Virtual AKC FIT DOG Level 1 Course
Fun Fitness with your Dog!
The AKC FIT Dog is a fitness class designed to build your dog’s fitness, flexibility, cardio, and confidence through various skills taught over 6 weeks.
Fun with Fitness! Learn how to teach your dog fitness exercises that increase coordination, focus and confidence!
6 Weeks of Fitness Skills! Including… Front Paw Targeting, Kick Back Stand, Pivoting with Rear Legs, and so much more!
Personalized Feedback - Not just another online course, videos submitted will get personalized coaching feedback to help you achieve your dog’s fitness goals
Online Classroom - Train from the comfort of home while still getting the community support of a classroom!
Points Towards Your FITDOG Title - This class counts towards AKC FITDOG Titles as an achievement for your great work!
$50 for 6 Weeks of Remote Classes ($150 Value!)
Taught by Ashley Badgley, AKC FIT DOG Instructor, AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Certified Canine Behavior Practitioner, Certified Trick Dog Instructor
FIT DOG Level 1
Here you can access all 6 weeks of the AKC FIT DOG Level 1 Class Content
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Join the community and learn how to get feedback on fitness exercises!
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Equipment for Class
This first video goes over the equipment needed for class and what they look like.
This first video goes over the equipment needed for class and what they look like.
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Safety considerations before you begin the FITDOG exercises with your dog.
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Marker Training
Marker Training will be used to teach your dog the upcoming skills in this FIT DOG Class
Marker Training will be used to teach your dog the upcoming skills in this FIT DOG Class
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Getting on the Platform
First step is getting your dog comfortable getting onto the platform that will be used for training. Take some time to make getting (and staying) on the platform a positive experience!
First step is getting your dog comfortable getting onto the platform that will be used for training. Take some time to make getting (and staying) on the platform a positive experience!
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Nose Touch
Nose Touch, teaches your dog to touch their nose to your open palm. This is a great skill for achieving proper form and a treat-free lure!
Nose Touch, teaches your dog to touch their nose to your open palm. This is a great skill for achieving proper form and a treat-free lure!
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Tuck Sit
The Tuck Sit skill engages your dog’s core and teaches them to sit while keeping their front limbs stationary and tucking their rear forward.
The Tuck Sit skill engages your dog’s core and teaches them to sit while keeping their front limbs stationary and tucking their rear forward.
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Cardio: Leash Walking
It is a good idea to warm your dog up before starting a training session. This week, we are starting with some leash walking. You can do this indoors or outdoors!
It is a good idea to warm your dog up before starting a training session. This week, we are starting with some leash walking. You can do this indoors or outdoors!
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Front Paw Targeting
For this skill, your dog learns to target just their front feet to a target while remaining in a neutral stand to develop front limb awareness.
For this skill, your dog learns to target just their front feet to a target while remaining in a neutral stand to develop front limb awareness.
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Shake a Paw
Shake a paw teaches your dog to target one of their front paws to your hand or another target, teaching independent limb awareness and improving balance.
Shake a paw teaches your dog to target one of their front paws to your hand or another target, teaching independent limb awareness and improving balance.
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Cookie Stretches Week 2
Introducing Cookie Stretches! Proper stretching can increase flexibility, increase injury prevention, and are a great way to cool down after fitness activities.
Introducing Cookie Stretches! Proper stretching can increase flexibility, increase injury prevention, and are a great way to cool down after fitness activities.
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Cardio: Platform to Platform
Our next warm up involves sending your dog from platform to platform as a cardio exercise, improve focus, and get them ready for new exercises!
Our next warm up involves sending your dog from platform to platform as a cardio exercise, improve focus, and get them ready for new exercises!
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Kick Back Stand
Kickback Stand engages your dog’s core as we teach them to kick their rear limbs back while keeping front feet stationary from a sitting position.
Kickback Stand engages your dog’s core as we teach them to kick their rear limbs back while keeping front feet stationary from a sitting position.
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Spin Left and Right
Spin is a skill that increases flexibility through the spine and develops independent limb awareness.
Spin is a skill that increases flexibility through the spine and develops independent limb awareness.
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Cookie Stretches Week 3
This week we continue with some new cookie stretches! Involving your dog’s chest, ankles, hocks, and nose to sky!
This week we continue with some new cookie stretches! Involving your dog’s chest, ankles, hocks, and nose to sky!
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Fold Back Down
This skill involves all major muscle groups! Your dog must engage their core, forelimbs, and rear limbs. We want your dog starting from a neutral stand and shifting their weight to their rear while flexing their forelimbs and rear limbs to end in a “sphinx down position”.
This skill involves all major muscle groups! Your dog must engage their core, forelimbs, and rear limbs. We want your dog starting from a neutral stand and shifting their weight to their rear while flexing their forelimbs and rear limbs to end in a “sphinx down position”.
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Cavaletti Poles
Cavaletti poles are used to increase limb awareness, stride length, and strength. Repetition with them can be a great cardio exercise too!
Cavaletti poles are used to increase limb awareness, stride length, and strength. Repetition with them can be a great cardio exercise too!
