Stimulus control training is all about response to cues

For a behavior

1. The behavior occurs immediately when the cue is given.
2. The behavior never occurs in the absence of the cue.
3. The behavior never occurs in response to some other cue.
4. No other behavior occurs in response to this cue.

This means, for example, if I have trained the behavior, “Sit pretty,”:

1. When I say, “Pretty,” the dog immediately sits up with his front feet in the air.
2. He doesn’t ever do that unless I cue it.
3. He doesn’t do it if I cue something else like down or sit.
4. He doesn’t sit or lie down when I say, “Pretty.”

Saturday, April 22nd and Sunday, April 23rd, 9 am to 5 pm

Samantha Parsons is a dog trainer and dog agility enthusiast. Sam’s goal is to develop teamwork between the dog and handler through clear communication and positive experiences.  Sam leads with compassion and empathy in her work.

Working spots limited to 10 per day.

Cost:  $150 Per day working spot
To Register, Email:  FPACEvents@gmail.com
Location: Flying Paws Agility Club, 6695 N Bottom Road, Bloomington, IN 47404

Day 1:  General Stimulus Control:

Reinforcement Markers Review

• Food markers (from hand, room service, from ground)
• Toy (preplaced, tug from hand, thrown, placed behind the dog)
• Discrimination between different markers (food vs food, toy vs toy, food vs toy)

Reinforcement Markers with Agility

• Toy placement for independence (weaves, contacts, turning cues)
• Food for handler focus (Bypassing off courses/dog name for handler focus, soothing/arousal control)

Crucial Stimulus Control Prerequisites for Agility

• • Loose leash walking (dogs not pulling to enter rings etc.)
  • Start-line stays
  • Stopped contact / table faults & building duration for stopped behaviors
  • Control around reinforcement (when should the dog take the reinforcement, delayed reinforcement – dog doesn’t get rewarded in the ring but rather ring side etc.)

Day 2:  Stimulus Control During Agility Exercises (putting day 1 into practice):

• Tunnels – when to take and when not to take
• Dog obstacle preferences (tunnel, contact, weave “sucking”)
• Ring of fire exercises (pinwheel of jumps with tunnels on the outside of pinwheel- dog must take jumps and not tunnels until handler cues tunnels, basically a compare and contrast drill for tunnel suckers)
• Patience circles (just running with the handler without taking obstacles)
• Nose touches & handling (helps cue convergence, obstacle discrimination, threadle help)
• Sequence work and how to handle errors

Each session will be a full day of training.  Some will be lecture, and some will be hands-on with your dog.

We strongly recommend that people attend both days to get the most benefit out of the seminar.

Day 1 is required to attend day 2.  Day 2 will be a continuation, and use what was learned in day 1 within the agility environment.

Prerequisites:

Since day 2 will do some course work, attendees must have jump, tunnel and short sequencing experience.

About Samantha (Sam)

Samantha Parsons is a dog trainer and dog agility enthusiast. Sam’s goal is to develop teamwork between the dog and handler through clear communication and positive experiences, and leads with compassion and empathy in her work.

Her credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in the field of animal science, as well as over a decade in the sport of dog agility and dog training.

Some noteworthy accomplishments include:

• Qualifying for AKC national agility championships from 2012-2021 with three different dogs. In 2019, she was able to place 2nd place at AKC national agility championships in the preferred 12” class with her border collie Trio.
• She has completed personalized coaching with Sarah Stremming to improve her problem-solving skills with performance dogs.
• Currently, Sam is training and trialing a rescue, border collie mix named Mucho. In addition, she is training a young border collie, Zippo, for the sport of dog agility.

Event Hosted by:
Flying Paws Agility Club
6695 N Bottom Road, Bloomington, IN 47404
Website:  flyingpawsagility.com
To Register, Email:  FPACEvents@gmail.com

TNT – Timing N Techniques!

Friday, October 21st and

Sunday, Saturday, October 22nd from 9 am to 5 pm

Agility veteran Karen Lechner (Pawz4Success) loves teaching her students to be fair, clear, and consistent in training. The result is her students create confident dogs and handler teams that love the sport, performing with speed and accuracy!  With Karen’s instruction you will learn the techniques needed to be a successful handler.

Working spots limited to 10 per day (FULL); Auditing spots unlimited

Day One: Let’s Get Connected!
Day Two: Do You Have Commitment Issues?
Cost:  $200 per day working spot – Auditing spot $50 per day
To Register, Email:  FPACEvents@gmail.com
Location: Flying Paws Agility Club, 6695 N Bottom Road, Bloomington, IN 47404

DAY ONE:  Let’s Get Connected!

