Every dog owner has that thing — the one behavior that makes walks stressful, greetings embarrassing, or quiet evenings impossible. Maybe your dog lunges at squirrels like a sled dog auditioning for the Iditarod. Maybe "sit" only works when a treat is visible from space. Whatever the trouble, you are not alone — and you do not have to figure it out by yourself.
Bring Your Trouble — Leave With a Plan is a small-group, hands-on workshop offered by Bone-a-Fide Dog Training, LLC and led by professional trainer Kari. Unlike large-format seminars where you sit in the audience and take notes, this workshop puts you and your dog in the middle of the action. With a maximum of six dogs per session, every participant receives genuine one-on-one coaching within a supportive group setting.
What You Will Experience
Participants and their dogs gather in a circle or horseshoe layout — no stations, no waiting in line. Together, the group works through five core skill areas that form the foundation of a well-mannered dog:
● Building Calm: Learn settling exercises and how to reward calm behavior so your dog can think clearly before reacting.
● Foundations of Obedience: Strengthen (or introduce) foundation positions — sit, down, and place — as the building blocks for everything else.
● Developing Focus: Practice eye-contact games, name recognition drills, and "watch me" exercises that make you the most interesting thing in the room.
● Leash Handling Skills: Master proper leash grip, pressure-and-release technique, change of direction, and reward-zone positioning for stress-free walks.
● Addressing Jumping: Understand why dogs jump, learn the "four on the floor" concept, and practice teaching an incompatible behavior so greetings become polite.
The "Bring Your Trouble" Element
Here is what makes this workshop different: before you arrive, you identify two specific challenges you want to tackle. Maybe it is pulling on leash and jumping on guests. Maybe it is ignoring recall and barking at other dogs. Whatever your two troubles are, you bring them to the workshop, and Kari works with you individually — right there in front of the group — to connect your specific issues back to the foundation skills taught in the session. You will leave with a personalized action plan for each of your two trouble areas: a clear set of steps, drills, and techniques you can practice at home starting that very day.