4/5/26 RC Lesson 12 - Lily proofing the stay for fetch

Lily took a few notes watching your video! First attempt we had some success. Took several tries, but we were aiming for two in a row, and she eventually did it. Will keep working on it!

9--9-2024 The importance of the "Sit/Stay" command demo'd with Roxanne working launching Riley-:)

3-31-2026 Water work = bird/bumper in the pond, dog retrieves on command

 Class,

Let me preface these videos with a few words on my use of the crop (small leather crop used on horses). One of the rules of competition to remember, no matter which venue, is that if the dog is NOT under control 'going to the line' (the starting place), that dog is NOT going to cooperate during the competition.  

The use of the crop is a reminder to each dog 'THERE IS A CONSEQUENCE IF YOU ARE NOT OBEDIENT'.  Do notice that with each dog that gets cropped, each dog then rapidly shakes off its Prey Drive (retrieve is Prey Drive), shifts into Social Drive and begins to work FOR and WITH me. 

Do notice I am in rain boots, and the muddy ground becomes increasingly slippery with each dog.  The use of the crop is an extension of a collar correction reminding the dog to maintain control TO the line.  The dog learns, quickly, they will NOT get to retrieve unless they are obedient (heel position). They also learn, quickly, they WILL GET to retrieve when they are obedient to the line.  

Link to Ruth working retrieves in the pond(1)

Link to Ruth working retrieves in the pond (2)

Jessi/Nova

 

Link to Jessi/Nova. Nova FINALLY believes Jessi-:)

Loki's ROHJ and ROF Exam

Good job Pat. He did especially well on the ROHJ.

Another Video of ROHJ, Loki chokes as soon as the db goes too far out. But does great on the close ones. 

ROF - Loki had some great ones and some he choked on. It still goes down to distance when he chokes. We did happen to get a few further ones at the end. Good Job Pat! Way to stick with it. 

3/31/26 RC Lesson 12 Exam - Lily RoF

Lily was a lot more excited and much less distracted today! So much so that she was taking off before she was released. We remembered you said to let her go and say fetch as though it was my idea. When/how do we need to correct this? Otherwise, we had a few fumbles with the check cord, but overall much better since class!

3/29/26 RC Lesson 12 Class - Lily RoHJ and RoF

 

Lou practice on RoF, chair R,

 Lou has I’m proved on her retrieve. These are great practice. Her front right wrist is doing better. I will increase her distance on ROF, also start working her more on the ROHJ. 

3/29/26 RC Lesson 11 Exam - Lily RoHJ and RoF

We did several practices and a few outtakes before getting these. Lily was a little crooked on some sits, but I was really trying to focus on standing up nice and tall, which I think I did better. Lily has been faster, but it's a bit hotter in the room today and we did the RoF last, so she had slowed down some by then. We plan to start doing more outside as the weather gets nicer!

3/22/26 RC Lesson 11 Class - Lily

Jett’s week 11 exam

 We have had good days and not so good days practicing this week. It seems like every day there was some different issue. On this attempt I forgot the place board so his ssif was off but I liked his fast speed and quickness on the retrieves. Some of the other days he is going out to get the db but he isn’t as quick as I think he should be. He is doing better and better with picking it up correctly. In fact there were several times that he started picking up crooked and fixed it before heading back. Anyway the first 2 videos are the test then I did a couple clips from practices with place board. If you see anything I need to do different let me know. 😊 

Lesson 11 EXAM

Link to RC Lesson 11 EXAM 

Ketchup class videos Lesson 10 and Lesson 11

Link to RC Lesson 10 Class videos 

Link to RC Lesson 11 Class videos

3/20/26 RC Lesson 10 - Chair Test with Lily

We were blown away by how well Lily did on her first try of the test, especially since we didn't get to practice today. All the dogs were around to distract, but her biggest distraction was Esteban (who is to Lily what Russell is to Flax!). Her SSIFs are getting better, too!

Loki retrieve from flat surface.

