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Can’t Find a Local Trainer? Here Are the Best Online Dog Sports Classes

Not able to find a trainer near you? Or want to do training from the comfort of your own home?

My personal favorite option is FDSA (Fenzi Dog Sports Academy). They offer live 6 week classes, 10 day Workshops, Webinars and On Demand classes. Another plus for their classes is that there is a strong FB Group community of trainers/owners that support and provide advice to eachother. Go through their course schedule, and I promise there will be a topic/class that would be interesting for you and your dog! Take the leap, you will get hooked 🙂

Types Of Courses

  • Agility
  • Obedience
  • Rally
  • Nosework
  • And so much more!

Registration Types

Okay, if you are looking to register, the next step is determining what type of subscription you get… Below are my personal opinions for how to choose the best fit for you.

The Gold Subscriptions are the most similar to an in person class. Every week the trainer will upload a class lecture (and videos), there will be “homework”. You will video your “homework” training session. And your Trainer will review your training session and give you individual and personalized advice, suggestions, and answer questions. No one is judging you if life get’s busy, or you are unable to do your “homework”. But to get the most out of the subscription you want to stay engaged and on top of the lectures and homework weekly. Also Gold subscriptions have limited seats, so they do sell out (and fast) for popular classes. If you are interested in a class, make sure to set a timer for the Date and Time of registration – and be ready to click Enroll!

The Bronze Subscription are best if you want to take the class casually. Maybe you really want to learn the content at your own pace, or keep the course in your library for reference. You do not get to submit any training videos, or recieve individual feedback from the instructor. But through the class forum you can view the videos and responses of the Gold students. So if someone has a dog with similar personality or questions/issues you face, it can be helpful to see how the trainer addresses it through following along. Majority of the time there are also dedicated class Facebook Groups, so sometimes Bronze students use that as an area to submit their training videos – feedback may be from a Teaching Assistant (TA) or fellow classmates, you will not get Instructor feedback. There are unlimited Bronze seats, so you can register at any time, and at $65 per class it is a steal of a deal!

Screenshot taken Sept 2022

What to Expect

The Fenzi Dog Sports Academy facebook page has a video on what to expect from the online class – check it out!

FDSA Facebook Video

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Can’t Find a Local Trainer? Here Are the Best Online Dog Sports Classes Looking for a Nosework Trainer? Start With NACSW’s Certified Directory Agility Training at Home: Activities to Try Before Your First Class

Looking for a Nosework Trainer? Start With NACSW’s Certified Directory

NACSW (often referred to as the “gold standard” for nose work) has a very robust Education Division that provides links directly to their certified instructor directory.

If you aren’t about to find a Nosework trainer from the Event & Trainer Map, you can search the NACSW Directory, they have hundreds of certified instructors in their Directory (https://k9nosework.com/find-an-instructor-or-class/)

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Favorite Gear For Nosework Nosework / Scent Work Nosework at Home: Easy Activities to Start Training Today

Agility Training at Home: Activities to Try Before Your First Class

Are you curious if your dog will like this sport?

Agility is a fast pace, fun activity to do with your dog! Below are some suggestions on how to get a taste of Agility at home, and see if it is something you might want to pursue further.

Puppy owner: Your dogs development and safety is important, doing agility jumps is something you don’t want to start with your puppy until they are over 12 months of age. But you can do the same activities with the bar on the ground.

Toys

Place Table

Okay, so this isn’t a ‘fun’ toy, but an essential training item! And it can be fun for your dog, because he will get treats when on it. 🙂 The Klimb or Cato board is foundational for most dog trainings activities. Each of the product websites have great video’s on how to train the variety of different uses for the boards.

Obstacles

The obstacles are what make Agility fun to watch!

