Training Games Learning Lab is a four-hour, people-only workshop for trainers, handlers and curious learners who want to sharpen their teaching skills without working directly with dogs.

Using tabletop training games (inspired by Genabacab and PORTL) participants will practice the same skills that matter in animal training: setting clear criteria, observing behavior, marking accurately, delivering reinforcement thoughtfully, adjusting when the learner is confused, and building behavior one clean step at a time.

Because the learner is a person and the “behavior” is part of a game, participants can slow the process down, switch roles, make mistakes, and feel what it is like to be both teacher and learner. This makes the workshop useful for understanding shaping, frustration, and the difference between a training plan that looks good on paper and one that actually helps the learner succeed.

This workshop is especially useful for anyone who teaches dogs, trains sports behaviors, coaches handlers, teaches group classes, or wants to better understand how small training choices affect learning.

No dogs attend this workshop. The focus is on human skill-building through structured training games, discussion and practice.