Adventure Class

Let your dog be your adventure guide! 

 
 

Adventure Class is a fun, outdoor course for you & your dog. Your dog’s interests are central to this course, building & boosting engagement through their approach to interacting with their world. Each class happens out in the wild, so you are closely observing their responses and allowing them to lead you, being guided by their preferences.


This means that we humans must learn about observing our dogs’ behaviours and recognising their choices. Doing this allows you to learn how to participate in their experience, through their lens, in their world.

 
Adventure Class is full! The next availability will be Winter 2023/24. Follow our blog and socials to keep up to date.
 


Class is more intense and not really an Adventure, technically. That’s because we have to practice the skills and learn the concepts. But the real magic will happen when you embark on Adventures, just you and your dog. What you both get up to will look quite different to class and be special to you.


 


There is a curriculum for each class. Your dog’s comfort is the most important achievement so how you progress through course content is individual.
The exercises are cumulative so are best practiced in sequence, but it’s not set in stone so you might decide to skip ahead or move on at your own pace.


You will have homework from each class for you to practice on your own Adventures. You are encouraged to practice as often as you can, to record your & your dog’s experiences, and discuss your progress.


 

Course Details

Adventures are what you make them, but at the very centre, is your dog and their interactions with their world. We can build a Team with them through our participation with them; that’s what Adventures are for!
 

When?


Adventure Class is on Sunday mornings, starting at 9am.


You will need to arrive at least 20 minutes before start-time to allow your dog to warm up and acclimate to the area.

 
Because Adventure Class is outdoors, we might have to postpone class due to weather conditions or other unpredictable factors. I have proposed ten dates, before the areas in which we work get too overgrown (hopefully)! We will run through the first eight and have two spare dates scheduled should we need to make up any missed classes.
 

Who?

This class is for dogs of all ages, as we will work within individual comfort levels only. However, because this class happens in a pretty busy public park, dogs who attend must be able and comfortable to work in such environments, with other class participants close by. We will give everyone as much space as possible to maintain everyone’s comfort and safety.

A good metric for joining this class is whether your dog is able to search for tossed food and then return to you (without you prompting them) for another food-toss, in different environments such as park land, woodland, close to human activity or traffic, and so on.

Similar to this video showing engagement games. Yours might not look quite so bonkers…we call Decker Crazy Boy for a reason…!

 
 

Dogs who might find these environments challenging will still benefit from Adventures, but perhaps not in a class situation.

It will likely take a couple of classes for each dog to get into their groove and we will monitor their comfort closely. Your dog’s behaviour is information, and we will be listening closely to them, giving them breaks and bringing them away as needed.


You are responsible for your dog’s behaviour. Your dog must be safe and comfortable in public space, and in environments that are hard to control. Dogs whose behaviour may pose a risk to safety of others or would inhibit the learning and enjoyment of other participants should not be brought to this class.

While there is plenty of space at this location, there will be lots of people and animals whose behaviour and proximity we can’t control. That must be taken into account when considering individuals’ comfort in class.

 
 

Where?


Adventure Class takes place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. 
Be aware of the park Dog Owner’s Code of Conduct and never allow your dog to cause a nuisance. We will not disrupt the natural environment and will not allow our dogs to pursue wildlife, approach any other person or dog, and will always scoop the poop.


 

How much? 


Adventure Class costs €200 for the course, which includes up to 8-10 classes.  

 

Adventure Class is full! The next availability will be Winter 2023/24. Follow our blog and socials to keep up to date. 

 

What do I need for Adventure Class?

 

  • Figure-8/Y/H harness (different names for essentially the same thing) with a strap that runs parallel along the dog's spine is important to provide support.  If you need other tool/s to better control your dog and keep them safe, that’s no problem, but while working, the Y harness will be engaged.
  • long line of no more than 5-10m
  • a range of food reinforcers; higher value rewards may be required given the high distraction area in which class is held
  • comfort items such as bedding, travel equipment, water & bowl, a coat if relevant, stuffed toys, towels and so on
  • first aid kit and we recommend that you take our Online Canine First Aid workshop too! 
  • you will need appropriate footwear, clothing and raingear for yourself too! 
 

What will we learn about in Adventure Class?


Class is more for you to learn how to approach Adventures with your dog. You will develop observation skills and understanding of the Adventure ethos so that you and your dog can enjoy Adventures together.  

You're the student; your skill & knowledge development will enhance your dog's experiences. You will have access to the course website with background information supporting the work you will do in class, and on Adventures with your dog.

An accompanying workbook will help to round out your knowledge, and record your experiences, tracking your dog's choices so you can apply this data to Adventuring together.

Course content includes:

  • observations
  • exploration & engagement
  • teaching skills
  • reinforcement strategies
  • environmental interaction games
  • BARKOUR! fun

Because you will have access to course instruction any time, anywhere, you can work at your and your dog's pace. If you miss a class, you can keep up and continue with practice. This is a flexible and accessible course with your dog, and their preferences, at its heart. 

 

Terms


Please review the AniEd Terms of Service here.

To take part in Adventure Class, you will be asked to agree to the following:

  • All dog training, including course activities, is participated in at your own risk.
  • AniEd, staff and trainers, cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any injuries or losses sustained during course activities.
  • You are responsible for your dog’s safety and behaviour at all times. It is recommended that you have adequate pet or household insurance cover for liability in the unlikely event of damage or injury, caused by or to your dog, to property or to a third party.
  • You know your dog best. Please do not put your dog in a position with which they will be uncomfortable, cause discomfort to anyone else, or in a situation where they may become injured.
    I will not be able to make those decisions for you because you are best suited to understanding your dog’s needs.
  • Scoop the poop. Please dispose of poop bags appropriately.
  • Please make sure that your activity, and that of your dog, does not disturb or unduly distress wildlife or disturb the natural environment.
  • Use PPE as needed. We will be working socially distanced, to maintain the dogs’ comfort primarily, but please wear a mask should you wish to or when in closer interactions with others.
  • This class and all the exercises within are dog-led, meaning that we will help dogs choose how they participate – it’s important that we ‘listen’ to our dogs!