 

Jett's Week 10 Exam "Chair Test"

 First, it was fun to see the chair test with Z dog and to remember how much of a struggle this class was for her. Watching her test, I couldn’t help but reflect on how differently I worked with her compared to Jett. Her challenges were so different—holding was never an issue for her, but it has definitely been one for Jett. I’m really grateful for those differences and for the opportunity to learn how to work with each dog individually.

Overall, I felt Jett did really well on this test. He was a bit hesitant about taking it off Pat's knees at first, but on the redo he did amazing. I hadn’t practiced having him get up onto that stool, so I think he was just unsure—which is pretty typical for him. When he’s uncertain, he tends to lower his head and slowly try to come back to me. But once he understood what was expected, he did great.

I also had to laugh when he crawled under the chair to do the last retrieve. It actually reassured me that his confidence is growing and we are making progress in his understanding. And, Thanks to Pat for her much needed help. 

.

RC Lesson 10 EXAM: The infamous 'Chair Test'.

Mock EXAMS are often necessary for the dog to Pass this EXAM.  Link to Lesson 10 Chair Test EXAM practices w/Da 3 Amigos

Link to your fellow classmates prior Lesson 10 Chair Test EXAMs

Link to Da 3 Amigos passed Lesson 10 Chair Test EXAMS

Loki Hold Progress

 

Lesson 9 EXAM

Link to Lesson 9 EXAM (heading to the ground) 

Jett’s midweek progress

 Jett and I are making pretty good progress this week so far. A couple little problems but we are adjusting to make sure he is successful. 1st he is still figuring out how to launch and pick up off the ground successfully.  He sometimes misjudges the db and pushes it then he turns and doesn’t finish picking up. So we backwashed a bit to a couple inches off ground to give him more practice on pickup. This has seemed to work. 2nd issue, when he returns to ssif he goes way too far into my legs. I have started incorporating a place board to see if we can get this fixed.  Anyway, he is definitely making progress and is feeling more confident with his success. 

Morning training with Loki on hold.

 

3/9/26 RC Lesson 9 - Lily and Rachel Practice

Lily says, "Today I did a lot better, working on just the first component. I am getting it and holding like a good girl!"

 

Lily also says, "My big sissy was showing me how it was done, and that helped!"

After a later practice session with Poppy first, then Lily... Lily liked it! She was launching when it was her turn!

Lesson 9: Marrying the "Fetch" to the "HOLD" sequencing

Link to Da 3 Amigos RC Lesson 9 practice sessions 

9-2-2024 Rebuilding confidence in Zoey

Be prepared to practice this type of distraction training in class.

😜 Well, this was QUITE interesting-:)

Week 2 Hold with Loki

 

Pat's bio

 

I’m very excited to welcome you to the world of dog training.

 

My name is Pat Betar. I grew up in Panguitch, Utah, and moved to Richfield in December 1993 with my husband and our three young children to start our family business, Classic Motors. Today, our two oldest children work with us:

 

Kent works in sales and is a devoted dad to our 12‑year‑old grandson, Foster.

 

Alex is our parts manager and father to Alyvia, who is 8.

 

Our daughter Cassandra works as an RN/Scrub Tech at the University of Utah.

 

Over the years, we’ve had several wonderful dogs as family pets, but obedience was always a challenge. Last year, I learned that my Alaskan Malamute had bone cancer. I knew that when the time came to say goodbye, I would eventually want a new puppy — but first, I needed to address some behavior issues with my two remaining dogs.

 

My groomer recommended Roxann, and after talking with her, I decided to enroll my 8‑year‑old Husky, Luna, in the foundation course. After seeing such positive changes, I brought my 6‑year‑old Pomsky, Loki, through the program as well. The transformation in both dogs — even at their ages — has been incredible. I’m still learning how to be a better dog owner, and I’m also helping my granddaughter learn how to interact confidently and safely with the dogs.

