Try it Events
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 3:00 pmPositive Training FUNdamentals: No dog required!
Positive Training FUNdamentals: No dog required!
Curious about positive training but not sure where to start? Tried it and felt stuck?
This FREE, no-pressure workshop introduces the basics of science-based, reward-based training. No dog required.
You’ll learn where to start, how to build skills step by step, when to add a cue, and how to adjust when things don’t go as planned. Practice with a stuffed animal, then you’ll have the option to work with your own dog.
We’ll use a simple framework called D.I.R.T.—Decide, Imagine, Revise, Train—to help set you and your dog up for success.
Come with a dog or come solo. Learn, practice, and have FUN.
(Limit of 10 free working spots – Unlimited auditors)
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 Demos 9am-10am / Try Its - start at 11amHappy Ratters Demos & Try its
Happy Ratters Demos & Try its
Happy Ratters
The Happy Ratter’s Philosophy – the goal is for the dog and owner to have a fun, positive and successful experience while enhancing the bond between dog and owner, and placing a high priority on safety!
Fun, trusting environment for dogs and their handlers to hunt vermin(rats) in “urban” settings.
A titling program that allows all dogs to compete toward different level titles.
A program that encourages camaraderie and support between competitors.
“urban” setting: trash bags, boxes and barrels and other items possibly found in a city alley, with the big difference being this is
clean “trash”.
Meet the Rat/ Demos 9am-10am — Try Its – start at 11am
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 10:00 amTry It! Tracking
Try It! Tracking
A 2-hour mini-course on canine tracking. Participants will be presented with the basics of how to teach their dog to track and locate a missing or lost person (follow ground-borne human scent to a reward – similar to police “tracking” dogs, or man-trailing dogs or Search & Rescue dogs, etc.). All levels are welcome to this no-pressure, no-judgement, cooperative learning class where only positive, reward-based techniques are used. Participants can learn a fun way to interact with their pets, while simultaneously providing mental and physical stimulation to their dog.
Participants are asked to have a non-restrictive harness and bring A LOT of the dog’s favorite treats (or toys).
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 10:00am-11:00am, 12:00pm-1:00pmEnrichment Playground
Enrichment Playground
“Recharge and play with your dog at the Enrichment Playground!
Featuring 7 low-pressure, dog-led stations designed to build confidence and connection, dogs and handlers can enjoy:
Scent Adventure
Sniff Out Snacks
Texture Trail
Dig & Forage Pit
Tunnel Fun
Puzzle Corner
Interactive Play Station (tugs and toys) 🐾
The goal is to give dogs positive, engaging enrichment experiences while sharing fun, practical ideas you can try at home or with your client dogs!”
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 10:00 am - 3:00 pmScratch Board and Muzzle Training Try It!
Scratch Board and Muzzle Training Try It!
Cooperative Care Training teaches your pets to become active participants in their own health care behaviors, like nail clipping, brushing hair or teeth, and even receiving vaccines! Come check out tools and equipment used in this training, and we will coach you and your dog through the first steps in using a scratch board or muzzle.
Make sure to bring lots of soft and smelly treats for your dog!
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 11:30am, 3:30pmNosework Try It
Nosework Try It
Learn the first steps in teaching nosework by participating in a short class where birch will be first paired with food, then a simple container search.
Prerequisite:
Limited to 8 dogs participating – others may observe. Dogs must be under control and respond to sit and stay commands. Handlers should have treats but if not some will be provided.
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 1:00 pmTry It! Detection
Try It! Detection
A 2-hour mini-course on canine detection. Participants will be presented with the basics of how to teach their dog to sniff out and respond to legal odors (similar to police “drug” dogs, or bed-bug detection dogs, etc.). All levels are welcome to this no-pressure, no-judgement, cooperative learning class where only positive, reward-based techniques are used. Participants can learn a fun way to interact with their pets, while simultaneously providing mental and physical stimulation to their dog.
Participants are asked to have a non-restrictive collar or harness and bring A LOT of the dog’s favorite treats (or toys).
Maximum of 8 participants
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 Demos 9am-10am / Try Its - start at 11amHappy Ratters Demos & Try its
Happy Ratters Demos & Try its
Happy Ratters
The Happy Ratter’s Philosophy – the goal is for the dog and owner to have a fun, positive and successful experience while enhancing the bond between dog and owner, and placing a high priority on safety!
Fun, trusting environment for dogs and their handlers to hunt vermin(rats) in “urban” settings.
A titling program that allows all dogs to compete toward different level titles.
A program that encourages camaraderie and support between competitors.
“urban” setting: trash bags, boxes and barrels and other items possibly found in a city alley, with the big difference being this is
clean “trash”.
Meet the Rat/ Demos 9am-10am — Try Its – start at 11am
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 10:00 amTry It! Tracking
Try It! Tracking
A 2-hour mini-course on canine tracking. Participants will be presented with the basics of how to teach their dog to track and locate a missing or lost person (follow ground-borne human scent to a reward – similar to police “tracking” dogs, or man-trailing dogs or Search & Rescue dogs, etc.). All levels are welcome to this no-pressure, no-judgement, cooperative learning class where only positive, reward-based techniques are used. Participants can learn a fun way to interact with their pets, while simultaneously providing mental and physical stimulation to their dog.
Participants are asked to have a non-restrictive harness and bring A LOT of the dog’s favorite treats (or toys).
Maximum of 8 participants
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 10:00 am - 3:00 pmScratch Board and Muzzle Training Try It!
Scratch Board and Muzzle Training Try It!
Cooperative Care Training teaches your pets to become active participants in their own health care behaviors, like nail clipping, brushing hair or teeth, and even receiving vaccines! Come check out tools and equipment used in this training, and we will coach you and your dog through the first steps in using a scratch board or muzzle.
Make sure to bring lots of soft and smelly treats for your dog!
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 11:00 am - 3:00 pmUpDog Disc Try its
UpDog Disc Try its
Disc competition
Sunday we will do try-its in the following games:
4 way play
Time Warp
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 11:30am, 3:30pmNosework Try It
Nosework Try It
Learn the first steps in teaching nosework by participating in a short class where birch will be first paired with food, then a simple container search.
Prerequisite:
Limited to 8 dogs participating – others may observe. Dogs must be under control and respond to sit and stay commands. Handlers should have treats but if not some will be provided.
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 1:00 pmTry It! Detection
Try It! Detection
A 2-hour mini-course on canine detection. Participants will be presented with the basics of how to teach their dog to sniff out and respond to legal odors (similar to police “drug” dogs, or bed-bug detection dogs, etc.). All levels are welcome to this no-pressure, no-judgement, cooperative learning class where only positive, reward-based techniques are used. Participants can learn a fun way to interact with their pets, while simultaneously providing mental and physical stimulation to their dog.
Participants are asked to have a non-restrictive collar or harness and bring A LOT of the dog’s favorite treats (or toys).
Maximum of 8 participants