Wag It Games

11/25/2023

Come join the training and FUN!
https://www.sumacgrant-johnson.com/classes-in-ossipee/

11/10/2023

BUILDING BLOCKS FOR GREAT INSTRUCTORS
NO MATER WHAT YOU TEACH THIS SEMINAR IS FOR YOU!!
April 20 & 21, Manchester, CT
https://www.wagitgames.com/instructor-seminars

11/06/2023

My November classes in Ossipee are open for registration. Come join the training and FUN! Wag It Games included in all classes.
https://www.sumacgrant-johnson.com/classes-in-ossipee/

08/31/2023

Looking for some economical Sniff It containers. Wag It participant Joshlyne offered up this great idea. Pencil cases with a few holes drilled into the top. Right now many stores have these on sale. Micheals stores has these for 1.99 and Staples has some at 99 cents.

08/31/2023

Instructor Enrichment Seminar
November 4 & 5, 2023
Center Conway, NH
CEUS offered by IAABC & CCPDT
https://www.wagitgames.com/instructor-seminars

08/02/2023

WAG IT GAMES INSTRUCTOR NEWSLETTER WAS JUST SENT OUT

Wag It Games is growing and improving. Shadow Skills, Smart Dog Games and Sniff updated. New Instructor resources and training. Details below

07/12/2023

Sets of Shadow Skills courses are now available on the Wag It Games website to download and print.
Have Fun with the new shortened courses.

THE ALL 2023 NEW SHADOW SKILLS Classes and games are offered by licensed Wag It Games Instructors. Training and exercises to enhance connection, build loose leash and off leash skills. *NEW ALL LICENSED INSTRUCTORS ARE ELIGIBLE TO OFFER TESTS. NEW EXERCISES AND SHORTENED COURSES. CLASSES Make heelin...

03/10/2023

Next round of Wag It Games classes starting in Center Conway!

03/06/2023

Training Tube Rolling.
A quick little video with Ms Sparrow. Wag It Games training is great for when the snow is deep outside.

02/08/2023

EXCITING NEWS FOR INSTRUCTORS AND PLAYERS!
I will be sending out an email to licensed instructors within a couple of days.
https://www.wagitgames.com/shadow-games/

12/14/2022

This fabulous 5 all passed! Novice Sniff It Games test. Two completed their Wag 1 Title. Congratulations!

12/08/2022

Some fun with Smart Dog Games training!

10/28/2022

In Albany NY to teach a two day instructor enrichment seminar. I predict a lot of fun this weekend.

10/23/2022

Smart Dog Games class with Sumac Grant-Johnson, Certified Professional Dog Trainer.
Class starts Oct 26, 5:30, Telling Tails Training Center, Center Conway.
https://www.sumacgrant-johnson.com/classes-in-ctr-conway/

09/16/2022

Only a couple of spots left
October 29 & 30, 2022 (9:00-5:00 each day)
GOOD CHOICE DOG TRAINING, Albany, NY
https://www.wagitgames.com/instructor-seminars/

09/12/2022

WAG IT GAMES Workshops are coming to Concord, NH the second Thursday of the month. Registration is now open for the Oct 13 workshops. Register now to reserve your spot.
https://www.sumacgrant-johnson.com/classes-in-concord/

Concord classes offered at No Monkey Business Dog Training The second Thursday of each month. 254 North Maine Street, Unit M, Concord, NH CLASS DETAILS BELOW OCTOBER 13, 10:00-11:30 SMART DOG GAMES $60.00 REGISTER NOW OCTOBER 13, 12:00-1:30 SHADOW GAMES $60.00 REGISTER NOW OCTOBER 13, 2:00-3:00 BEGI...

09/01/2022

Want to become an instructor or need a boost to invigorate, reinspire and enhance your teaching skills. This seminar is for every instructor teaching any type of classes.
https://www.wagitgames.com/instructor-seminars/

08/15/2022

Love this explanation of the traits of the hound breeds. When considering a breed of dog as a pet it is important to consider who they really are and if it fits one’s desires/needs. I absolutely adore sight hounds and would love to own one but at this point in my life they do not fit me.

If you are not a hound person, it may be hard to understand, but this says it all…

A basic understanding...Regarding your hound dog that I think most people miss.

Hounds do not believe that they need you. You are a convenience - like a favorite coffee cup or a favorite pair of shoes. If the cup is broken or the shoes are lost, we can get along just fine.

Let me explain:
Other dogs like Labs, Shepherds, herding breeds, and a host of others, are bred to work WITH man; neither can do their work without the other. Even the worst behaved Lab cares when mom and dad are annoyed. It is in their DNA to make man happy.
Hounds...not so much.

Hounds have been bred to be taken out to the edge of the woods or field and be let loose to go out and do what they do with NO INSTRUCTION from the hunter or handler. They go out and do their thing, all on their own. They make their own decisions and do their own work. And when that work is done and they have found their quarry, they command/call the hunter to come to them with those beautiful voices. (Who is working for whom in that scenario?)

Do you see how your hound thinks differently?

