What are Recreational Electives at
Summit Dog Training?
group dog training classes in Fort collins, CO
To live their best & healthiest life as our companions and family members, dogs need more than just great skills that help them navigate the human world. They also need enrichment, quality social opportunities, and exercise - all curated to who they are as an individual dog with their own genetic & learning history needs. These are some of the needs we are trying to meet with our Recreational Electives at Summit!
Recreational Electives are available as part of our Adventure Dog Club Membership or a la carte for students who have taken at least one other service with us previously. If you are new to Summit, please start with an Adventure Dog Club Membership first!
Recreational Elective Options at Summit:
A small puppy plays in the ball pit for enrichment at Beyond Play Group.
Beyond Play - Dog Enrichment & Socialization Fun!
If you are looking for a fun and safe environment to engage both your pup's senses and teach them healthy dog to dog social skills, this drop in is for you! Our curated and enriched socialization experience promotes positive dog to dog prosocial behaviors and lowers arousal in the presence of other dogs.
Beyond Play is a drop-in style class perfect for pups who need some extra socialization & for the pet parents who are searching for an opportunity to get their dog out of the house! This is not a training class, but rather a supplemental support option for dogs who are looking for safe and fun socialization opportunities with other dogs.
How it Works: The room is set up with enrichment stations filled with exciting activities for the dogs to explore while engaging their senses. Your instructor will give you a quick tour of the different stations before you bring your dog into the room on leash to explore each of the enrichment stations themselves. Once all the dogs have had the chance to get familiar with the room and others in it, let the adventure begin! If your dog needs a break during their time at Beyond Play, we will also have relaxation stations to continue promoting self-regulation and keep the room at a comfortable arousal level for all the dogs.
Beyond Play is offered as availability and demand allows. Check out the “Schedule With Us” tab to see if it is currently on the calendar. If you have any questions, contact us!
Prerequisites: Attended at least one week of another group class (including Puppy PlaySchool) with us!
Two Size Groups!
Small breed dogs under 25 lbs Medium breed dogs 25~50lb
Sniff Games
Sniff Games instructor Net follows her dog Noodle on an adventure!
If your dog has ever rolled in an unidentifiable, stinky odor and marched around delighted and proud, you know how important their sense of smell is to them. Sniffing is a great way for dogs to naturally regulate their feelings and behavior, whether they're experiencing excitement, new environments, or simply everyday life. Sniffing provides mental stimulation and serves as a powerful form of enrichment for dogs, allowing them to engage their primary sense to explore and understand their world.
This class will introduce you to engaging sniffing games designed to enrich your dog’s mind and build your bond. You'll learn a repertoire of games you can easily set up around your home and neighborhood, bringing the fun to you and your pup! All dogs are welcome, especially those whose world may be a little smaller due to their sensitivities or reactions. Let’s add fun to something they already do—SNIFF FUN!
Enrichment & Fun for Dogs of All Ages & Many Abilities!
Since Sniff Games are conducted with one dog at a time, and sniffing focuses on building confidence and independence in our dogs, this activity is particularly suitable for dogs who are shy or sensitive to other dogs, and it can be especially beneficial for dogs who are shy or tentative in new environments.
Dogs will take multiple turns having fun with sniff games away from other dogs in class. Your dog should be able to remain secured in your vehicle in the parking lot when they are waiting for their turns. Ahead of your first class, the instructor will email you with tips on how to keep your dog safe in the car during whatever weather Colorado throws our way. If you have questions about whether your dog meets these foundation requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
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Prerequisites: You must complete at least one other class within our program. This could be any other class, including Reactive Dog 101.
Students who have completed Private Lessons with Summit are also eligible for enrollment. Ask your private lesson trainer if Sniff Games is a good class option for you and your dog.
If you haven’t taken any services with us before, students transferring from other programs who have the foundation skills to be successful in this class can obtain instructor approval prior to registration by emailing us at admin@summitdogtraining.com.
Your dog should be comfortable being left crated or loose in your vehicle in between their turns. Only one dog plays with their handler at a time, so plan to crate or otherwise secure your dog inside your car when they are not running. If you foresee a problem with this arrangement, please contact us as soon as possible so we can arrange an alternative way to secure your dog.
Your dog should be able to work safely in a room with other people. Some environmental supports (barriers, leash management, etc.) can be set up for the success of dogs that are shy or reactive to new people, but your dog must be able to tolerate some degree of proximity to new people in order to participate in Sniff Games classes.
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In Summit’s classes, the safety and comfort of the dogs is paramount. This class is designed for all dogs and is especially conducive for dogs who may have sensitivities/reactions to other dogs, people, loud noises, etc. and may not have as many options for joining in all of the reindeer games (aka dog classes and sports). For this reason, dogs will play sniff games one at a time during class. In between turns, your dog will hang out in your car (see car safety tips below). We will rotate through turns quickly and they will be out of the car multiple times during class.
When you arrive at class, please leave your dog in the car and come into the classroom. Arrive a little early to set up your car for safety (see tips).
When you go out to your car, please look around for other dogs and wait until the other dogs are safely back in their vehicles before allowing your dog to exit your vehicle.
Please don’t allow your dogs to socialize during class. This also means keeping your dog securely on leash at all times unless instructed to remove their leash during their turn.
During class, we will be observing and learning from everyone else’s dogs. If another dog approaches you, please refrain from interacting with them. For people-sensitive dogs, please avoid eye contact with the dog and refrain from making sudden movements/noises. We want all of our doggie friends to feel like they can relax while playing their sniff games.
This class is all about fun and bonding with your dog so everyone is encouraged to cheer on other doggies, keeping individual sound sensitivities in mind.
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To ensure doggie safety, you can use different combinations of these options:
If possible, park in shade
Provide filled water bowl
Hide away items they will eat/chew that you do not want them to touch
Use rechargeable battery operated fans. For example, clamp fans.
Use a crate or xpen and open all windows and back hatch, if applicable
Use a crate or x-pen and open all windows and back hatch, if applicable
Use car coverings to reflect heat. You can search “aluminet” to bring up economical brands.
Keep car running with A/C turned on
A student and their dog pause on a bench on a Training Trek!
Training Treks - Around Town Excursions for Level 2+
Continue your dog’s learning with group drop-in practices around Fort Collins!
If your dog has passed the Intermediate Skill Check in Level 2, join us for fun & practical real-life mini-adventures in our Training Treks drop-in classes! Training Treks are drop-in adventures around town to practice and improve the skills covered in our core classes!
Training Treks Prerequisites: Your dog has passed the Intermediate Skill Check at Level 2 group class & your dog is comfortable and non-aggressive towards other people and dogs that you may encounter in public settings. Note: Small Dog Training Trek Prerequisite is just having attended at least one other class with us at any level.
Here are a few Benefits of our Training Treks Drop-In Classes:
Practice skills you learned in class in a variety of real-life environments! These excursions are scheduled around Fort Collins anywhere dogs are permitted, including local dog-friendly stores, breweries & patios, hiking trails, urban areas, and more.
Connect with other folks who enjoy being out and about training their dogs! We’re all joining these excursions to have fun and enjoy time with each other as we support each other to advanced skills with our dogs!
Get ongoing support from the Summit training team - without the time commitment of a weekly class. These drop-ins are for supporting you, answering your questions, and helping you troubleshoot challenges along the way!
If you want to check the planned location for a Training Trek date ahead of time, you can email us at admin@summitdogtraining.com. If you register, your instructor will email you location details a few days before your Training Trek.