 

Right now, I’m working through the retrieve course with Loki and beginning e‑collar training with both Luna and Loki.

 

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is the sense of community. Everyone genuinely wants both the dogs and the owners to succeed. I haven’t added a new puppy to my pack yet, but when I do, I’ll be starting with the puppy course and continuing from there.

 

I’ll be cheering you on and look forward to seeing you in class.

Loki hold

 

2/22/26 RC Lesson 7 Class - Lily

Week 7 class Videos

 Jump - Jump

Mary and Ellie

Trina and Jett

Hold with HIGH distraction

Jett - Hold while circling around him. 

Jett - Hold while walking

Week 6 Hold Loki

 

2-19-2026 Da 3 Amigos RC2 Lesson 1 EXAM: Open on command [with fowl]

Link to RC2: L1 EXAMs [with fowl] 

2/18/26 RC Lesson 6 - Lily hold with correction

2/17/26 RC Lesson 6 - Lily hold practice day 2

Much better than yesterday! 

Jett Practice Hold at Home Depot

Doing really good on the hold. He is getting the concept. 

 

Morning Practice Hold with Loki

 

Here are the 2-15-26 class videos & a new section, RC2 Da 3 Amigos on dead fowl

 Link to Lesson 6 RC 

Link to Lesson 1 RC@ Da 3 Amigos on dead fowl

2/16/26 RC Lesson 6 - Lily's hold practice

Lily still has avoidance behavior today. She doesn't want to close her mouth to hold the dumbbell, she pants, and she'll turn, tilt and raise her head.

2-15-2026 Lesson 6

 Lesson 6 is uploaded. Today's class videos will be uploaded tomorrow

RC Lesson 5 EXAM examples

Link to RC Lesson 5 EXAMs 

2-9-2026 EXTRA Credit retrieves after a FC Week 2b class

 

Retrieve Class practices in very HIGH distraction so Harley can watch-:)

RC Lesson 5 EXAMs

It has been a tough week, today was an overly stressful day with a 90 minute conversation with Shaina about a change in her cancer treatment regime. Sigh...

Anyway, I will upload Lesson 5 EXAM examples tomorrow, for now, the EXAM is to do 5 retrieves at 12" in HIGH distractions.

Going to 🛌

2/11/26 Lesson 5 - Lily Practice

No chickens at the pet store, but Lily found the ferrets. She had a good time on a sniffari all through the store, then did fetches with ferrets. Afterward, Lily did impromptu serpentines because the opportunity was in front of us.

2/8/26 RC Lesson 5 - Lily

 

RC Lesson 4 EXAM(s) = EXAM MUST BE IN EXTREMELY HIGH DISTRACTIONS

Link to RC Lesson 4 EXAM examples 

Link to RC Lesson 4 Da 3 Amigos EXAM(s)

2/1/26 RC Lesson 4 - Lily

2-1-2026 RC Lesson 4

 Class,

I have uploaded what is available for today's Lesson 4. Please note the Heeling Stick, Lesson 1 video is self-explanatory, we did not demo this in class today.

HOMEWORK Lesson 4: the 6 inch retrieve, "Swing" and the Heeling Stick, Lesson

I do have Da 3 Amigos working the Lesson 4 videos here for your review, goats included-:)

 Instructor - Da 3 Amigos HOMEWORK - Lesson 4

Link to Lesson 4 *Important Conversations*

1-28-2026 The Lesson 3 EXAM examples

Link to Instructor Lesson 3 EXAM (from long ago)

Link to Da 3 Amigos RC Lesson 3 EXAMs (not so long ago)

How goes Lesson 3

 How goes Lesson 3 this week?

