Petra Ford, Faculty
Main info
I have been training and competing for several decades in a variety of sports including Hunt Tests, Field Trials, Nosework, Agility and Rally. My first love has always been competition obedience. I have been fortunate to win the AKC National Obedience Championship four times with three different dogs. All my dogs have earned placements at Nationals. My dog Tyler won the World Cup and was First-Runner Up. All my current dogs have earned OTCH’s, multiple High-In-Trial and High-Combined awards, wins and placements at Regionals, as well as numerous perfect 200 scores.
I find training endlessly fascinating. Figuring out how to be a better communicator with each of my dogs is a never-ending challenge that I whole heartedly embrace. I love solving training puzzles. It’s what has kept me in the sport for so many years. I especially love the incredible relationship developed with my dogs through training and competition.
Although not currently practicing, I am a Physical Therapist and a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. These days I’m an instructor at FDSA and own a Boarding Kennel. I’m passionate about teaching and sharing what I have learned over the years. Watching students grow and succeed is incredibly rewarding.
In my spare time I love hiking and playing with the dogs, running, practicing yoga, meditating and spending time with friends. I enjoy writing blogs and working with my friend Laurie on our Canine Connection Podcast.
Petra Ford's current and upcoming courses
Enhanced Engagement - Building Competition Skills
Most dogs know how to do the exercises. They even have a foundation in engagement. But when they compete, things often fall apart. Competition requires another level of engagement. Dogs must maintain engagement while performing a complex series of behavior chains. Many distractions at trials are unpredictable and cannot be replicated in training. It’s impossible to prepare for every eventuality.
Competition Heeling Part Two
Heeling requires significant concentration and sustained focus to maintain position, focal point and engagement. Heeling is easily the most difficult obedience exercise. When trained properly, it is a beautiful dance between dog and handler that is a joy to watch.
Competition Heeling Fundamentals
Great heeling is a pleasure to watch. Dog and handler moving together as one. The dog is happy, animated, joyful and confident. Heeling is a dance that should express joy and teamwork. How do you accomplish that? Great fundamentals! Heeling is a complex behavior chain incorporating focal point, position and engagement. I break heeling down into pieces that will make sense to you AND your dog. Each piece is taught as a fun trick. With clear communication and consistent criteria your dog will enjoy learning how to heel. We will work on handling to ensure you are being the best possible partner for your dog. We will start with straight line heeling and add the foundation for halts and turns. Whether your dog is learning how to heel or knows how to heel and has some holes, this course is for you.
Why choose us?
We offer a variety of online training solutions designed to help you and your furry friend achieve success
FAQ
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Start by clicking on the Course Schedule link at the top of this page. If registration is open, select the course you wish to take from the list and click on that link. From that page, click on the registration link and choose the enrollment level you are interested in. This webpage describes the steps in more detail.
Registration opens on the 22nd of the month preceding the course start date (ie March 22 for courses beginning April 1st) and close on the 15th day of the month the session has started (ie April 15 for courses starting April 1st). You cannot register for 6 week courses outside of this period.
Scholarships are offered to students who do not feel they can afford the full tuition, but who have a sincere interest in expanding their skills as a dog sport trainer. Scholarships are offered in the form of a 50% tuition credit at the Bronze level. To apply, select the Scholarships link from the top menu (under new students) or click this link. We ask that if you are on a scholarship, you limit yourself to one class. There are a maximum of three scholarships per student permitted in a calendar year.
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