Congratulations to Lori with Doby and Drover, and Emily with Brady and Tali for completing the ParCourse Challenge! Their certificates are in the classroom. Thanks for participating! It's time to get this group hopping! What should we do next? A similar type of challenge? The last one wasn't well-received, so I think maybe we need to change things up. I'd really like to see more conversations here, so I do think something like a weekly conversation topic would be cool. What do you think about that? What about some different exercises here and there for different sports? What do you want from this group? Just for fun, I'm attaching a coloring page that's available for free on my Buy Me a Coffee Shop. There are several free things there that you might be interested in. Check it out! Here's the link: https://buymeacoffee.com/brennafender/extras Thanks! Brenna

Any plans? I'm doing some conformation training with my puppy and I need to figure out how to enter a Fetch trial! I guess I need to read the rules first so I am sure I have what I need and then enter. :) Hope you all are well!

Please submit your video in this thread!

Complete 8 specific behaviors in this order to complete the ParCOURSE Challenge! Video submissions should consist of one video showing the completion of the behaviors in the prescribed order below. The behaviors can be performed as a course, moving from obstacle to obstacle, or separate videos of the behaviors can be edited together into one video. So you can do them in a series around your house or yard, or as single behaviors in a small space. You can even do one recording and pause your camera in between behaviors. No labeling or text on the video is required. You may use the same obstacles more than once, and it is okay to use agility obstacles as they are designed to be used. You may use treats and toys to reward in between behaviors. You must not have food in your hands during the behavior. Please make it clear that your hands are empty before and during the performance of the behavior. If you need assistance understanding how to complete any of the behaviors, or have any other questions, please post them below. DEADLINE: March 31st "COURSE" 1. Sit for 3 seconds on the left or right side of the handler. The sit does not have to be straight and can be angled to any degree. The dog must just be on the side of the handler. 2. Figure 8 around two items. Your dog goes around each of two items/posts/barrels/etc. in a figure 8 pattern. The handler does not do the figure 8. This is done in traditional canine parkour and can be seen in our previous challenge. ALTERNATIVE VERSION: The dog and handler heel around two items in a figure 8 pattern as is done in traditional obedience. Heel position may be imprecise. 3. Front 2 feet on an obstacle of any height. This pose must be held for a minimum of 3 seconds. 4. All 4 feet on an obstacle that is hock height or lower. The obstacle must not be flat on the ground, so there needs to be a height of at least a half inch, approximately. The dog must remain on the obstacle for a minimum of 3 seconds. No specific position is required. The dog does not have to be perfectly still, but should not be walking around for the 3 seconds. The dog must have all 4 feet on the obstacle and may not be resting their front feet on the handler.

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to send out a quick note because today I wrote about behavior modification, including a quick summary of B.F. Skinner's theory, in my newsletter, "My Phone Booth Phase." It is not a newsletter about dog training, but this week I wanted to talk about how we modify behavior in animals and people. It's a free weekly mailer, but you don't have to subscribe to read the article. It's called No Drama Llama. You can find it here: https://myphoneboothphase.substack.com/p/no-drama-llama In other news, some of you asked about the February Challenge. I am going to do a March Challenge, but start it early. I hope to post it later this week. How are you all? What have you been working on and what's ahead for you? I helped a friend at a conformation show again this past weekend and poorly handled a little dog that really didn't want to hang out with me, but it was fun anyway. I also got to see Fetch competition at this AKC show and I'm excited about it! I started training my Whippet immediately and I need to see when he can make his debut. It seems so fun! Have you competed in Fetch? Thanks for being here! Brenna