Over the next several months we will be focusing on ENGAGEMENT.

Most of my posts will be dedicated to walking you through step by step the key elements and games to an amazingly engaged dog (and relationship!)

What is engagement?

A dog who is ENGAGED is a dog who looks to their handler for praise, rewards, and attention. Their motivation is their handler.

Why are we focusing on engagement?

Lack of engagement with your dog is the #1 reason why dogs struggle with something. Whether you have a dog that gets distracted on walks, reactive to triggers, doesn't listen off leash, or is a service dog in training - they ALL could learn to have more engagement with their handler.

I may have posts randomly dispersed in-between but the schedule below is to give you a general idea of what we will be focusing on.

So here is the breakdown of what we will be working on step by step:

• Week 1 | Auto Check-ins
• Week 2| Premack Principle Revamped
• Week 3| Purposeful Disengagement
• Week 4| Distractions as Cues for Attention

• Week 5| Recall Cues
• Week 6| Game 1 - Leash Off = Game On
• Week 7| Game 2 - Middle
• Week 8| Game 3 - Doggie Bowling

• Week 9| Game 4 - Treat Catch
• Week 10| Game 5 - Ping Pong Dog
• Week 11| Game 6 - Can't Catch Me!
• Week 12| Using Games in Real Life

• Week 13| Off-leash Rules and When to Try
• Week 14| Social Learning
• Week 15| Problem Solving for Engagement
• Week 16| What Engagement Means for You

I can't wait to see the progress we are all going to make here as a community. I hope to see comments and videos from all of you on your participation and practice! And of course, always feel free to ask me questions and share your successes!