Life with a Hound is far more like having a spouse than a dog. It is far more of a "cooperative effort" with all the give and take that implies. Hounds are not going to do what you say just because you have said it. You are secondary to their desire. There has to be something in it for them. There has to be a trade off. If there is no reward or benefit for the Hound, the Hound cares little what you are asking him/her to do. People incorrectly refer to this as being stubborn - or worse, stupid. Hounds are actually neither of those things - they are just independent and cunning. They prioritize things differently than do other breeds. They prioritize differently and *you* are not always their priority.
This is EXACTLY AS THEY SHOULD BE.
They were bred to be this way.
It is all necessary to be a Houndy Dawg.

When working with a Hound you have to always be thinking:
How do I make myself the priority?
What do I have to give this dog to make me more important than what it smells - or wants? (and do not expect that anything will ever be 100% successful every time - always be looking for your Hound to act like a Hound.)
We humans always think we are in charge of things. We think that we are top of the chain, the head honchos ... and we naturally approach training our dogs and living with our dogs this way - as though we are in charge.
Your Hound doesn't see it that way.
Your Hound - at best - sees you as a family member or as a sibling (if you are very fortunate - as a parent). Do you walk into your sister or brother's house, start barking orders and they hop to?

Mostly your Hound sees you as a good friend. And what do we do with our friends? When a friend does something for us, we return those favors. There is give and take. When a friendship is out of balance - when one friend takes and takes but does not give - the friendship suffers. It is okay for one friend to be the strong friend - the dominant friend in the partnership -- -but it is *always* a partnership.

Hounds are happiest when their humans are humble.

⭐️💞Not my writing but it is so true of the Hound group and think this should be printed out and given to any body who is wanting to buy a hound and has not had experience with them💞⭐️
📸 Anderson Studio

08/13/2022

Wag It Camp is almost here. The trailer is packed and ready to go! Packed full of fun and games. I can't wait to see everyone. (A couple of things were added after this photo)

07/31/2022

Just made a dozen paw targets out of a scrap of rigid foam insulation.

07/30/2022

One of the scents I use frequently in the Sniff It, Water Search game is tea. It inspired me to use some new containers. This is going to be kind of fun!

07/23/2022

Want to become a Wag It Games instructor? This is a great place to start. Already a Wag It Games instructor come get inspired!
https://www.wagitgames.com/instructor-seminars/

07/22/2022

I am very excited to announce that I will be teaching Wag It Games at No Monkey Business Dog Training, Concord. The second Thursday of each month I will be offering mini workshops.
First workshops are Oct 13
Smart Dog Games, Shadow Games & Sniff It Games
Registration is now open. Space will be limited.
Don't miss out. Register now!
https://www.sumacgrant-johnson.com/classes-in-concord/

05/25/2022

Had some fun teaching a one hour Wag It Games Smart Dog workshop. Here are a few highlights.

05/24/2022

What a great weekend at the Instructor Enrichment seminar. We had great instructors and dogs learning, trying and then teaching using new methods using Wag It Games. These instructors have some awesome skills and will help them take their students towards their goals while having a great time.
I enjoyed every minute with them.

05/05/2022

Don't miss out. Reserve your spot now!
https://wagitcamps.com/

04/26/2022

OFFER CLASSES YOUR STUDENTS RAVE ABOUT!
CEUS JUST INCREASED TO 16 by the IAABC For more information and registration https://www.wagitgames.com/instructor-seminars/

03/22/2022

INSTRUCTOR TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT
May 21 & 22 (9:00-5:00 each day) NO MONKEY BUSINESS, CONCORD, NH
With Sumac Grant-Johnson Wag It Games Founder & CPDT-KA
CEUs available.
A Seminar for every instructor!
Refresh and enhance your teaching skills, enrich your offerings and offer classes your students rave about.
This event is a combination of lecture and working time that includes simulated classroom situations, participating in activities and playing classroom games. Participants are encouraged to bring a dog to participate/play with them.

INCLUDED
Speed Teaching
Observer Interpret Act
Change The Picture
Compliment Marking
Classroom Games
Sample Curriculums
Wag It Games - Smart Dog Games, Sniff It Games and Shadow Skills
Title earning Opportunities (right in your classes)

MORE INFORMATION
https://www.wagitgames.com/instructor-seminars/

Instructor Seminars   Payment INSTRUCTOR TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT A Seminar for every instructor! Refresh and enhance your teaching skills, enrich your offerings and offer classes your students rave about. With Sumac Grant-Johnson Wag It Games Founder & CPDT-KA May 21 & 22 (9:00-5:00 each day) NO MO...

03/08/2022

"I'm so happy that you developed these games! I just love that we can do these games and work together without my dog having to stress out about being around other dogs and people."

A recent comment from a participant in the Smart Dog Games via video submission. I love that this option can be enjoyed by dogs and or handlers that are uncomfortable in a trial setting.

03/01/2022

Two of my Wag It Games, Beginning Sniff It classes wrapped up their 6 week session with their first blind searches. Blind searches include search areas with multiple look alike containers. The handler does not know the location of the scent. The dog must clearly indicate when they locate the scent. The handler raises their hand when the think the dog is correct. The teams rocked it! All handlers signed up for more Sniff It Fun!!

Find a Sniff It Instructor near you! https://www.wagitgames.com/