Online Disc Dog Training with a Pawsitive Vybe – Zooming In to Focus on Discrete Skills
I've been doing online disc dog training for more than 15 years. @PawsitiveVybe is our dog training studio that we created 13 years ago, and we've been pioneers on the distance learning front.
It's been a long tough slog.
Creating & Grooming a Market
When we started this endeavor, the idea of disc dog training as a profession was absurd. Nobody paid for disc dog training. We did pet stuff and dog sports for a few years, and then moved on to disc dog training as a more singular focus.
Our foundation class has made serious inroads into the disc dog community, largely because I opened up almost all of the content to the public.
Our site is pretty massive, and when you take class, you essentially get access to me and a focused lesson plan.
Finally Mature?
Last week at the UpDog International Finals – #UpDIF2018 – a friend mentioned that he thought I ought to be doing more focused and easily marketed classes.
Up until this time, it wasn't really possible to do this. There was not enough knowledge out there for people to have the understanding of what exactly is that they need to know.
Now, 13 years later, I think that market we've been working so hard at has finally matured. We're competing with other trainers for camp and seminar space; a huge frustration, but a strong indicator that the market is mature.
Organizing the Classes
Like usual, I'm using a mindmap application, XMind. It's a wonderful app for big picture thinkers.
I've got 8 tentative categories that are going to house each class:
- Sequence Building
- Tracking & Catching
- Vaulting Concepts
- Transitions
- Flatwork
- Flipping
- Engagement
- Leaping
Repeated Schtick Format
Each of these 3 classes, tentatively named: Terms of Engagement, Whoa! Easy Cheetah, and More Please... will have the same exact structure – the standard PVybe foundation for that category – only the focus will be different.
I'm a Splitter, Not a Lumper
I'm leaning towards a Behaviors and Concepts split within the class format. Essentially the practical training and behavior stuff over on the right, and the top level and foundational information covered in the concepts section:
This is always a tough split in dog training instruction – separating the conceptual from the practical and behavioral, but I think given the framework of our schtick and the simplicity and elegant focus of the discrete lessons; it's gonna work.
What's Next?
Next thing to do is to put some bones on a couple of these discrete, focused lessons and figure out how to qualify the value of such a small class in a simple sample quiz or fun survey. I'm using Wordpress and Learndash.
I've also got to price these things out for a yearly subscription on an al a carte basis and on a whole shebang package basis.
Then we've got to film the video and tidy up the content.
Sounds easy, right? lol