Holding Position with Passion

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Do you have a dog who struggles with holding the start line behaviour consistently? This video shows a new twist on the traditional ways we often use to teach a dog to "stay".

One of the behaviours that is the hardest for people to train without the use of punishment as a core element in the training plan is the "stay" or the "hold position". In this video we flip this behaviour on its head, and instead of teaching the dog NOT to move, we simply teach the dog WHEN to move. This approach creates a joyful start line behaviour and a dog who is waiting attentively for the moment when you tell them "It's GO time!"

Check out this comprehensive PDF that includes extra details on the science and strategies around dealing with errors.

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About Me...

Heather Wark

I have been working as a professional dog trainer since 1996. I attended my first dog agility class in 1998 and I haven't looked back. My dog Tilley and I went on to compete in the sport of agility attending regional and national events and obtained a 3rd place overall for pre-elite dogs at the NADAC Nationals.

I obtained an undergraduate degree in psychology where I did extensive coursework and a thesis in animal behaviour. This foundation continues to support me to understand the science behind effective animal training. I went on to earn B. Ed. and and M. Ed. degrees which helps me with curriculum design and understanding the human learning process happening on the other end of the leash.

I continue to grow and learn from my dogs, my students and from other leaders and progressive thinkers in the field, and I bring this learner's mindset to each new partnership I work with.

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