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Engagement Skills with Forrest Micke
Locked: You must purchase this stream to view it Engagement Skills with Forrest Micke
5 stars (32 reviews)
2 hr, 22 min
December 12, 2014
What is Engagement? Why is it the first behavior we should teach every new dog, be it an 8 week old puppy or an 8 year old rescue dog? These are questions new that every new dog owner needs to ask and understand. In its simplest form, engagement means your dog is totally focused on you, it wants to be with you, and it wants what you have. What you have is either his high value food reward or a high value toy reward. The picture of a dog that is engaged is a happy dog that is focused on his trainer and is inviting his owner to play. Dogs that are fully engaged ignore outside distractions. They ignore other people, places and things. A fully engaged dog will ignore other dogs or distractions in any environment his owner choses to place him or her in. If you are a trainer who wants to develop a relationship with your dog where the dog looks forward to your training sessions then you need to become a student of engagement. In this DVD, Forrest Micke will teach anyone how to get engagement with their dog. You will learn how to keep your dog engaged during training sessions and how to put engagement on CUE. Learning to put engagement on cue should be the foundation to every dog training program. That’s why we here at Leerburg will spend a long time working on engagement exercises in different places under varying levels of distraction before we move on to more advanced behaviors. For those who are still not sure what engagement is, go to almost any local dog training school or class and look at the dogs as they take the class. The last place on earth these dogs want to be is where they are. Very few of the dogs in these courses are engaged with their owners. It’s not rocket science to understand that a dog in this frame of mind is engaged and enjoys what he or she is doing. This will make the training process easier and more fun for both the dog and the handler
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Engagement Skills with Forrest Micke

Uploaded on December 12, 2014 • 2 hr, 22 min
What is Engagement? Why is it the first behavior we should teach every new dog, be it an 8 week old puppy or an 8 year old rescue dog?

These are questions new that every new dog owner needs to ask and understand.

In its simplest form, engagement means your dog is totally focused on you, it wants to be with you, and it wants what you have. What you have is either his high value food reward or a high value toy reward.

The picture of a dog that is engaged is a happy dog that is focused on his trainer and is inviting his owner to play. Dogs that are fully engaged ignore outside distractions. They ignore other people, places and things. A fully engaged dog will ignore other dogs or distractions in any environment his owner choses to place him or her in.

If you are a trainer who wants to develop a relationship with your dog where the dog looks forward to your training sessions then you need to become a student of engagement. In this DVD, Forrest Micke will teach anyone how to get engagement with their dog. You will learn how to keep your dog engaged during training sessions and how to put engagement on CUE.

Learning to put engagement on cue should be the foundation to every dog training program. That’s why we here at Leerburg will spend a long time working on engagement exercises in different places under varying levels of distraction before we move on to more advanced behaviors.

For those who are still not sure what engagement is, go to almost any local dog training school or class and look at the dogs as they take the class. The last place on earth these dogs want to be is where they are. Very few of the dogs in these courses are engaged with their owners.

It’s not rocket science to understand that a dog in this frame of mind is engaged and enjoys what he or she is doing. This will make the training process easier and more fun for both the dog and the handler

Comments

Average rating:
5 star rating
4.7 stars (418 ratings)
Your rating:
Ferrisblue7321
February 15, 2024
Outstanding!
Caesar3
September 3, 2023
Just awsome
hoytd34
February 28, 2021
A lot of great information presented in an easy to follow format. I really enjoyed and learned a lot from this video.
SusanMeacham
May 31, 2020
Great information and easy speaking delivery to follow. Enjoyed this thoroughly and understand that it is a first step of action with your puppy! Thank you for training me to better train my dog. Highly recommend...
Spleefy
March 2, 2020
The presentation in this video is excellent. The information is basic but essential. I do feel the price is a little high for the content, but I still give it 5 stars. Why?

Well...

I feel that to bring out the best in my dog, I must first bring out the best in myself as his guardian and informal trainer.

This course has elevated my dog’s motivation to work/train. My dog "Spleefy" is also much more engaged and focused during training. I have high standards and will always give 100% and I expect no less from him during our training sessions. This video gave me the foundation on how to bring out the best in both myself AND my dog.

The lessons in the video has empowered me to be a better trainer to Spleefy. It also has empowered him. He is starting to learn that he can actually make things happen by working hard and pushing me. He is learning to take initiative during our training sessions by offering more of himself.

We push each other. We motivate and inspire each other. We work as a team, learning and growing together. We make mistakes here and there, but continue to learn from them, improve and succeed together.

Our relationship and bond has strengthened because of this course.

Forrest Micke is a fantastic instructor. He is a great role model for bringing out the best in your dog and getting the most out of your training sessions.

