Bark University Beginner Class-Wednesday

Bark University Beginner Class (Wednesdays)

Dog Training Goals and Curriculum:

The objective for the Bark University Beginner Class (offered on Tuesday/Wednesday) is to achieve rapid progress in approximately 3-4 sessions to allow dogs and owners to advance quickly, preventing frustration. Owners should reward their dog’s attention to them and learn proper leash handling and treat delivery to maintain loose-leash walking and high reinforcement rates.

Milestones to Advance to Intermediate Level (3-4 Sessions):

1. Impulse Control/Focus:

   • Name Game: Dog responds to their name and focuses on the owner despite mild distractions.
   • Leave It: Dog disengages from treats on the ground or in the owner’s hand.
   • Stay: Holds sit or down position for 10 seconds.

2. Cooperative Care/Handling:

   • Touch: Touches both hands without a lure.
   • Collar Grab: Allows the handler to grab the collar with minimal resistance.

3. Positions:

   • Sit, Down, Stand: Transitions between positions from front (no lure) for 5 seconds.
   • Sit at Side: Sits in heel position with or without a lure.

Skills Taught in Beginner Classes:

1. Foundational Concepts:

   • Using markers and release words.

   • Capturing calm behaviors.

2. Commands and Behaviors:

   • Name Game: Builds focus.
   • Position Variations: Six sits (front, sides; with handler standing or sitting), down, and stand, all with 5-second duration.
   • Stay: 10-second hold.
   • Attention Games: Reward check-ins and focus.
   • Sit at Side: Owner steps into heel position.
   • Leave It: For treats in hand or on the floor.
   • Hand Touch: Builds cooperative care.
   • No Jumping Exercises: Teaches polite behavior.

3. Cooperative Care:

   • Collar grabs, paw handling, and massaging.

4. Generalization Skills:

   • Apply the “3D’s of Dog Training” (Distance, Duration, Distraction).