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 🙂 ) |
Hi Silvia is it too late to join?
No, you can still join! 🙂
Hi Silvia! I was a part of your foundation class this year. I am just wondering if it is to late to join this class now? 🙂
You can still join!
Hello. Is it too late to join as an auditor?
You can still join!
Hi Silvia,
Is it still possible to join as a repeater and “advanced” student? I think Jin and me needs still to work on different exits and I would be glad to get some comments or advices from you.
Greetings Cindy
Yes, it’s still possible to join. The class is on break at the moment though.
Hi Silvia,
Do you know when you will be running your next RC class please?
Hm, probably February/March.
Hi Silvia, If you wanted both a running contact and 2o2o, which is better to train first? and at what point would it be okay to start training the other one without threatening to lose or change the first one in the process? :s
You can start with both, but only do 2on2off on a box/small platform and RC on carpet and then plank. You can add 2on2off to a plank/DW as well once you are working on RC on low DW. So RC first on DW as such and then add a stop as well.
Hi Silvia, since I was thinking to sign up also my border collie for the online running class, I’d like to know weather is too late or not. Thanks
It’s still possible to join yes -- till class goes on till mid-December and we’re only at lesson 2.
Hi, is it still possible to join your RC online class?
Not yet 🙂 The registration for February class starts on January 11, so you can only register from that date on. See you in class!
Thank you for fast reply
I have a miniature poodle, and I started RC 1 year ago, but she does not understand:-( I have your DVD, and we tried to do it that way, but i think we have to start over with your online class
Oh, yes, she should understand by now, so we will see what to do to help her -- you will just post what you have at the moment and then we’ll decide how to proceed.
Hi Silvia,
from May on I have 10weeks holiday, so time to train yeah 😀 I will probably be able to arrange 3x DW training a week. Do you think it would be enough time, 10weeks 3x a week, to get from where we left to complete RC on DW? And then after june once a week AF, hopefully get AF in a couple weeks done?
(I am thinking about doing handling foundations at the end of April, and then graduates to have your coaching on our RC in may/june)
Thanks!
Well, you know it’s hard to predict things, but normally it should be enough yes. Especially if you can do some work on a mat till then.
Yes I understand. Well we will do our best and see what we get! 🙂