRACTION.

Based on Leslie McDevitt’s acclaimed book series of the same name, Control Unleashed is a training program for students and dogs who are ready to strengthen their communication and connection around distractions. This class is a great fit for those planning to participate in dog sports like agility, but also for any handler of a young, easily distracted, impulsive and/or insecure dog. Emphasis is on handler focus, mutual communication between dog and handler, and the ability to recover a calm state after an exciting or stressful event. Through a series of progressive exercises and games, dogs are set up to cope calmly and stay connected when faced with compelling distractions. This a positive reinforcement-based clicker training class; food and toy rewards are utilized throughout the course.

To take Control Unleashed, it is assumed that the dog and handler have the equivalent of skills learned in Manners 1 and Manners 2 OR Puppy 1, Puppy 2 and Puppy3. We expect that the dog and handler have fluency (one or two cues maximum) in the presence of a novel dog and novel human in a new environment with the following skills:

1. Effective use and timing with a clicker

2. Sit with release

3. Down with release

4. Stay (10 feet)

5. Come (30 feet)

6. Leash walking (15 steps continuous with a loose leash)

7. Leave It (without "help" via leash pulling and/or body blocking by the handler)

8. Go to Mat (send from 6 feet away with an automatic down and stay there until released)

control unleashed part 1

This class is for graduates of Puppy 3, Manners 2, Canine Good Citizen or with Instructor permission. Control Unleashed Part 1 teaches Take a Breath, default behavior, dismissal cue, mat work and pattern games including Up/Down, Ping-Pong, 2 Steps treat, 123 Walking, the Chair Game. Other exercises introduced include the Gimme a Break game, Look at That, chin rest and Off Switch. While we love and recommend reading Control Unleashed: Reactive to Relaxed by Leslie McDevitt, it is not required!

You MUST have instructor approval to sign up for Control Unleashed classes. Email us or schedule an assessment using the button above.

Session Details:

Cost: $170 for 4 weeks | Size: up to 6

control unleashed part 2

For graduates Control Unleashed Part 1, Control Unleashed Part 2 builds on the exercises introduced in CU Part 1 and adds new skills such as using a chin rest for requested approach training (RAT), superbowls, parallel games, and advanced Leave It. Challenge is increased by working with higher arousal and classmate dogs as distractions. Pre-requisite: Control Unleashed Part 1 (taught in 2020 or later) or Instructor Permission.

You MUST have instructor approval to sign up for Control Unleashed classes.

Session Details:

Cost: $170 for 4 weeks | Size: up to 6

control unleashed part 3

CU Part 3 takes all the pattern games and exercises from previous classes and teaches dogs and handlers how to apply them to situations more like real life. Learn which pattern to use when, and how to seamlessly transition from one exercise to another in the moment. For the first 3 weeks of class, a novel helper dog is brought in as a distraction and students are coached on how to use their CU skills to help their dog stay calm and connected. For the 4th week, class meets at a local park to practice with challenges such as joggers, bikes, cars, cows, other dogs, and sometime elk! Pre-requisite: Control Unleashed 2 or Instructor Permission.

You MUST have instructor approval to sign up for Control Unleashed classes.

Session Details:

Cost: $170 for 4 weeks | Size: up to 6

control unleashed part 4: Agility problem solving