• Strengthen basic foundation skills and connection between you and your dog. Learn skills that will carry over to all your future training.
• Session will focus on positional cues, motion, focus forward, obstacle commitment, motivation, tunnel skills, verbal commands and much, much more.

Prerequisites: Dog must be at least 15 months old, and proficient on all obstacles, with sequencing experience.

DAY TWO:  Do You Have Commitment Issues?

• Improve your dog’s commitment to obstacles producing seamless and synchronized teamwork.
• Session will focus on maximizing your distance skills, learning to send and go, utilizing verbal commands and improving your dog’s commitment to a line/path.

Prerequisites: Dog must be at least 15 months old, and proficient on all obstacles, with full sequencing experience.

About Karen
In 1996, it all began for Karen. It was at that time that she purchased her first Labrador retriever, Cody. She started agility “just for fun”. After a few years she proudly became the sixth person in the country to earn a Master Agility Championship (MACH).

Since then, Karen has earned many placements and titles in both agility and obedience with several of her dogs; earning both obedience championships (OTCH) as well as agility championships (MACH). Karen currently competes in agility with her amazing partner Tag.

MACH SHR Rhumbline’s High Grade MXG MJS JH “Grady”
In 2011 Karen and Grady qualified to try out for and attended the AKC World Team tryouts in Minnesota, where they had some beautiful runs! In an arena full of border collies, Grady stood out, being the only Labrador to try out in the large dog division.

OTCH MACH3 SHR Rhumbline’s Pepsi With A Twist UDX11 OGM MXG MJG XF “Pepsi”
In 2012 Karen’s other Labrador, Pepsi, became the first female black lab in the United States to earn both her Obedience Trial Championship (OTCH) and Master Agility Championship (MACH). Karen and Pepsi have had the honor of being invited and attended three National Obedience Championship (NOC) events around the country.

MACH6 SHR Rhumbline’s Catch Me If U Can CDX GN JH MXS2 PDS MJS2 PJS MXF T2B2 WC “Tag”
Tag is currently Karen’s agility partner; earning multiple MACH’s and proving to be a fierce competitor. He has qualified and competed in 3 consecutive Westminster Kennel Club events, earning a spot in the 2020 finals. In addition, he continues to be a “Top 25 Labrador“, receiving two consecutive invites to the prestigious AKC Invitational and is currently ranked as the #1 MACH Labrador in the country.

Rhumbline’s Hot Off The Press “Newz”
Newz is Karen’s newest agility partner. At only 22 months old she is already showing great promise and sure to be another superstar of Karen’s.

Event Hosted by:
Flying Paws Agility Club
6695 N Bottom Road, Bloomington, IN 47404
Website:  flyingpawsagility.com
To Register, Email:  FPACEvents@gmail.com

Drills, Skills & Thrills!

Saturday, October 2nd and

Sunday, October 3rd, 9 am to 5 pm

Agility veteran Karen Lechner (Pawz4Success) loves teaching her students to be fair, clear, and consistent in training. The result is her students create confident dogs and handler teams that love the sport, performing with speed and accuracy!  With Karen’s instruction you will learn the techniques needed to be a successful handler.

Working spots limited to 10 per day; Auditing spots unlimited

Day One: Drills, Skills and Thrills
Day Two: Mastering Courses
Cost:  $200 per day working spot – Auditing spot $75 per day
To Register, Email:  FPACEvents@gmail.com
Location: Flying Paws Agility Club, 6695 N Bottom Road, Bloomington, IN 47404

DAY ONE:  Drills, Skills and Thrills
Session will focus on Serpentines, Threadles, Backsides and more.  Improve your handling techniques, and your dog’s understanding.

Prerequisites: Dog must be at least 15 months old, and proficient on all obstacles, with full sequencing experience.

DAY TWO:  Mastering Courses
Day two will put your skills to the test.  This session is aimed at addressing key handling skills and choices needed by teams of all levels.  If you attend day one, this will build on what you learned and help put it into practice.  Teams will be provided detailed feedback for improving their handling, with emphasis placed on clearer and faster handling execution.

Prerequisites: Dog must be at least 15 months old, and proficient on all obstacles, with full sequencing experience.

About Karen
In 1996, it all began for Karen. It was at that time that she purchased her first Labrador retriever, Cody.  She started agility “just for fun”.  After a few years she proudly became the sixth person in the country to earn a Master Agility Championship (MACH).

Since then, Karen has earned many placements and titles in both agility and obedience with several of her dogs; earning both obedience championships (OTCH) as well as agility championships (MACH). Karen currently competes in agility with her amazing partner Tag.

