Beyond The Breed's;
Canine Functional Characters Workshop
Heather Stevens ( author and founder of Beyond the Breed ) will be spending two days teaching you all about the different types of Functional Characters, helping you to get the best of them depending on their character and understanding group dynamics.
Saturday 24 & Sunday25 October 2026
9am-5pm
Early Bird Prices:
Handler Place - £305* (Early Bird Ticket Price)
Spectator Places - £96* (Early Bird Ticket Price)
Includes Light Lunch and Refreshments throughout the day
Enhance your Canine Partnership
Wouldn't it be awesome to properly understand why your dog does what it does based on their own individual Functional Character. This workshop aims to provide a deeper understanding of Functional Characters and help you determine the functional character of your current dog/s.
Not only know why they do what they do, why they react differently to different dogs, but how to properly train them, read their body language, and what key skills is best to train them based on their Functional Character. For example for a Defender and a Hunter, 99.9% Recall is a must!
In this 2-day workshop, Heather Stevens will explore all the Functional Characters, explain the different things to look for between each Functional Character, which characters bring about the best dynamics and much more.
Every dog is born with a Functional Character.
Once you understand your dogs Character, you can help prevent, resolve or identify behavioural problems that may arise within a group of dogs, as well as knowing how best to train them.
What are Functional Characters:
Functional Characters explain the social interactions and dynamics of any group of dogs.
Functional character's can help explain how each individual dog varies in their responses to the environment & situations, people and other dogs, their bounce back and resilience to stressful or scary situations and how best to handle them.
Understanding your dogs functional character can also help you to understand and you yourself can create anxiety and tension within a multi-dog household.
Co-existing with is dog is about a partnership, a co-operative way of living and having complete trust with each other. There are so many levels and layers to explore how to support a dog in living their best life with you.
When it comes to individual level support and understanding, one layer of exploring who a dog is and what they need to feel comfortable, fulfilled, understood and content with their life is their functional character.
A dog may have a specific functional character, or characters that can, in part, shape and influence who they are, how they respond, what needs they have and how best to support them in their life.
*By identifying & understanding your dogs individual Functional Character, it also
- explains the dynamics of group composition & how we can create conflict & tension in a multi-dog household
- determines how they socialise & their social interactions with other dogs & people
- explains why it may not be a good idea to breed from them
(*taken from the Beyond the Breed Book)
About the Workshop
Handler and Dog Spaces are limited so early booking is essential if you wish to come along with your dog/s.
Location: Paws & Play Gundogs Training Ground, SK17
If you'd prefer to pay in 3 monthly instalments - drop me an email by pressing the appropriate button on the right.
This 2-day weekend workshop will be interesting & fun for all, as it will introduce you to canine functional characters.
- what they are and give you some examples of how to identify the functional character of your dog
- help you determine your own dogs Functional Character for a deeper understanding of your pet.
- how you can support them further by knowing their Functional Character, so you can enhance your ability to tailor their training & socialising
- how their characters can impact group dynamics
- and how to understand certain behaviours they may exhibit as a result of their functional character.
This 2-day workshop will be split.
Day 1: Discovery; Unlock the secrets of your dog's innate character.
- You'll be introduced to the 9 Functional Characters and discover which one resonates with your dog. Learn about each Functional Character through engaging discussions and hands-on workbooks.
- Practical individual assessments to identify your dog's unique character.
- Discover why diet has a significant impact on behaviour, and explore why what often appears as aggression is not truly aggression.
- Whether your dog is bold, cautious, playful, or protective, this workshop will give you the tools to truly understand their natural instincts and behaviours.
Day 2: Development; Take your understanding to the next level.
- Reflect on how understanding your dog's functional character has changed your perspective and approach.
- Grouping and real-time observations of canine interactions, with focused analysis on communication styles and body language.
- Targeted group observations to clarify any lingering questions or uncertainties.
- Wrap-up with refreshments, open discussion, book signing and feedback forms.
- This workshop is designed to deepen your connection with your dog and sharpen your understanding of their natural instincts.
Strategies on how best to train, socialise & live with each individual dog at a Functional Character level of those attending the workshop.
There will be an Evening Social Meal for those wishing to stay on and chat more about dogs (haha) and whatever else on the Saturday evening from 530pm at The Anchor Inn, Tideswell. This will be at an additional individual-based cost.