For beginners and casual ‘for fun’ activities you can purchase off of Amazon. But the quality of their hoops and tunnels is very flimsy. If you have a sensitive dog using flimsy equipment that snaps or falls apart while in use can be a horifying experience, and may turn your dog away from the sport. Instead of the cheap “Agility Set”s on Amazon, I would recomend the Cone Hurdles on the right. They can be used to make jumps (of varying heights) or the cones can be used alone for training tricks, commands like “around”. I found the set was good quality and versitile in use (even after we moved away from training Agility.)

Serious about Agility?! If you want quality Agility gear, purchase from a website like J&J (which provide competition quality equipment). The tunnels can be $300-$500 and each jump ~$100.

Another option, if you are saavy at DIY, is building your own jumps with PVP pipes.

Lotus Ball

For some dogs playing tug with your owner is just as rewarding (or more) than food. In agility toys are often used as a reward because they can be thrown as a reward to the location where the dog should run (for distance skills). If your dog is food motivated like mine – try out this toy, it can be ‘loaded’ with treats and thrown like a toy.

*items shown are products I have personally purchased. If you purchase through these links, thank you!, it helps support the website

Games

Games are a great way to build your dog’s drive, practice focus, and grow the owner/handler and dog bond! Your pup should know a couple foundational commands before starting Agility. Your dog will run off leash, so a good Recall (or “Come”) is important. And Crate Trained; they should be able to remain in the crate calmly while you are sitting close by. Ideally they can remain calm in the crate when you are out of sight as well.

“Feet”

This game teaches your dog to put his feet on a target location with a (farm) feed bowl, the skill can then be transferred to flat and smaller objects. In agility it can be useful to give you dog an ‘end’ point. e.g. he is running out of a tunnel and by sight and/or command and you want him to keep driving forward, the bowl can be used as that ‘stopping’ point.

View product on Amazon

For this activity you need a bowl (like this one, suitable for large dogs). Or choose something similar from home that has rubber/non sliding bottom and non slip rim. The object also needs to be study enough for your dog’s weight.

  1. Prep – Grab some treats, clicker (if desired), and put the Bowl upside down on the ground
  2. Lure your dog with the treat in-hand so that your moves forward and stands with his two front paws on the bowl.
  3. When the two paws hit the bowl, use the Clicker or marker word (e.g. “Yes!”) and feed the treat.
  4. To get him off of the bowl throw a treat into the ground next to you
  5. When your dog is getting onto the bowl consistently use the marker word (“Feet” or your word of choice) before he gets onto the bowl
  6. Rinse and Repeat!
  • To increase the distance, after he gets on the bowl for his treat, try throwing the ‘reset’ treat further away from the bowl.
  • Also vary your location, step by step move further away from the bowl. Keep with the marker word (“Feet”) and continue to pay him his treat at the bowl.

Links

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Lure Coursing at Home: How to Practice Before Your First Event Agility Nosework at Home: Easy Activities to Start Training Today

Lure Coursing at Home: How to Practice Before Your First Event

Are you curious if your dog will like this sport?

While you don’t need formal training, these at home activities will get your dog excited at home or for the upcoming trial.

Toys

Flirt Pole

Just like those dangly toys for cats, dog’s love to chase prey as well. To start out I used one of his favorite soft toys, and attached it to the end of the pole. It quickly became one of his favorite activities. When we finished, I kept the pole and the toy hidden away, to keep the ‘excitement’ of getting to play with it. And it works, my dog’s face lights up when I bring out the pole!

If you are going to a FastCAT trial, add a plastic bag to your existing toy at the end of the elastic rope. Play the same ‘keep away’ game, and make sure you add opportunities for your dog to catch the toy & bag. If your dog is already in love with the game of chase with the flirt pole, you can just use the plastic bag if you want to get some practice in before an upcoming trial.

Sheepskin Tug Toys

Instead of the ribbons that come standard on the flirt pole, try tapping into their inner prey drive and swap it for a sheepskin toy. My dog goes wild for it – gleefully happy when catching it, and whipping his neck and and forth to “kill” it. Our sheepskin toy is the ‘special’ toy that goes with the flirt pole.

