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Fun discussion, @Sandy – I think it depends a bit, too, on the comfort-level of the instructor (you!) as to how formal you want to be. Certainly it’s good to have goals for the course – so that you can sell it, and tell folks what to expect. However, a few summers (pre-Covid) I was successfull in hosting a drop-in Out and About series. Folks had to have had a basic class with me -either my 6 week puppy class or my Level 1 Family Manners – and be approved to attend. I only wanted social dogs who were safe in public. They’d meet me in a different location each week – we used parks, town centers with pet-friendly stores, hiking areas, etc. We’d start each session with a show -and- tell – “What have you been working on?” and oftentimes, people would demo a trick – then everyone would try to teach their dog that trick while I coached them. Then we’d walk around and use the environment for training leash manners, stays and polite greetings. The class was VERY popular! I had a regular group who came almost every week. Here are a few photos from those days – some of my very favorite classes to teach and many of these people became long-time friends.