Forrest has a warm and inviting personality, which carries over to his approach to dog training. The love for his dog (particularly Elzer) and the bond they share as shown in this video is a prime example that any dog owner should strive to achieve.

Finally, this course has made see dog training in a different light. It has made me see what is most important in dog training--it is the relationship and bond that you share with your dog. This is something that will last a lifetime and that you cannot put a price tag on!

Thank you, Forrest!
vhugonyc
February 5, 2020
Very pleased with this! Getting way more excitement from my 18 month GSD! Thanks Forrest!
JPWindle
July 25, 2019
Extremely happy with the content in this video! The methods were explained in detail, but still simple enough to understand without trouble. After only 3 days or implementing the techniques, my dogs are so much more enthusiastic and happy to work and it’ll only increase the more we work!

Thanks so much Mr. Micke!
Opokki
April 29, 2019
Absolutely love this video.
AlRug
April 12, 2018
Wish I had watched this a year ago when I first got my rescue pup. He is fear aggressive and lots of these things we have learned with trainers but slightly skewed towards only that behavioral issue. Working on his engagement as a whole first would have expedited the whole process I think. While he has developed some focus I think we are going to spend a bit of each day going back to basics following this video. Tried the yes with movement this morning and it really worked. I think it confused him a bit as well, having to chase his reward but he was bouncing around extremely happy to engage. Well done Forrest.
sctsnpr31
November 23, 2017
Very nice refresher and perfect video for my new trainers to watch before moving on to more advanced concepts. Nicely done.
GypsyDog07
March 18, 2017
I give this video 5 stars with the clarification that it is meant as a starting point for beginner trainers. If you are intermediate, you'll already know most of the material, however I still gained some useful bits out of this to incorporate into my training routine. I don't feel that I necessarily got my $40 worth, but for someone who is looking for a starting point into this type of training, this is a good investment - which is why I gave it 5 stars.

My constructive criticism is that I feel that the description of what is covered in the video is lacking in clarity. I think adding at least a list of the titles of the video chapters would be helpful to prospective buyers so we can have a better idea of what we'll be learning, especially for those people who already have a foundation of training skills and are looking to expand - so we can be sure it contains what we are looking for.

Overall I'm happy with this video, I got some use out of it, I think other people, especially beginners, would also benefit from it, and the price is reasonable for people who need the foundation work it contains.
Ruskygal
February 23, 2017
As with all of the Leerburg DVD's I have purchased, I wish I would have known about this training years ago . . . employing Forrest's techniques, and those I learned from Michael Ellis, have been incredibly helpful in training my American Bulldogs and Pit Bull Terriers. I've been working on my engagement skills for about 2-3 months now- and though we still have a lot of proofing to do, it's incredible what a difference empowering the dog makes.
Purdy
January 5, 2017
Brilliant brilliant. Best video I have purchase. Clear understandable practical examples I love it. my Gsd is now switching on to a verbal cue it's worth every penny
BRoza00
December 24, 2016
This is a very good DVD. Very informative with great, strong vocabulary that helps you understand what you are doing. If you need a better relationship with your dog, I HIGHLY recommend this DVD.
HughIV
December 7, 2016
Great instruction just a heavy on the vocabulary at times.
Liberty1776
May 27, 2016
I found this video extremely useful, it laid out a really good foundation imprint and explained how, why and what to do with your pup. Having practiced what was covered in this video, I have noticed a huge improvement in my 14 week old puppy and her engagement with me. Turning her on into a session, and ending it with certain cues, the mark and reward, movement, luring, food chasing, everything covered in this video is AMAZING and will only benefit your relationship with your dog! The second video I purchased, after my first video 8 weeks to 8 months I was extremely disappointed with it and hesitant to buy another. Not even half way through this video I was very pleased with Forrest, his passion, and respect for the animal, the material covered was on point! If your a new dog handler or have experience with dogs but looking to build engagement and a stronger relationship with your K9 this video will please you!
christopherwsheppard
January 31, 2016
Easily on the best and immediately applicable videos on engagement.
Burkes
January 8, 2016
This is a fantastic video especially for those new to this style of training. Forrest loves what he does and this comes across in his videos and style of training. Great for those who may have been the boring style trainers of the past.
LucPrevost2009
December 17, 2015
While this is a very basic dvd that Forrest and Leerburg have put out, it's certainly does offer valuable information. Like Michael Ellis, Forrest is such a great speaker and teacher that it makes the learning process very easy to understand and to follow. While this may not be considered something for more advance Trainers, I personally think it still holds a lot to dog training.
alexnds05
December 2, 2015
I already had the previous Michael Ellis tapes on"The Power of Training Dogs with Food" I also already had the "Power of Training Dogs with Markers". I likewise already had the "Relationship Games" with Mark Keating. I also had the heeling video already. So for me, it was not a video that then led to viewing others, but instead, after having viewed the others, I still found value in this one.

