Long-distance Running Contacts Class!
Hurry up, you can still enter March Puppy class only 'till end of March! Next puppy class probably starts in May or June, depending on number of participants, so let me know if you are interested!
And today, registration for Long-distance Running Contacts class is opening! This class will cover training running contacts from scratch, but also those, further in the process are more than welcome to join, I'm sure we can fill some holes there might have been in the training so far. You will all be posting videos of wherever in a training process you are as I think most of our participants have already done some plank work. The purpose of the class is to address the whole process step by step, giving you immediate feedback to your videos and offer problem solving when needed.
You will get 5 to-do lists, one every three weeks, so this class is 3 months and a half long, so that's enough time to get from a flat plank to a full dog-walk and also address the turns. To participate in this class, you need a plank, enough room (minimally 10m for smaller dogs, 15 for BC size) and a video camera. At last steps, you will also need an access to full size dog-walk, let's say at least two to three times a week (depending on how much in a hurry you are 🙂 ). If you're joining with a puppy, you will complete the process later on, but you're welcome to start off the right way with us if your puppy is at least 5 months for smaller breeds or 6 for BC size.
To audit, you don't need anything 🙂 As an auditor, you see all the videos and comments and can ask questions, but only participants post videos and get feedback on their videos.
Registration opens NOW and HERE. The first to-do list comes on 24th April.
Participant, price 150 EUR (210 USD)
Auditor, price 120 EUR (170 USD)
Once registered, you will get an access to RC classroom: please post your introduction there, telling your dog contact history (retrained or new to agility, how much plank work have you done etc.) etc. See you there!
Coming next : Agility Foundation class, covering mostly training and sequencing with cik&cap as foundations for great turns, distance work, sends and obstacle focus and foundations for fast, independent contacts and weaves.
I paid for one dog and can enter the classroom but I’m not sure how to pay for the second at half price. Thanks.
O.k., cool, I’ll send you PayPal money request for the second dog for half-price.
Ok thanks! I think I’m signed up for both dogs. 🙂 Can’t wait! It’ll be sooo nice to have some encouragement with running contacts as almost everyone at my club uses 2o/2o and no one seems to think running contacts are a good idea. I strongly disagree!
Yeah! More homework from Slovenia! : ) But what size plank. I know you say as thin as possible but what does that mean? I need to go to the lumber yard anyway next week, might as well get exactly what I should get for the contacts training too. Thanks! Bekka
Yeah, it’s never boring here! Let’s say 1 to 2cm thin, 45cm wide and 3m long if you’re getting the all-rounder 🙂 I have two planks, one that is very wide, but not long enough and another that is long enough but not wide enough for an easy start -- the measurements above would be something in between. Actually, if you have enough room for 4m long plank, I would just go for 4m. If you can use dog-walk down ramp, then you can use that one for your second plank and start with something wide and thin, but not necessary long. -- O.k., I better stop now, it’s getting complicated, but actually, what I wanted to say was that it’s not so much about the plank, you can use pretty much whatever you can find & fit in. For a start, even long carpet or those soft puzzle floor for kids works great.
Thanks! Will convert to ‘american’ measurements and see what they have. I’ll have a full sized dog walk by class. It won’t have slats on it tho’ since it was made for Nadac style trials. Hopefully that’s okay.
Can’t wait! Now to pick a beginner dog from the collection of volunteers. : )
bekka
I never noticed any difference on slats vs. no slats. I don’t have slats on my plank, but all our dog-walks have them, have never been an issue. But it could be that our slats are smaller and lower as some I’ve seen in US, I didn’t like those big ones at all! I’m sure they will all want their turn on a plank!
Oops, one more question. Does the plank need to be painted? Or coated with something non-slip?
OK, done now. Have to go to bed anyway!
Bekka
Yes, the best is if you paint it once, throw some fine sand on it when it’s wet, wait that it dries and then paint again.
Hi Silvia
I am currently participating in your long distance class with Puzzle, but am away on holiday at the minute.
I am very interested in this course for another of my dogs (actually Puzzles brother) who has already been taught running contacts, but who doesn’t really ‘get it’ and whom I would like to retrain.
Could you save me a place on this course please and I will pay when I get back from holiday later this week if that is ok? And I will also catch up on the long distance course after 3 weeks off ! 🙂
O.k., sure, would love to meet Puzzles’s brother too! Enjoy your holidays and send the courses when you’re back, we sure want to see more of crazy Puzzle!
Hello Silvia,
My dogs dont have any agility training foundation, and i dont compete with my current dogs, but will be competing with my next pup. do you think agility foundation is better for them and me to learn the drill of agility or we can do running course and agility foundation at the same time? we are having so much fun at your puppy class 🙂 Just wanna have more fun with them
thanks
Angela
Yes, it’s possible to do both, you don’t need any foundations for running contacts. You just need a plank and preferably a dog who likes to chase his ball!
Ok Silvia, then i will register for both courses. I have 2 dogs btw, so i need a paypal request for the 2nd dog
O.k., done 🙂
Hi. I’m in as an auditor for this running contacts class. Will def register for the agility foundation class as a participant.
THANKS! We love your classes!
🙂
Laura
Great! Shape is somewhat too young for contacts yes, but it’s good to have a plan and know what you’re doing 🙂 once you start it if you decide for RC of course!
Hi Silvia! I have just registered and paid for the running contact class but I can’t have access to the running classroom. Can’t wait to see it, that’s gonna be fun!
It should work now!
Ok let’s see that 🙂
I just joined the puppy class and can’t get into the classroom. Help please
It should work now. We sometimes need to do it manually, so you might be getting an access with some delay.