Work your own dog around a trained practice dog and handler with access to our indoor training space, private fenced field, or both. You set the agenda: We are there to handle the practice dog, not to direct your session. We won’t coach you or weigh in on your methods; how you train is up to you. Our non-negotiables are safety and control: the dogs will not interact, and we need to be confident that you can safely manage your dog throughout the session.

The practice dog is useful because his behavior can be adjusted to fit your goals. He can remain calm and neutral, settle on a station, move at a moderate level, work indoors, work outdoors, or run and chase a toy at full intensity on the field. This allows you to practice anything from quiet settling and calm observation to field prep, movement, engagement, recovery, and focus around a known dog.

This setup can be useful for a variety of teams. Family dogs can practice real-life skills such as recalls, leash walking, settling, focus and responsiveness around another dog in a controlled environment. Sport dogs can practice field prep, warm-up routines, engagement, neutrality, transport to and from the field, entering and exiting the building, crate-to-work transitions, and working while another dog is active nearby. Reactive dogs who are ready for carefully managed setups can continue building neutrality, recovery, handler focus and predictable routines around a steady dog at a planned distance.

Practice Dog: Entire Facility gives you the most flexibility and environmental control. Depending on the weather, your dog’s needs and your training goals, you may work inside, outside, or move between both spaces. No other dogs will be booked on the property during your session, making this the best choice for dogs who need maximum control over which dogs are present.

When working on the fenced field, each dog may be able to work off leash within sight when appropriate. Indoor setups remain controlled and separated, using distance, stations, leashes, long lines, crates, gates, visual barriers or other management tools as needed.

FYI: during work, the practice dog may take brief reward breaks, usually about 30 seconds every 5 minutes, to stay happy and working well. Plan your reps around those natural pauses.

This is a controlled practice setup, not a coached private lesson. If you would like direct instruction, training feedback, or help developing a plan, please choose private coaching instead.