(The next Super Tricks class is on Mondays at 6:00pm starting January 16, 2023. Don’t miss out! Email [email protected] to secure your spot.)
Most people and their pups come to us to address all the common puppy problems – biting, chewing, peeing in the house, jumping on people, etc. – in our highly-regarded Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Manners classes. But training your dog doesn’t have to stop at relief from your problems.
We interviewed Fur and Feather Works trainer, Heather Christian, on her experience teaching Super Tricks class. Read on to find out how teaching tricks can take your relationship with your dog to the next level:
Heather, will you start by telling us about the dogs you have at home? I have two dogs, both Siberian Huskies. Timber is a 2-year-old boy and Willow is a 1-year-old girl.
Do Timber and Willow have favorite tricks? Timber and Willow LOVE tricks! Timber loves “show me your tummy” and “reach for the sky.” Willow loves anything she can jump on or through; she has one mean hoop jump!
What do you love about teaching Super Tricks class? So many things! First, I love to see people having fun with their dogs. Tricks aren’t things your dog has to learn, so there is no pressure and the students are able to relax and enjoy their dogs more. I also love working with the students to figure out how their dog is going to learn each trick. There are so many ways to teach a trick, and it’s a matter of determining how your dog will understand it best. That helps the bond grow between the dog and the human, because people learn to read their dogs better and understand how they learn. Tricks help to build trust and confidence and I love to see that.
What is different about teaching Super Tricks as opposed to teaching Basic Manners? In Basic Manners we are changing dog behaviors that are not fun to live with as humans. We take pulling on leash, jumping up to say hello, barking for what they want, etc. and we show the dog what we’d rather they do instead, so we can live together happily. I love helping people teach their dog manners so they can enjoy each other’s company, and we make learning manners fun. But when it comes to tricks, we aren’t asking them to stop doing dog things. We’re asking them to show us what they’ve got! It brings out a different level of joy and enthusiasm in both dogs and their people.
See examples of the tricks your dog could learn and the fun you could be having together in this highlight video from past Super Tricks students and Fur and Feather Works trainers:
The next Super Tricks class will be on Mondays at 6:00pm, starting January 16, 2023. If you’re ready to grow your communication and relationship with your dog in Super Tricks class, EMAIL US to learn more!