There are two things that come across very clearly in the video: Forrest Micke is a great trainer and absolutely loves what he does and loves dogs. The second is that he trains in a very similar overall system as Michael Ellis, who is the overall "head trainer" I think in the Leerburg system of training videos. Although much of the material is very similar "The Power of Training Dogs with Food", with Michael and the "Power of training with Markers" with Ed, there are some differences that I found useful. For example, I learned the difference between food chasing versus luring. I learned the difference between a "release" command after each command ,versus a "release from the training session as a whole". In other words, I saw how a dog is put into a "working mind set". Although this is covered in other videos, there is a slight difference in explanation that helps pick up on some subtle details that only become obvious in watching this one rather than the other ones. In most Leerburg videos, once you watch them over and over, you pick up little details that you don't first notice. The work is easy to understand, but not always easy to do. Doing and understanding is very different and for those that trained toward competitive obedience will see that subtle things can help perfect a behavior.

The video helps to expand upon things that the Michael Ellis tapes already talks about. The Michael Ellis tape is more technical and covers more accurately words like "behavior bridge" and "back chaining" and so forth and while Forrest clearly knows all this as well, this video is less "techie" in language and thus, easier to grasp for the non professional trainer. Because it is shorter in length and less "techie" it is easier to watch BEFORE the Michael Ellis tapes or AFTER.

Overall, very good product. Leerburg puts out some of the best, very best material on the market. Props to Ed for using such excellent trainers in his business.

louiseracine
November 22, 2015
Way to slow.... lectures repeat the same simple concept over and over....

The Power of Training with Markers, The Power of Training Dogs with Food and The Power of Play Tug is by far a better investment of your time and efforts..

It was a grueling task to make myself watch this video to the end..

I was very disappointed.
nakitazmom
November 8, 2015
Excellent training concepts! I have already applied a number of these skills with my puppy and have had positive results!! Forrest is an awesome teacher/trainer!
sharoncrehan
July 7, 2015
Forrest is a great trainer his enthusiasm shines through and his easy going style make learning enjoyable. Well done.
MADEMERS
April 10, 2015
Amazing. I can't wait to start training my new puppy. She is coming home next week-end and I feel comfortable using this method.

I had worked with clicker before and I had great result and now this is sincerely what I was looking for and I will follow also the other dvd with Michael Ellis.

Thank you it is helpful to understand and clear.

Marie-Andrée
almieri
March 20, 2015
Excellent Teacher! Your passion for dogs clearly shows through as well as your knowledge in training for success.

Your Time and Knowledge are appreciated.

Thank You,
Bella (GSD) and Linda
andreimaxim
February 15, 2015
I think this video would be a lot better if it would be somehow bundled with the Michael Ellis' "The Power of Training Dogs with Food." It expands some subjects a bit more, like how to pick the right treats or how to properly deliver it and some of the mechanics that are visible in the Michael Ellis DVD but might go unnoticed by the casual observer.

As others might have noticed, Forrest is a student of Michael Ellis and he's teaching virtually the same thing. Forrest appears in at least one Michael Ellis DVD, so it's natural to see that they use a similar philosophy in dog training.
ManuelC
February 10, 2015
Congratulations to Micke Forrest, great teacher.
sseaner
January 15, 2015
I have several of the Leerburg Videos and this is one of the best yet. I am working with a new puppy and this video was the perfect starting point. Forrest does a great job of not only explaining the philosophy of engagement, but puts it to work on actual dogs in various environments for you to see. I have already put his ideas to work and have seen a huge change in my puppy's training sessions. I look forward to more of Forrest's videos and online courses.
robertholloway
January 3, 2015
Probably the best video I have seen for someone beginning their training journey. Forrest's enthusiasm and deep knowledge is a joy to watch. There is a wealth of really great information through the two and a half hours. I wish there was a small booklet with the DVD that contained a guide to content and timings. Outstanding. Rob
jamesde
December 21, 2014
Loved this material. Especially, the parts about offering behavior and all the info on cueing - dynamite. I took in a seminar with Forrest last year. He's a MUST SEE. Really glad Leerburg is teaming up with him.
abhibhas23
December 15, 2014
Great for beginners! Too repetitive for intermediate or advanced trainers. But overall a good video.
Forest seems like an enthusiastic and knowledgeable trainer from the Ellis school of thought!
rumorjocepe
December 14, 2014
Love this newest video. Forrest is so easy to understand. Definitely for the newbie or seasoned trainer. Lots to learn, re-learn or sharpen up on.
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