Virtual AKC Fit Dog Level 1 Group Class
Six-Week Course
First Live Class: Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 7 pm CT
TAUGHT BY? Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA, Level 3 AKC FIT DOG Instructor
CLASS START DATE AND TIME? The first class starts Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 7 PM Central Time (course classes run every Monday for six weeks straight at 7 PM central time.) Graduation day is Monday, February 10th, 2025 at 7 PM central.
You may submit your assessment at any time after class ends. There is no deadline for submission. These dates for those attending live classes only.
LOCATION? Virtual over Zoom and our online course platform - anyone can attend anywhere in the world!
COST? $150 per dog for the six-week course (six 1-hour virtual live Zoom classes plus access to our pre-recorded video course and the Zoom class recordings) - limited to ten dog/owner teams.
Not financially available to you? Please read about our scholarship for senior dogs (dogs 8 years or older) that covers this course. Dogs must meet all usual class pre-requisites and be healthy with no significant prior injuries to join, even if awarded a scholarship.
PRE-REQUISITES? Your dog should be familiar with puppy foundations or basic obedience skills. Dog and human students must know about training with treats using luring, capturing, and shaping and be able to focus during class. Because this class is virtual, reactive dogs who are not owner-handling reactive/aggressive are welcome to join us!
PLEASE NOTE: This class IS NOT for dogs in need of rehabilitation or physical therapy. This class is for healthy dogs with no significant prior injuries.
Does this count towards my dog’s AKC Fit Dog Title?
YES! But the AKC requires that you attend virtual classes live with your dog or submit recorded videos of you and your dog doing the exercises in the course for instructor feedback each week to make sure your dog was actually taught the skills.
What Is AKC Fit Dog?
The AKC FIT DOG program, developed by the American Kennel Club and taught by AKC approved Fit Dog instructors, is all about fun and fitness for dogs and their owners.
During our six-week AKC Fit Dog virtual courses, you'll learn proper form and safety while doing various fitness exercises to improve your dog's balance, flexibility, stamina, and overall body fitness. Not only will these exercises help prevent future injuries, but some also double as cute crowd-pleasing tricks!
Our training techniques are all based on positive reinforcement, so both you and your dog can enjoy the process of getting in shape together. Plus, attending our virtual Fit Dog course makes your dog eligible for points towards their AKC Fit Dog titles too!
Virtual AKC Fit Dog Level 1 Group Class Modules & Taught Skills
How Does Virtual Dog Training Work?
How this virtual course works and what it comes with:
You will have access to all course content virtually. You will receive detailed pre-recorded example videos that demonstrate proper form for each exercise, and comprehensive instructional videos on how to train your dog in the skills. Additionally, an audio option is available for all written content, so you can listen to your lessons each week instead of reading.
Participate in one live Zoom group class each week for six weeks straight and learn the skills from each week's module as it is released. During these live classes, you will get live feedback from your instructor and train together with others. All these Zoom classes are recorded so, you can watch them if you miss a live class.
Post your own homework videos in the private course discussion boards or email them privately for feedback from your instructor throughout the six week course.
At the end of the course, you and your dog will be virtually assessed to determine if your pup has learned the skill well enough to move on to the AKC Fit Dog Level 2 course.
Required Items For Fit Dog Level 1:
Are you ready for class? To make the most out of this equipment-heavy course, it's crucial to have the right gear for safety and best outcomes. Plan ahead and order your items in advance so you're well-prepared when class begins.
We hear you - dog fitness equipment can be expensive. Our curriculum will be sure to teach you how to safely use the equipment in a variety of ways to improve your dog's fitness for years to come. After all, you wouldn't buy a fitness bike only to use it once, right? The same principle goes for our course. So think of it more like purchasing fitness equipment to use for years to come - not just for this course.
Our equipment list (below) outlines when each item is needed, so you can create a purchase plan that works for you.
Balance Pad XL Size - any color. Dogs can however, see blue well. (Needed by week #1.)
*used heavily in class* Blue-9 Klimb Set with Safety Plugs, Cato board, non-slip training platforms (you will need a sit and stand one if you opt for this option), or your own non-slip surface platforms (you will need a sit and stand one if you opt for this option)
Medium to large dogs will benefit from having two Klimbs for the tuck sit, fold back down, and kick back stand exercises so the dog can lay and stand naturally on a raised platform. These behaviors can also be trained on the ground if you cannot get two platforms for class. Other training platform brands for dogs that are no more than a foot tall can be used, but your instructor will have two Klimb platforms and they will be used to show various Klimb modifications for different exercises through out the course. (Needed by week #1.)Klimb Traction Mat or yoga mat big enough to cover your platform to make it non-slip. You can cover any slippery surfaces in grip tape instead too. (Needed by week #1.)
Non-slip surface for practice on (ex. carpet, rugs, yoga mats, rubber flooring, etc). Absolutely no hardwood, lino, tile, or sealed concrete. No exceptions. This is for your dog’s safety.
Two Rubber Feed Bowls (4-quart), a round concrete garden paver, or a grippy raised target for pivot (Needed by week #2.)
Regular well-fitted flat collar or Balance Harness (Needed by week #1.)
Regular 5 to 6-foot leash (Needed by week #1.)
High-Value Treats (we recommend CloudStar Chewy Tricky Trainers or Sojo’s Simply Treats) (Needed by week #1.)
Optional Items:
Four, Six, Eight, or Twelve Cavaletti Poles for Dogs
Four cavaletti is the minimum required and you can make your own at home instead of purchasing. Poles should be set no higher than two inches off the ground for our purposes for this class. Keep in mind, you can skip this item because it isn’t on the assessment, BUT there is a live class with heavy cavaletti use during week three. So, it is recommended you get a set, but you can make do if it just not affordable for you. (Needed by week #3.)Low profile dog bed or mat (Needed by week #1, especially if you opt out of purchasing platforms.)
Klimb Short Legs (good for shorter dogs who struggle to get onto the full-height Klimbs and can be used with the Klimb to create a wobble board for the obstacle courses.)
*Note: This class is taught using positive reinforcement-based methods. For safety, no prong/pinch collars, choke chains/slip leads, or e-collars (stim/shock) will be allowed in class. When using the fitness equipment, dogs should have either a regular flat collar or a well-fitted harness that does not restrict movement.
About Your Trainer:
Lauren Tsao has years of professional hands-on experience working with a variety of dog training cases from puppy training to dog aggression using positive reinforcement-based training methods to get results and foster desirable behavioral changes. Lauren has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare, which she applies to her work with animals and their owners. Additionally, she’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), AKC Approved Level 3 FIT DOG Instructor, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC), and Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI). She was voted Mississippi’s #1 Positive Dog Trainer by SniffSpot in 2022. Read more about her here.