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Cookie Stretches Week 4
This week’s cookie stretches include using your dog’s Shake a Paw, Front Paw Targeting behaviors, and luring a nice “bow” stretch.
This week’s cookie stretches include using your dog’s Shake a Paw, Front Paw Targeting behaviors, and luring a nice “bow” stretch.
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Pivoting with Rear Legs
Teaching your dog to pivot with their rear limbs is a great rear-end awareness exercise. Dogs who are able to do this skill can perform other complex behaviors such as advanced heeling, tricks like backspin, and walking backwards!
Teaching your dog to pivot with their rear limbs is a great rear-end awareness exercise. Dogs who are able to do this skill can perform other complex behaviors such as advanced heeling, tricks like backspin, and walking backwards!
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Raising the Challenge Level!
Let’s go! Once your dog is doing well with one of the skills, here is how you can take it to the next level!
Let’s go! Once your dog is doing well with one of the skills, here is how you can take it to the next level!
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Submitting and Earning Your FIT DOG Points!
Great work! Here is a review of the exercises, assessment parameters, and how to submit for your AKC FIT DOG points.
Great work! Here is a review of the exercises, assessment parameters, and how to submit for your AKC FIT DOG points.
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Congrats! What's Next?
Congrats! Once you complete your FIT DOG Level 1 assessment, you qualify to participate in Level 2.
Congrats! Once you complete your FIT DOG Level 1 assessment, you qualify to participate in Level 2.
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Required Equipment for Class
Well Fitting Harness or Collar and Regular 5-6 Foot Leash
Training Treats your dog LOVES and a Treat Pouch or Pocket
Training Platform such as a KLIMB or Cato Board (You can use any solid platform or low profile dog bed that is no more than 12” tall)
Yoga Mat or Non-slip Traction Mat
Solid round object that your dog can fit both front paws on such as Two Rubber Feed Bowls (Available at farm stores too).
Optional Equipment:
Four, Six, Eight, or Twelve Cavaletti Poles (used on Week 4)
Dog and Handler Requirements
You should have a base level of training done with your dog so they understand how training works. You may have attended puppy or basic manners classes with your dog or have done most training at home.
Dogs who attend must be in good health with no current injuries or prior injures that may inflict discomfort or pain. If your dog has a prior injury, please consult your vet first before joining FIT DOG Class.
This class is taught using positive reinforcement training. Dogs should not be forced to perform any fitness behavior for class or evaluations.
Join the FIT DOG Community!
“Jordy and Leeroy are having so much fun with this class. Ashley is an awesome instructor and is so helpful in teaching and troubleshooting each skill. Highly recommend this class!”
- Sara
Benefits of FIT DOG Class
We know how important staying fit is for humans, but fitness also is very important for our dog’s physical health, mental health, and behavior. So what benefits can you expect?
Confidence building for anxious, reactive, and shy dogs
Strengthen your bond between you and your dog
Increased focus and listening skills
Less boredom and destructive behaviors
Tires out hyper and energetic dogs
Learn how to practice fitness safely and with proper form
Injury prevention by increasing proprioception (body awareness)
FUN for you and your dog!
FAQs
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During Level 1 FIT DOG class you will learn the following skills
Canine Fitness Safety
Tuck Sit
Nose Touch
Cardio Warmup Games
Front Paw Targeting
Shake a Paw
Cool Down Games and Flexibility
Kick Back Stand
Spin Left/Spin Right
Cavaletti Poles
Fold Back Down
Pivoting with Rear Legs
How to Troubleshoot
And much more!
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This class earns you points towards your AKC FIT DOG Title but there are other categories required to qualify such as a group walk, independent walk, swimming, or other activity. Your FIT DOG instructor can direct you to an activity that can help you earn you points!
For Bronze, Level 1 class is worth 3 points, Silver 6 points, and Gold 3 points.
Once you complete Level 1 class, you can move onto Level 2 class, and then Level 3!
NOTE: AKC Fees are separate from this class. You will need an AKC Number for your dog before/during submitting your dog’s title. Both purebred and mixed breed dogs can get an AKC number.
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More info can be found on the AKC’s website. If you have any specific questions you can also reach out to me.
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Once you sign up for the class, you will be emailed a link to join the private Facebook group. Introduce yourself and your pup!
Once class begins, videos will be posted each week with exercises for you to practice with your dog at home. Feel free to ask any questions in the group and share videos of your progress!
Videos are not Live so don’t worry about being there at a specific time.
When class wraps up after 6 weeks, you can submit your videos to earn points towards your AKC FIT DOG Title by posting to the group, or privately messaging/emailing me.
Earn your AKC FIT DOG Title!
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Earn your AKC FIT DOG Title! ✳
Follow along with the videos and teach your dog the exercises! Once your dog can do them with proper form, submit the videos for evaluation.
This class qualifies for AKC FIT DOG Points towards your dog’s title, but videos must be reviewed before points can be earned.
Reach out for any help with exercises or title information!
Note: AKC Title Submitting Fees not included in class price.