EXTRA Courses – More Than Just Video Lessons
Distance learning for dog fitness has many advantages – you can learn at your own pace, review the material as many times as needed, and train at a time that suits you. However, even the most comprehensive video lessons cannot answer one important question:
“Is the dog really performing the exercise correctly?”
That’s exactly why EXTRA courses were created.
Why Choose EXTRA Courses?
When learning independently, it often seems like an exercise is being performed perfectly, but even small mistakes can reduce its benefit or eventually become an improper movement habit. An experienced eye often notices what the owner doesn’t see.
By choosing EXTRA courses, you get not only video lessons but also the opportunity to receive individual feedback:
✔ what’s being done correctly is assessed;
mistakes are identified;
✔ why they occur is explained;
✔ specific advice is provided on what to correct and how;
✔ why something should be corrected is explained;
✔ the learning process becomes safer and more effective.
How Does Feedback Work?
EXTRA course participants can submit 4 videos, each no longer than 2 minutes (up to 8 minutes of video material in total). Individual comments and recommendations are provided for each video.
1. Film the Exercises Properly
To objectively assess movements, filming quality is very important. Filming recommendations:
- film from the side;
- the camera should be at the dog’s chest height (neither from above nor from below);
- the entire dog and the position of your hands with the treat must be visible in the frame;
This allows assessment of not only the dog’s movements but also how your position and movements influence the dog’s movements.
2. Select the Best Repetitions
You don’t need to show all attempts. Choose 2–4 repetitions that you think went best. Usually, it’s in these attempts that small details are most visible and it’s easiest to provide precise recommendations.
3. Combine the Exercises into One Video
Edit several short clips into one video that doesn’t exceed 2 minutes in length.
If you don’t want the video to be publicly visible, when uploading to YouTube select the “Unlisted” setting.
4. Upload Information to the Q&A (Questions and Answers) Section
Next to the YouTube video link, list which exercises were filmed in their order.
Write your questions. For example: What can I do so the dog doesn’t move its legs? Is the range of motion sufficient? Is the platform height appropriate, etc. Anything that concerns you.
5. Within 3 business days you will receive a response in the same Q&A (Questions and Answers) section: whether there are areas to correct and how to do it.
All EXTRA course participants can see each other’s videos and comments – so you can learn from others’ experiences as well.