Running Contacts
August Running Contacts class is now open for registration - completely renewed and rewritten, with new DVD that comes with it!!
The changes are thanks to my puppy that can be a bit crazy at times, so I wanted to avoid doing real DW for as long as possible + avoid thrown and static toys as much as possible as she can be a bit wild picking those up! I've also made those changes because I like changes 🙂 , testing new things and improving things - LOTS of things were adjusted since 2002 when I started training RC - and many things changed since Running Contacts That Make You Smile DVD came out as well, so it was certainly time for new DVD and class material.
The major difference is that most work is done with no equipment and just a mat: working on turns, soft turns, straight exits and various handling before any DW work. The rest all stays pretty much the same, just that it goes much faster that way as the dog knows how to hit at full speed in all possible exit scenarios already before adding the dog-walk into the picture. This way you:
- shorten the whole process by focusing on understanding right from the start
- limit the work on equipment to the minimum by teaching it all on just a mat - meaning very little work on actual dog-walk needed
- eliminate the tossed toy phase, replacing it with just handing the toy to a dog, so it's much easier on their bodies - but still allows you to work with lots of speed well before adding a dog-walk into the picture
The idea is still the same, just the order is reversed a bit and made friendlier to young dogs and to people who don't have regular access to a dog-walk.
The class is appropriate for total beginners (from 7 months old on), retrains from 2on2off and all who have running contacts already (even if not trained with a mat), but want to work on various exits or any other aspect of RC - all the feedback is completely individual, so all levels are welcome. I will also publish all the lessons right at the start of the class, so you can continue from wherever you currently are.
Minimum age for this class is 7 months and the minimum equipment is now just the new DVD + a mat - a doormat or smaller (and later on an occasional access to a dog-walk, ideally one that can be lowered) and enough room (living room is enough for very first steps, but then you will have to that mat to a yard or park and work there).
This class is 14 weeks long (+2 weeks of a catch up break in between). Next round starts on February 12th, with registration opening mid-January. So at the moment, you can only join as auditor or repeater of August class - and then enter the classroom HERE.
Please note that only those who took this class with the SAME dog before qualify as repeaters!
Please make sure your are registered and logged in before you proceed to paying with paypal - this will ensure you will get your correct access automatically.| participant (includes a RC video download link) - 270 EUR / cca 315 USD |
| in case you already have the new (!!!) DVD, choose this participant option - 230 EUR / cca 270 USD |
| auditor/repeater/2nd dog - 180 EUR / cca 210 (DVD is not required for auditors, but is highly recommended) |
Here are some graduation videos of dogs from the previous class. I chose different sizes and only those who started from zero so you can see how far along they got in just 4 months:
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The classes you can join at the moment: Advanced Tricks, Beyond Foundations and the two Handling classes (all without time limitations – you can join and finish at any point). |
 Silvia Trkman is known for bringing every dog, from her first dog on, to the very top of the sport. Her dogs are known for great speed, tight turns, running contacts and long and injury-free careers. Silvia is in agility since 1992 and is– 3x World Champion (with two different dogs)
– 5x European Open winner, with 4 different dogs (Lo, La, Bu, Le)!!!
– National Championships podium and World Team member with every dog she’s ever had – National Champion for 22-times (with 5 different dogs of 3 different breeds) – World Team member for 19-times (mostly with at least two dogs at the time – sometimes four 🙂 ) |
i intend to sign up 2 of my dogs for the RC class. i do own the DVD and will watch it again before the class begins. My 8 yr old dog was trained to 2o/2o and was great until i tried (on my own) to switch her to a running. now it’s just luck if she even hits the contact on the AF or the DW. so now it’s been over a year with almost no Qualifying runs for us, since she always misses a DW or AF contact. I am thinking that i should withdraw her from competition, take the RC online class, then go back. How long can i expect to have her out of competitions before we try it again in that environment? We train at home, no classes, just us. We have no access to classes, just a private lesson every now and then. thanks, joyce
Maybe just use 2on2off for now, so you can keep trialing -- and then join the class, take the time it will take (it varies a lot, so hard to predict) and introduce RC to trials again when she is ready?
I’m thinking on joining the RC class but I live in a small apartment, would that be enough space to train? I started doing a little bit of plank work and what I realized is that she won’t miss any contact starting from the end of the plank or a table but she would miss many if i have her running from farther away (something impossible in a flat). I would only have access to a proper dog walk once a week for a very short period of time and can´t change the hight, the trainers choose for the day (never full hight though for beginners). Also, are you going to offer the buy 3 and get now free soon? 🙂 I missed the las one. Thanks!
You will need more room as that yes… Maybe you could train in a park? The special offer will be on again for Christmas 🙂
Sweet! Thanks for the info! I thought about the park, but can’t move a 3m long plank that easily… haha. Can’t wait for Christmas now! 🙂
Hi ,
When the sign up opens, will there be an option to buy the DVD with registration as a participate?
Yes. Well, to be exact -- participant option comes with a link to video download.
Thank you! We will wait for sign up to get the download all in 1. Can’t wait!
How long an wide must the plank required be? I have ordered my contact obstacles but wn´t arrive till the end of january 🙁
For a BC, 3.8m long plank would be minimum. Minimum DW width, can be wider. Max. 2cm thick.
What is DW? 🙁
Must it be a wooden plank or can i use that grass carpet for example?
DW is dog-walk 🙂 You can use carpet for flat work of course -- but you can’t raise carpet…
Ok, thanks 🙂
My contact obstacles will arrive by the end of january so i hope i can do it 😉
one more question. typically we don’t get a lot of snow, but if we have snow on the ground, can the plank/carpet be used on my driveway which is small pebbles. or on a thin layer of snow? i don’t know if the ground will be clear or not. seems like the dogs could get decent traction in snow.
Yes, both should be fine as long as it’s not icy or slippery of course -- depends on a type of a snow…
Hi!
As a working spot can I ask questions about my other dogs who I will be training on the side but not posting videos? Or only the only the working dog?
Thanks
Yes, you can ask questions for other dogs as well, only videos are limited to one dog only.
Hey Silvia, I have a new pup that will be 7 months in January. Would it make sense to do both the puppy AND the RC class with him?
Sure! He is old enough for RC, but some more tricks and conditioning never hurts!
How much does the class cost? I already have the dvd
It’s 180e then.
Hello Silvia, i have a question, is there problems of places in the inscription of this course?.
thank you
What do you mean? If it’s hard to get in? -- It’s not as spots are unlimited 🙂