1-25-2026 Lesson 3 is uploaded

Link to old *Lesson 3* important conversation 

Link to new *Lesson 3* important conversation

HOMEWORK Lesson 3: The 1" Retrieve & EC intro. Cavallities & "Move"

• Lesson 3: The 1" retrieve + Ear Correction. Boaz demo's so long ago in MD
• Link to 10-16-2022 Lesson 3, the 1" retrieve with Ruth
  
• Link to Lesson 3: Review of photo sequences for 1" retrieve in HIGH distractions
  

Instructor - Da 3 Amigos HOMEWORK - Lesson

Link to Da 3 Amigos Lesson 3 HW videos

Class videos

• Link to 1-25-26 Class video on teaching "Move"
  

RC Lesson 2 EXAM examples are posted.

Link to RC Lesson 2 EXAMs 

Link to RC Lesson 2 EXAMs of Da 3 Amigos

1/19/26 RC Lesson 2 - Lily Practice at Schooley Mill

We braved the cold and took Lily and Poppy to Schooley Mill. They ran and played in the tennis court for a bit, then Rachel did some fetches on a bench in the court. We walked around to the baseball field where Janet worked Lily on fetches against Rachel working Poppy. We thought Lily did pretty good.

1-18-2026 Lesson 2: Open on command (brushing the teeth)

Class,

Today's in class videos will hopefully be uploaded tomorrow. For now, you have posted instructions for Lesson 2.

Link to *IMPORTANT* Lesson 2 conversation 

There are three (3) pages under this section

HOMEWORK Lesson 2: Open on Command (brushing the teeth), Heeling board, "Jump"

Link to Da 3 Amigos Lesson 2 homework practices

Tomorrow

 We will begin the class with Lesson 1 EXAMs. I go to bed in minutes, we have Shaina, DJ and boys coming in tonight, I will not have time tomorrow morning to review any EXAMs.

I will make sure to have a touch setup for these EXAMs.

Jett wk 1 practice

 We have had good practices this week and he is almost opening without my help! Yay! Yesterday at Maverick I had an “avid animal lover” as she claimed throwing a fit telling me she was so worried for my dog and she didn’t think it was right I was working with him like that. It was quite the encounter so I made it quick and got out of there. Some people, If she only knew how spoiled and pampered he is. And sorry about the Home Depot video with no leash and collar, I was on a time crunch and was not planning on doing retrieves, but when he started growling and barking at the cat I decided he needed to work, luckily I still had his dowel on me from earlier. I’ll try t on get the test done later today or first thing tomorrow morning. 

RC Lesson 1 EXAM examples - Due by Sat noon

Long ago...

Link to RC Lesson 1 EXAM examples from long ago  & 

Not so long ago...

Link to RC Lesson 1 EXAM(s) with Da 3 Amigos

Wednesday, Day 4

 Class,

Please let me know how the retrieve is going for you and you dog(s)?

Tks, 

1/11/26 RC Lesson 1 - Lily

 

1-12-26 RC Lesson 1, Day 2 Pat/Loki

 The warmup

Link to Pat/Loki making retrieve progress

Class videos are uploaded from Sunday

 Can anyone see the Home Page displayed correctly?  Right now, I can't see the entire Home Page??

1-8-2026 THE PHOTO SHOOT VIDEOS. WHEW!

1-11-2026 Lesson 1 : Intro to the dowel

As always, the first RC class is full of surprises.  I am particularly pleased that I had Da 3 Amigos handled by Pat. I believe it helped her understand what to do when she worked Loki.  The instructions are here under the following section:

HOMEWORK Week 1: The Introduction

• Retrieve Course 2018 Lesson 1: The 'Fetch' rules (written + photos), with help
• Lesson 1: The "Fetch" and "Give" mechanics

Here are Da 3 Amigos Lesson 1 videos:

Instructor - Da 3 Amigos HOMEWORK - Lesson 1

• 12-6-2025 thru 12-10-25, Lesson 1, Videos of Day 1, 2 & 4

This is a section worthy of reading. Here's the first conversation:

Conversations worth listening to

• RC 2019 Lesson 1: Understanding the different ways to teach the retrieve, Trust = CCC & PIC

Class videos will take some time to upload..my cell phone battery is in the red.

 

Hello to all

Link to HW: Before we Begin