"Your course is ideal for anyone from beginner through experienced freestyle trainers. The course is well organized with clear instruction and wonderful visual aids throughout.You are a top notch instructor as well as a brilliant trainer. As I have mentioned to you before, your contributions to dogs and their trainers is priceless and admirable."
--- WCFO Champion Diane Kowalski (Student)"I was brought to tears watching Michele and her "boys" in slow motion with their performance heeling demo set to music. I look forward to each lesson with great anticipation. What a terrific course this is."
--- B.Pfohl (Student)"I’ve never taken an online course before, and I wasn’t too enthusiastic about it—but I’m a convert!! It’s a GREAT way to learn. Michele is so organized in her presentation, and the supporting materials (videos, PDFs, etc.) are a terrific complement to the course."
--- Mary Leatherberry (Student)"....There is so much information, I find I keep reviewing to get the details. My dog has improved so much, I want to keep going and do more!!! I was reluctant to take an online course, now I recommend it to everyone..."
--- C. Sumner (Student)
SUMMARY
Let three-time international freestyle champion Michele Pouliot teach you to create show-stopping freestyle routines! Michele breaks down the process of creating a winning freestyle routine into easily-understood component steps—the same steps that she uses to create her own award-winning routines. In this course, you will learn how to train the building-block behaviors of excellent routines, how to select and integrate music that fits you and your canine partner, and how to put it all together for a performance setting. Demo the course now or Enroll!
DETAILED INFORMATION
Who should take this course?
Anyone active in the canine freestyle sport, preparing to participate in canine freestyle, or working to improve performance in both the technical and artistic aspects of beginner through intermediate level routines should consider this course. Canine freestyle is a judged sport in which canines and their handlers perform theatrical, choreographed routines to music.
Who is teaching?
The course is designed and taught by freestyle champion Michele Pouliot. Michele, with her dogs Cabo and Listo, is the winner of multiple national and international freestyle competitions, most recently the 2009 World Canine Freestyle Organization (WCFO) International Competition in Oklahoma, where three judges awarded perfect "10s" to Michele and Listo’s Hotel California routine.
Michele also won the 2008 Nationals, and both the 2007 and 2008 WCFO International Pro Stars. For the years 2007 and 2008, the WCFO also awarded Michele the Attila Challenge trophies for highest Artistic and Technical scores. In November 2008, Michele and Listo made WCFO history as the first team to receive perfect "10s" for both Artistic and Technical scores in the new Championship division of Perfect Dance Partners.
What is the course content?
View the course outline.
Demo the course now.
How often do classes start?
This course features rolling enrollment, which means you may start any time after you enroll. Enrollment takes place online. After you've completed the enrollment process, you will be given access to the course and can begin right away!
What prior experience or knowledge is required to take this course?
The course uses operant conditioning with a marker, or "clicker training," extensively. Participants should already be able to use this technology to put behaviors reliably on cue.
What else is required to take this course?
This course is conducted in English.
A computer with broadband Internet connection and a printer.
Either Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox (latest versions) installed.
Latest versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player.
What is the course format?
- This course has been designed for the online classroom of Karen Pryor Academy. The course makes extensive use of videos that have been prepared exclusively for this course. In addition to the classroom work, you will be given training exercises to complete with your dog. Your teacher will be available for consultation as the course progresses (see below for support details).
- Students proceed through the course at their own pace. The course has been designed to be completed in 8 weeks, but students have up to 12 weeks from their start date to complete the course. The 8-week design assumes that students are spending approximately 6 hours per week, including the time needed to complete training exercises. If necessary, students may purchase extended course time at a cost of $15/month.
- Students receive feedback and assessment as the course progresses. Assessment points that are integrated into the course remind students of their performance goals, and of how well they are achieving those goals. Progressing successfully through the training exercises with your dog is a clear indicator of how well you have internalized the principles and techniques taught in the course.
What type of student support is available?
- Three types of support are available—support from the teacher, support from peers, and technical support.
- The teacher supports students in the course through one-to-one support and through the group discussions that take place in the classroom.
- One-to-one support can occur via e-mail, phone call, or chat. If a student uses video, video review by the teacher is available if the student posts a private video to a site that the teacher can access via the Internet. (Limited to 1.5 hrs per student.)
- Group support occurs within the discussion forums provided through the course’s online classroom. The teacher actively monitors and participates in these forum discussions.
- Peer support is available to all students enrolled in the course via the online classroom tools.
- Technical assistance for course navigation, the online classroom tools, and administrative issues is provided through the KPA offices, via e-mail and phone.
What is the tuition and enrollment policy?
Tuition is paid with enrollment. Once enrollment is complete, tuition is nonrefundable. Please preview the course and/or review the course outline prior to enrolling.
Tuition:
- Regular tuition: $329
- Member of WCFO, CFF, MDSA, or PAWS2Dance: $285 (see below)
- Club Registration: 5 members of same club: $245 per person
- Please contact us for the enrollment code for discounted tuitions. You will need to provide the name of the freestyle organization and your membership number. You can email using the link above or call us at 800-472-5425, ext 3.
Does this course qualify for CEUs?
Yes!
The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) awards 22 CEUs.
The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) awards 15 CEUs.
Other
Course Outline (.pdf)
Course Demo (Online)
Register/Enroll
