Movement Puzzles are pattern movement exercises where the dog moves between 2 bowls - the 2 bowl game - and does movement exercises independently from their human (no handler cues!) while moving from bowl to bowl.

The goal of these exercises is to provide dogs with an environment and structure to SAFELY - without pressure or distractions - practice things that may be difficult or challenging FOR THEM. Be it moving on elevated surfaces, stepping onto moving/tilting surfaces, move through tight spaces, run through noisy stuff, turning around in tight areas and so much more!

Because we are working with potentially scary and difficult things for the dog, Movement Puzzles are focused on the dog's choice, always giving them the option to say "No, this is too much right now", actually listening to it and making adjustments to the exercises on the go.

As a result, Movement Puzzles are a powerful training tool for BOOSTING your dog's CONFIDENCE in new situations, stress RESILIENCE,  BODY AWARENESS, COORDINATION, understanding of where their bodies are in space and how to control their movements while actually in motion and running!

Plus, because these exercises include spatial orientation and sensory awareness, their TRUE SUPERPOWER lies in helping dogs FEEL GROUNDED and learn to SELF REGULATE!

And yes, Movement Puzzles are fun DIY obstacle courses that your clients can set up in their living room or garden, using the equipment they can (mostly) find at home 😉

Benefits for you

The creator of Movement Puzzles, a Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer (CPCFT) and a dog training nerd passionate about helping our dogs move with precision, awareness and confidence, especially in situations that may otherwise be called "challenging".

I strongly believe that feeling comfortable in your own body, knowing how big you are, how your feet move and what your body is capable of, is a huge part of feeling more confident in general. Knowing that you can navigate the world and challenges with ease. You are safe. Your body has got this! It's easy!

I'm also passionate about bringing most up to date positive reinforcement training approaches into effective, practical exercises that ANYONE can learn to do with their dogs without having even heard about the theory or tricky-to-understand terms before.

That's why I LOVE teaching Movement Puzzles - exercises that have helped already more than 2000 dog training enthusiast like yourself to combine good training with confidence boosting coordination and body awareness training.

I live in Estonia, Europe, sharing my home with 2 Australian Shepherds Mr Bo and Life, and the memories of my past dogs - Australian Shepherds Kino and Pipi and a mixed hunting breed rescue Mirru. Who have all played a huge role in developing my skills as a trainer and Movement Puzzles!

My training ideas and Movement Puzzles have been featured in Fenzi Dog Sports Academy (where I'm also a proud alumni!), Susan Garrett's Agility Nation and numerous international dog training summits. 

Hélène Lawler

Fenzi Dog Sports Academy instructor, Founder of Shaping Chaos and Dog Sport Scholars

USBCHA herding Open handler & coach

"My dogs and I are absolutely loving Movement Puzzles, which have become my new go-to for building foundations."

This unique skills-building program is so powerful that I believe it has the potential to completely change how we train our dogs for work and sport. Not only that, it SHOULD change how we train for work and sport.

Mari’s systematic program teaches both dog and handler the skills we need for performance excellence without danger of over-arousal (hallelujah!), all the while building confidence and developing excellence in communication.

Her step-by-step lessons are clear, easy to follow, and well organized. Her insights are paradigm shifting. Which, as a lover of rabbit holes, is my favourite part of working with Mari. But my dog is very grateful too! Particularly since the exercises allow her to tell me exactly where I need to improve, and how.

Pat Gornall

"Well, having joined MP just a week ago, I am gobsmacked/delighted at how this course is giving confidence to Tilly, my just 1 year old lurcher cross."

She is innately suspicious of randomly moving inanimate objects, plus many, many other things and activities which I would normally overcome by shaping. However, with shaping, she doesn’t seem to carry forward any confidence gained and we always have to start over at each session.

In just ONE week, we have achieved a short puzzle with her walking over a platform, a piece of noisy wrapping paper, a flattened cardboard box and a wobble mat - all done with great enthusiasm and happiness 😁

We started with FF and RF targeting, on and backwards off the platform as instructed, and she’s never looked back. Waiting for the ground to dry up so we can move outside with some poles.

