The live Webinar has now passed. But the full recording of the presentation and Q & A session will be available to March 6.
Price: $20 Dumbbell Obedience Club Members | $25 Non- Members – sign up today and receive a link to the recording.
Rewatch: After the seminar, registered participants will receive two weeks of access to the webinar to watch at their convenience.
Learn Calm Holds & Fast Focused Retrieves with Shade Whitesel
Do you watch sport dogs retrieve dumbbells in the obedience ring with disbelief? Like, how do they convince the dog to do that?
Or, if you are training this complicated skill, do you watch your own dog chomp the dumbbell like a beaver in front of you? Or throw it at you? Or when you throw it, they wander to the other side of the training area?
I can definitely help you out with all of that.
Teaching calm holds and fast retrieves is my specialty! I love the problem solving for each team and I love teaching handlers to listen to what their dog is saying. When we acknowledge how hard a skill this is for dogs, and do less reps, and easier reps, we progress fast and consistently.
Can’t wait to see you!
Shade Whitesel
Learn Core Retrieving Skills
- Grab
- Hold with chin cue
- Hold for toy
- Proofing hold with toy or food
- Moving hold/coming into front
- Coming into front from angles
- Pickup fast
- Come back fast
- Pickup moving into front
- Various pickup angles
- Stay in basic position while object is thrown
- Speed to the dumbbell
- Putting the chain together
About Shade
From the age of four, I knew I wanted to be a dog trainer (or so my mother tells me). My childhood was filled with teaching our family dog tricks, including jumping over bushes and the swing-set, and organizing neighborhood dog shows for a dime.
After earning my BA in English from The College of Wooster in Ohio, I bought my first German Shepherd and fell in love with the breed. This fascination led me to Schutzhund, a breed test for German Shepherds, and competitive dog sports. Naturally, I began teaching lessons to other dogs and their humans.
In 1994, I took the plunge and made dog training my full-time profession. My journey included roles as a kennel manager, veterinary technician, and dog groomer, along with attending numerous seminars and workshops to hone my skills. Today, I actively compete in Schutzhund and AKC obedience with my dogs, and I teach handlers how to play with and train their dogs to navigate this complex world. My expertise includes solving behavioral issues, including aggression.
I am passionate about working and sporting breeds and believe in clear communication between dogs and their handlers. Dogs have strong opinions and often communicate their understanding or frustration if we listen. My goal is to achieve “buy-in” from my canine companions, allowing me to adjust training plans in real-time and work “with” rather than against them.
As a clicker trainer, I believe in giving dogs the choice and controlling their access to reinforcement. This approach motivates the dog to choose the desired behavior. The lightbulb moment when a dog understands and repeats a behavior is incredibly rewarding. Respecting dogs as thinking partners in the learning process leads to a greater understanding of their actions and the development of strong, confident behaviors.
Over my 30-plus years of dog training, I’ve used various tools, from e-collars and prongs to treats and toys. Nowadays, I primarily use positive reinforcement and am committed to achieving high levels in IGP (Schutzhund) and AKC obedience with my personal dogs. Having competed at the IGP National level with my dog Reik, I eagerly anticipate what my latest puppy, Ion, and I can accomplish together.
Shade Whitesel
website: www.shadesdogtraining.net
Be sure to sign up on Shade’s Training Newsletter and check out her online and in person courses
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shade.whitesel
Shade also post / shares training content on her facebook page
Training Blog – https://shadesdogtraining.net/blog
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadewhitesel/
