RACH Hi-Star Striving for Excellence – “Excel”

BN RM2 RAE2 NA NAJ OF DS TKI CGC CCA

Excel is the puppy that I kept from Strive’s litter. He is sweet, cuddly, and goofy, and I adore him.

He’s taught me how important life skills are for performance dogs, and much of his first couple of years was spent focused on being calm around other dogs, loose-leash walking, and being comfortable in his crate. Excel has also taught me the importance of clear criteria and reward markers and how that reduces frustration. He is exceptionally intelligent and consistently strives to excel in everything he does.

Excel earned the AKC Rally Championship, the Beginner Novice title, multiple agility titles, the Dock Dog Senior title, and the Canine Good Citizen Advanced title.

Excel has become particularly attached to my youngest daughter, and through 4-H, they have earned many Grand and Reserve Championships together in obedience, rally, agility, and showmanship.

Excel loves spending time with my daughter, especially cuddling and playing fetch. I’m grateful for their relationship and the many lessons he is teaching her. I look forward to watching where their journey takes them.

6 weeks

Connected in the Real World

Cost: $160

Class Description

Strengthen Focus, Connection, and Everyday Reliability

Take your dog’s real-world engagement to the next level with Connected in the Real World! This class helps dogs and their people build calm, thoughtful responses in the presence of common distractions. Instead of trying to prevent dogs from noticing things, we teach them how to notice what’s happening and then reorient back to their handler with confidence and clarity.

Whether your goal is smoother walks, better focus at home, or just more calm teamwork out in the world, this class will help you both succeed. Through well-designed exercises and personalized coaching, you’ll help your dog stay connected and perform familiar behaviors even when everyday distractions appear.

What You’ll Learn

Each week introduces new challenges that help your dog stay engaged with you, even as they encounter real-life stimuli.

You’ll focus on:

Helping your dog reorient to you after distractions like people, dogs at a distance, toys, dropped food/wrappers, movement, and doors opening and closing
Practicing familiar skills around distractions, including loose leash walking toward and around things that catch their attention
Building reliable recalls away from interesting objects or situations
Developing an automatic leave it response in everyday contexts
Adding cues so your dog knows when it’s okay to approach people or exciting things

By the end of class, you’ll both have tools to stay present with each other when life gets busy.

Why You’ll Love This Class

Real-World Skills: Practice behaviors in everyday environments so your dog listens even when there’s a lot going on.
Connection & Confidence: Strengthen the relationship that makes communication clear and rewarding.
Positive & Supportive: Thoughtful reinforcement and progression help dogs succeed without pressure.
Personalized Guidance: Small class sizes ensure individualized coaching and feedback.

Who It’s For

This class is perfect for:

Dogs who have solid manners but fall apart around real-world distractions
Pet owners who want a calmer, more connected companion
Teams ready to practice skills with increasing complexity in everyday settings

Requirements

Completion of Advanced Manners (or instructor approval)

See Available Dates & times + Register Now!