Home Lure Coursing

Money cannot buy the look of joy on your dog’s face when they are running through a field chasing a bunny, and the floppy tongue smile of an exhausted dog. Oh wait, for about $500 you can! You can purchase a ‘home’ lure coursing set up to tire your dog out when and where ever you want. It is on my wish list, because I know Kai would _love_ it!

If you purchase through these links, thank you!, it helps support the website

Games

Games are a great way to build your dog’s drive, practice focus, and grow the owner/handler and dog bond!

Building Foundational Skills

Chasing a lure is great fun for the dog, but it can also be an opportunity to teach or practice skills like “drop” or a release cue, like “chase” or “get it”.

  • Drop It – Once your dog catches the lure, practice a cue for releasing the toy. Make sure the lure/toy is stopped. By freezing the movement the toy becomes boring (because it “died”), and when the dog releases give a treat and/or praise. If you dog is very motivated by the game, just the action of restarting the play will be reward enough. When the dog is quickly letting go, start adding the verbal cue of your choice, like “drop it”.
  • Chase – If your dog loves the flirt pole or lure run, they are probably bouncing off the walls to get it lure. Adding a cue to when it is OK to go and chase will help build your dogs impulse control. Keep the toy steady in your hand/away from where he can steal it. If he is jumping or acting crazy, waiting him out until he becomes still (a stand or a sit). Once he is still, say the release cue word (e.g. Get It) the same time you start the lure/flirt pole toy. You can vary it up, but adding longer pauses before giving the cue.

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Agility Training at Home: Activities to Try Before Your First Class Lure Coursing Nosework at Home: Easy Activities to Start Training Today

Favorite Gear For Nosework

Getting ready for your first trial, or looking to spice up your gear?! Below are some of my favorites and why!

For the companies that provide affiliate links, I use them to help support growth of this site, so if you purchase through a link, thank you!

Harness

Wearing different gear when learning and performing in dog sports helps the dog context switch, and know what their “job” is. ie, I am in my Nosework harness, I know that I am going to be doing some sniffing.

Harnesses are popular search attire for activities when your dog is leading the way. If your dog already wear’s a harness as their normal attire, you might want to purchase a different one, with different straps or pressure points (so it feels different).

This type of harness is popular for nosework. It is easy to put on / take off. The first link is the one Kai is wearing in the title picture, it has velcro sides where you can purchase a velcro patch to add your dog’s name. It was purchased back in June of 2021, and it looks like they have made an additional strap between the chest and belly strap in the latest version).

The second link is a favorite for my brother’s dog. It has thicker straps (no velcro), but has lasted them 4 years and counting!

Leash / Long Line

In nosework the dog is guiding the way, so you want to provide independence and slack to move freely. (And no, you cannot use a flexi-lead). There are many different types of material, thinkness, and length depending on what suites you and your dog. I started with a nylon leash, but found it was too think and dirt and debris would get stuck on it. Popular choices are biothane and leather.

Regarding length, I tried a few and my personal sweet spot was 20ft. Many people also end up in the 10′ – 15′ range.

My current favorite long line is made of biothane material from the company Lambwolf Collective. Biothane has a nice feel, light, easy to clean, waterproof, and doesn’t tangle (much). If you are looking for other brands, colors or sizes there are also many options on Amazon and Etsy.

Link to Purchase

Treat Pouches

I found this at my local doggie boutique store, and has been my go-to bag! The middle section is held together with a magnet, so it is very easy to open and close. And It has 2 pockets, so I have a place to put my doggie bags. My only wish is that it was easier to clean the bag.

