THE REAL DOG YOGA

The ultimate in permission-based handling

About Real Dog Yoga

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ABOUT REAL DOG YOGA

What is Real Dog Yoga: Real Dog Yoga is a programme of training. It ultimately involves teaching dogs to express and hold specific body postures, expressions and actions that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and help them to become or remain calm.

The programme has designed an environment for learning which is called option training. We train yoga using this method where dogs have specific areas and communication signals they can use to opt out at any point. Regular breaks are taken following a protocol to ensure that emotional stressors such as frustration do not complicate learning patterns.

Using option training we teach each dog a set of 30 postures (which are broken into 3 sets: sitting, laying and standing) as well as 15 actions and 10 expressions. These are designed to help the dog learn to become or maintain calmness. It also helps to increase the dog and human interspecies vocabulary and create better understanding and compassion. The postures, expressions and actions also increase body awareness, muscle control and communication with the owners. They can be taught to any age or breed of dog with any age owner.

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INSTRUCTOR COURSES

How to become an Instructor

The four day courses invite instructors to understand Dog Yoga from the inside out.

DAY ONE is all about an environment for learning. It looks at contrafreeloading and the evidence for choice protocols in dog training. It looks at the effect of stress on the brain in view of learning and looks to see how we can create the perfect environment for teaching dogs new things. The afternoon is practical and gives handlers the first chance to train the dogs they have been paired with.

DAY TWO is focuses on the yoga element and looks at why and how we train dogs postures, actions and expressions. The group is split and groups are taught various postures, expressions and actions in class environment. We also theories of Flow and look at functionality and calmness in humans.

DAY THREE focused around reactive dogs. It looks at how we can use Dog Yoga and option training protocols to work with dogs who suffer with issued based around fear, frustration and anxiety. Day three includes practical working with dogs with difficulties.

DAY FOUR is an informal assessment with each participant teaching a chosen posture, expression or action. Each participant will be assessed on handling and teaching and will be presented with a thorough walk through assessment sheet a week after the course, as well as a percentage mark. If you pass the assessment you will then be a certified instructor.

Once completed Dog Yoginis receive a certificate and are able to teach yoga at their training schools and centres. They receive a pack of lesson plans, handout literature and their names go on the list of recommended instructors. They can use our branding and their classes and workshops will be added to this website. They are also free to join the members only Facebook group where tips and videos are shared.

Next instructors course: Summer 2017

Find out more about Instructors Courses

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LOCAL INSTRUCTORS

Find your local instructor

The Real Dog Yoga Instructors have all been trained personally by Jo-Rosie. They take an intensive five day course including an assessment at the end. They are all trained using vulnerable, rescue dogs and are an incredible team of passionate, exceptional trainers.