MACH SHR Rhumbline’s High Grade MXG MJS JH “Grady”
In 2011 Karen and Grady qualified to try out for and attended the AKC World Team tryouts in Minnesota, where they had some beautiful runs!  In an arena full of border collies, Grady stood out, being the only Labrador to try out in the large dog division.

OTCH MACH3 SHR Rhumbline’s Pepsi With A Twist UDX11 OGM MXG MJG XF “Pepsi”
In 2012 Karen’s other Labrador, Pepsi, became the first female black lab in the United States to earn both her Obedience Trial Championship (OTCH) and Master Agility Championship (MACH). Karen and Pepsi have had the honor of being invited and attended three National Obedience Championship (NOC) events around the country.

MACH4 SHR Rhumbline’s Catch Me If U Can CDX GN JH MXB2 PDS MJB2 PJD MXF T2B2 WC “Tag”
Tag is currently Karen’s agility partner; earning multiple MACH’s and proving to be a fierce competitor. He has qualified and competed in 3 consecutive Westminster Kennel Club events, earning a spot in the 2020 finals.  In addition, he continues to be a “Top 25 Labrador“, receiving two consecutive invites to the prestigious AKC Invitational and is currently ranked as the 4th Labrador in the country.

Event Hosted by:
Flying Paws Agility Club
6695 N Bottom Road, Bloomington, IN 47404
Website:  flyingpawsagility.com
To Register, Email:  FPACEvents@gmail.com

Drills, Skills & Thrills!

Saturday, October 2nd and

Sunday, October 3rd, 9 am to 5 pm

Agility veteran Karen Lechner (Pawz4Success) loves teaching her students to be fair, clear, and consistent in training. The result is her students create confident dogs and handler teams that love the sport, performing with speed and accuracy!  With Karen’s instruction you will learn the techniques needed to be a successful handler.

Working spots limited to 10 per day; Auditing spots unlimited

Day One: Drills, Skills and Thrills
Day Two: Mastering Courses
Cost:  $200 per day working spot – Auditing spot $75 per day
To Register, Email:  FPACEvents@gmail.com
Location: Flying Paws Agility Club, 6695 N Bottom Road, Bloomington, IN 47404

DAY ONE:  Drills, Skills and Thrills
Session will focus on Serpentines, Threadles, Backsides and more.  Improve your handling techniques, and your dog’s understanding.

Prerequisites: Dog must be at least 15 months old, and proficient on all obstacles, with full sequencing experience.

DAY TWO:  Mastering Courses
Day two will put your skills to the test.  This session is aimed at addressing key handling skills and choices needed by teams of all levels.  If you attend day one, this will build on what you learned and help put it into practice.  Teams will be provided detailed feedback for improving their handling, with emphasis placed on clearer and faster handling execution.

Prerequisites: Dog must be at least 15 months old, and proficient on all obstacles, with full sequencing experience.

About Karen
In 1996, it all began for Karen. It was at that time that she purchased her first Labrador retriever, Cody.  She started agility “just for fun”.  After a few years she proudly became the sixth person in the country to earn a Master Agility Championship (MACH).

Since then, Karen has earned many placements and titles in both agility and obedience with several of her dogs; earning both obedience championships (OTCH) as well as agility championships (MACH). Karen currently competes in agility with her amazing partner Tag.

MACH SHR Rhumbline’s High Grade MXG MJS JH “Grady”
In 2011 Karen and Grady qualified to try out for and attended the AKC World Team tryouts in Minnesota, where they had some beautiful runs!  In an arena full of border collies, Grady stood out, being the only Labrador to try out in the large dog division.

OTCH MACH3 SHR Rhumbline’s Pepsi With A Twist UDX11 OGM MXG MJG XF “Pepsi”
In 2012 Karen’s other Labrador, Pepsi, became the first female black lab in the United States to earn both her Obedience Trial Championship (OTCH) and Master Agility Championship (MACH). Karen and Pepsi have had the honor of being invited and attended three National Obedience Championship (NOC) events around the country.

MACH4 SHR Rhumbline’s Catch Me If U Can CDX GN JH MXB2 PDS MJB2 PJD MXF T2B2 WC “Tag”
Tag is currently Karen’s agility partner; earning multiple MACH’s and proving to be a fierce competitor.  He has qualified and competed in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Westminster Kennel Club event (making it to the finals in 2018 and 2020).  In addition, he continues to be a “Top 25 Labrador” earning him 2 consecutive invites to the prestigious AKC Invitational.

Event Hosted by:
Flying Paws Agility Club
6695 N Bottom Road, Bloomington, IN 47404
Website:  flyingpawsagility.com
To Register, Email:  FPACEvents@gmail.com