GUIDED PRACTICE
Life doesn't happen in a training room.
Training doesn't end after a lesson, and neither does learning.
Guided Practice offers small-group, real-world learning experiences for people who want support applying familiar skills beyond a structured training session.
Rather than teaching every team the same lesson in the same way, we use the environment and the moments that naturally arise to practice reading your dog, adjusting your approach, and making thoughtful decisions together.
How Guided Practice Works
1. Practice in real life
Explore a real-world skill, setting, or situation through thoughtfully guided practice.
2. Learn Together
Work at a level that makes sense for you and your dog, with support adjusting distance, expectations, and your approach along the way.
3. Take it with you
Build a better understanding of how to read your dog, respond to the moment, and make thoughtful decisions beyond the experience.
What Guided Practice is all about
Every dog is different
Every person is different
Every moment is different
Guided Practice isn't about everyone completing the same exercise in the same way. It's about helping each team use familiar skills within real-life situations.
Sometimes your dog may benefit from creating distance.
Sometimes asking for a familiar behavior is the right choice.
Sometimes slowing down and observing is exactly what they need.
Learning to recognize those moments, and decide what to do next, is what guided practice is all about.
One of the greatest benefits of learning in a group is seeing different dogs, different people, and different solutions. You don't just learn from your own experience; you learn from everyone else's, too.
Now Enrolling: Real-World Skills
Real-World Skills
6-WEEK SERIES
Practice the skills that help you and your dog navigate everyday life with greater confidence, connection, and cooperation.
Through guided real-world scenarios, you'll work on:
• Walking together on leash
• Passing people and dogs
• Waiting and settling
• Recall and reconnection
• Greetings and handling
• Navigating everyday distractions
• Recognizing when to cue, pause, create distance, or move on
• Supporting recovery when a moment becomes difficult
The goal isn't perfect performance. It's learning how to make thoughtful decisions with your dog in the moments that matter.
Is Real-World Skills the Right Fit?
Real-World Skills is designed for dogs who already have some familiar skills and are ready to practice using them in everyday environments.
Advanced obedience and perfect behavior are not required. Your dog may still bark, pull, become excited, or need additional space and support.
This Series May Be a Good Fit If:
A Different Starting Point May Be More Supportive If:
• Your dog already has some experience working with you and understands a few familiar skills
• Your dog can reconnect with you at least some of the time around distractions.
• Your dog can participate around people and other dogs with reasonable space and support
• Your dog may become excited or reactive but can move away and begin to recover.
• You want help applying familiar skills in real-life situations and learning what to do in the moment.
• Your dog becomes highly distressed, panicked, or shuts down in public environments.
• Your dog is unable to respond, move away, or begin recovering even with additional distance.
• Your dog cannot safely maintain space from people or other dogs.
• Your dog requires continuous one-on-one support to participate safely
• Your dog is still beginning foundational skills and isn't ready to use them around mild distractions.
Why Fit Matters
The goal is to create meaningful learning experiences, not simply expose dogs to as much as possible. We don't want to flood dogs, create negative experiences, or place them in an environment they aren't ready for. Each dog should be challenged at a level where they can still think, respond, recover, and experience success.
Not sure? Tell me about your dog when registering and I'll help you determine the most supportive starting point.
Guided Practice Happens In Different Ways
Guided practice is offered at select times throughout the year. Each experience has its own focus, format, and participation guidelines.
Short Series
One-Time Pop Ups
Guided Outings
Workshops
Multi-week experiences focused on a theme.
Single-session opportunities with a specific focus.
Fun, low pressure outings to practice in new places.
Focused learning experiences that explore a specific skill or topic in greater depth.
These are examples of what Guided Practice may look like. New experiences will be developed and announced as they take shape.
Guided Practice experiences will be offered on select dates throughout the year.
Join the email list to hear what's coming next, when registration opens, and how to determine whether an experience is the right fit for your dog.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How will I know if an experience is right for my dog? Each Guided Practice offering will include its own focus, format, locations, group size, and participation guidelines. It will also explain any recommended skills or previous experience and who the opportunity may or may not be a good fit for. If you're unsure, you're always welcome to reach out before registering.
Will dogs be expected to interact with one another? No. Dogs will not be required to greet or play with one another. Most experiences will focus on helping dogs practice around other teams while maintaining the space they need. If an experience includes any planned interaction, that will be clearly explained beforehand.
Are there requirements to participate? Requirements may vary depending on the experience. For opportunities that include your dog, they must meet age-appropriate vaccination requirements, be free from contagious illness, and arrive with secure, comfortable walking equipment. Any additional training, safety, or participation requirements will be included with the individual offering.
Can puppies or reactive dogs participate? Possibly. Age or reactivity alone does not prevent a dog from participating. Some experiences may be appropriate for puppies, dogs who need additional space, or dogs who bark or become excited around distractions. Other experiences may require more established skills or comfort in shared environments. Each offering will explain who it is designed for and what level of support can reasonably be provided. Puppies must meet age-appropriate vaccination requirements for the locations being used. If you're unsure about your dog's readiness, you're welcome to reach out before registering.