Amazing! Thank you so much.

Pike Bremer

"It is an excellent and genuinely kind program for handlers and dogs alike."

The dogs and I love the Movement Puzzles and find them rather addictive! They are so much fun and we learn something new with every monthly challenge. This program provides just the right amount of theory, great explanations plus example videos for each exercise, doable challenge spacing as well as helpful and prompt feedback to our videos by the knowledgeable team members.

Movement puzzles have made me a more patient trainer and my dogs race up to the training area as soon as I grab the cones as they indicate happy play time for them.

It is an excellent and genuinely kind program for handlers and dogs alike.

"The Movement Puzzles Certification is a brilliant way to deepen your understanding of this unique concept, no matter where you’re starting from. Whether you’re looking to create the best possible experience for your own dog or you’re a professional trainer wanting to bring Movement Puzzles into your classes, it helps you explore the hows, whys, and wherefores behind it all.

What I love most about this certification is that it’s not about titles or competition—it’s all about personal growth and understanding. It really focuses on the dog’s perspective, making sure their physical and emotional needs are at the heart of everything.

For me, it was a game-changer. I learned how to adapt exercises to suit my own dog’s physical limitations and how to break things down for my students. It also made me better at problem-solving. So now when things don't quite go to plan, I feel better equipped to figure out why and make sure my dog can succeed. Plus, it’s made me more creative and confident as a trainer!

If you’re unsure as to whether the Movement Puzzles Certification is right for you, go for it! The learning that you’ll take away is so useful and the whole process is super easy to follow. Honestly, it’s just such a great way to grow—both for you and your dog."

- Kim Smith from Leaps and Bounds dog training -
leapsandbounds.dog

Emma Lee

Lighten Up Dog Training

"When I first encountered Mari's Movement Puzzles for dog training, it was a game-changer."

What sets this programme apart is its thoughtfulness. Mari has anticipated every possible challenge and provides strategies for guardians to overcome them. The monthly challenges are exceptional and cater to a variety of dog backgrounds, including sensitive working-line dogs. This means I very rarely need to make individual adaptations or suggestions for my clients' dogs – and when I’ve needed to, it’s simply been to say to re-visit Mari’s guidance.

It’s also been useful for fitness and recovery as well as confidence building. For many of the dogs I work with, they seem much more comfortable navigating the world. Having predictable patterns has also helped those dogs who need a bridge into other environments to help them settle. So often, stillness is an impossible challenge. A few short puzzles in new spaces seems to remind the dogs I work with that they make the decisions about what their body does, not the world around them.

Having worked with dogs for over a decade and seeking continual development, I can confidently say that Movement Puzzles was a true lightbulb moment in my career. I very much look forward to seeing The Moving Canine as it develops. 

"Mari has a fresh approach to developing the underlying coordination and balance needed for dog sports...

... that dovetails beautifully with current training concepts such as loopy training, performing in flow, slow is the new fast, and forward focus. In a warm, engaging manner, she pulls together these bits and pieces into a cohesive whole. And my dogs love the exercises!"

Kathryn Kuhlen, USA

"Mari’s Movement Puzzle class was a surprising adventure into a new way of training and thinking."

I worked with my then 10-month old BC pup and my 5 year old field Labrador. It was enlightening to observe their balanced movement progress, development of body awareness for performance of the challenges, and mental acuity to solve the puzzles. My observation skills improved and I consequently became a more effective partner for them.

Mary Young, USA

Bobbie Lyons

CCFT, KPA CFT, Program Director CSCC, KPA Faculty

"From my first exposure to movement puzzles I was super intrigued with the concept and now I use it often for so many different things.  "

I love it for puppies and old dogs. It is a great way to teach clicker mechanics to new students. It is a great way to teach proprioception to dogs and for dogs to learn and think at a distance from their handler.
I continually find more and more uses for movement puzzles. Thank you Mari for sharing this concept.  It will always be part of what I teach.