Specialty Workshops
Focused training opportunities for dogs and their people.
October
Perfect Indications: An Introduction to the Trained Final Response
Friday October 16th at 6 PM
Location: Rotten Dog Sports Lodge
Sign up here!
This workshop provides an introduction to trained final responses (TFRs) for nosework and detection dogs. We’ll discuss what a TFR is, what the finished behavior can look like, how the training is broken down, and work through some of the very first foundation steps.
This workshop is intended as an introduction, not to produce a finished TFR in a single session. The focus is on understanding the training process and getting hands-on experience with the earliest stages of building the behavior. Dogs do NOT need to be on odor to participate.
Limited to six working teams. A small number of audit spots are available.
Working Spots: $85/Team (limited to six teams)
Audit Spots: $40 each
November
Perfect Indications: An Introduction to the Trained Final Response
Sunday November 1st at 12PM
Location: Rotten Dog Sports Lodge
Sign up here!
This workshop provides an introduction to trained final responses (TFRs) for nosework and detection dogs. We’ll discuss what a TFR is, what the finished behavior can look like, how the training is broken down, and work through some of the very first foundation steps.
This workshop is intended as an introduction, not to produce a finished TFR in a single session. The focus is on understanding the training process and getting hands-on experience with the earliest stages of building the behavior. Dogs do NOT need to be on odor to participate.
Limited to six working teams. A small number of audit spots are available.
Working Spots: $85/Team (limited to six teams)
Audit Spots: $40 each
Confidence Building: Creating Capable Dogs
Friday November 6th at 6 PM
Location: Rotten Dog Sports Lodge
Sign up here!
Building a confident, capable dog is about more than exposure to new things. It’s about creating thoughtful experiences that encourage curiosity, problem solving, resilience, and independence. This workshop offers an introduction to Vickery K9’s approach to confidence building, with exercises tailored to meet each dog where they are. Dogs will have opportunities to explore, experiment, problem solve, and work through new experiences while learning to navigate uncertainty and adapt when things don’t go exactly as expected.
Confidence building isn’t just for fearful or unsure dogs. Every dog can benefit from experiences that expand what they’re comfortable doing, encourage them to think through problems, and help them become more adaptable and resilient. Exercises are individualized so each dog can be challenged at a level that is appropriate for them.
Limited to six working teams. A small number of audit spots are available.
Working Spots: $85/Team (limited to six teams)
Audit Spots: $40 each
Unlocking Inaccessible Hides
Friday November 16th at 6 PM
Location: Rotten Dog Sports Lodge
Sign up here!
Inaccessible hides bring a unique set of challenges and benefit from being developed as a skill of their own. This workshop takes a closer look at how to introduce and build inaccessible hides through thoughtful, progressive training. We’ll explore how to break the skill into manageable pieces, gradually increase difficulty, and help dogs learn to work as close to source as access allows.
Teams will work through exercises tailored to their current skill level, with a focus on developing the dog’s understanding while giving handlers a clearer framework for setting up and progressing inaccessible hide training.
Dogs should already be confidently searching for target odor to participate. Limited to six working teams. A small number of audit spots are available.
Working Spots: $85/Team (limited to six teams)
Audit Spots: $40 each
Proof It! Building Reliable Behaviors
Friday November 20th at 6 PM
Location: Rotten Dog Sports Lodge
Sign up here!
Teaching a behavior is only the beginning. Building reliability means helping your dog understand that the same rules still apply when the environment, distractions, distance, or difficulty change. This workshop introduces the process of proofing trained behaviors and building skills that hold up beyond the training environment and in the real world. We’ll explore how to add difficulty thoughtfully, identify where a behavior begins to break down, and adjust the training so your dog can be successful as expectations increase.
Dogs can work on a variety of previously learned behaviors, making this workshop appropriate for teams at a wide range of training levels.
Limited to six working teams. A small number of audit spots are available.
Working Spots: $85/Team (limited to six teams)
Audit Spots: $40 each