As of writing, the item is not in stock in amazon – so be on the look out at your local shops 🙂

Which led to this other type of pouch. I also heard good reviews for this type of pouch because it is easy to clean and versatile because you can hold wet treats as well. I use it as a ‘backup’ because I found it not as ‘easy’ to reach in and out of this bag, and I liked having the extra pocket for doggie bags

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Looking for a Nosework Trainer? Start With NACSW’s Certified Directory Nosework / Scent Work Nosework at Home: Easy Activities to Start Training Today

Nosework at Home: Easy Activities to Start Training Today

Are you curious if your dog will like this sport?

Nose work (also called scent work) is a great activity for all dogs. Young or old, insecure or bold! If your dog like’s to use their nose (and what dog doesn’t!?) they will probably like this sport!

For newcomers to dog sports, this is a great one to try, as the two largest organizations (NACSW and AKC) have nationwide coverage, and it is pretty easy to start out at home and see if this will be something to pursue further.

(Outside of performance events, nosework activities are great for providing your doggo with mental exercise. The activities are also great when there is bad weather, or if you are feeling under the weather! It keeps your dog exercised without exerting a lot of (human) energy.)

Toys

Snuffle Mat

Link to Purchase *

Snuffle mat’s are made from felt and have lots of nooks and crannies to fit treats or kibble. Try using the snuffle mat for dinner, instead of the normal bowl. My pup is usually more excited about dinner when he needs to search for it. For a DIY version, lay out a flat towel, and start rolling the ends, drop kibble into the cracks every couple turns, after it is all rolled up, lay it on the ground for your dog to unravel. (if it is too easy, try tying the ends into a big knot or adding some knots for complexity)

Puzzles

Puzzle games are also a great way to feed treats or kibble (I usually like to add both to increase excitement). There are ranges of difficulty; start with a low or intermediate, and work your way up. If your budget allows, alternate the puzzles; your dog is smart and doing the same puzzle day after day will be too easy.

Link to Purchase *

Box in a Box

Save those amazon boxes! And even better, those boxes that ‘slide’ open. Just like those russian stacking dolls. Make the equivalent from boxes you have around your home. Start with the smallest box and put in some super tasty treats, put that into a larger box, and then into an even bigger box. Don’t expect to reuse these items… Sometimes the fastest way to the treats is doggy destruction!

*All items shown are products I have personally purchased on Amazon. If you purchase through these links, thank you!, it helps support the website

Games

Games are a great way to build your dog’s drive, practice focus, and grow the owner/handler and dog bond!

“Get It”

“Get it” is an interactive game that stimulates the dogs prey drive and is a good building block for obedience and focus skills. Your dog will learn:

  • a cue for how this treat will be delivered
  • gives your dog an OK to get a treat on the ground
  • and it serves as a ‘reset’ for training work

Use your cue (Get It), pause, then do a gentle underhand treat throw. They will run to pick up the yummy moving treat. If your dog tracks the treat well, try throwing further at higher speed. End state goal is for your dog to understand that “Get It” means there is a treat about to be thrown. Your dog will likely run very quickly to go after it.

  • To really stretch his legs, throw it in one direction, and after he picks it up, cue and toss it in the opposite direction.
  • If you have a smaller dog and they aren’t tracking the treat in the air well, try throwing it bowling style closer to the ground.

“Find It”

This is a great game to play around the house – in essence you hide a treat around the house, and your dog uses his nose to sniff it out.

  1. Gather up a handful of treats.
  2. Keep your dog in a sit/stay or hold onto his collar and place the treat a few feet away.
  3. Say your cue (“Find It!”, “Where Is It?”, or your cue of choice) and release the dog to get the treat!
  4. Once get gets it – partake in his joy for playing the easiest game ever! “YAY!”
  5. The next time place it a little further away but still a place where he can see your hand place it (corners or behind an object is good), saw your cue and let him free to find the cookie!
  6. Repeat with greater and greater difficulty.

My dog doesn’t have a great “stay” when I am out of line of sight, so when we play I put him in his kennel and hide the treat or treats around the room. Open up the kennel, “Find it!” and he is off sniffing!

This video also gives a great description for the game and steps for a dog new to the game.

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