Clean Run - January 2016 - 32

to which way to turn the dog around the jump (just two
options: left or right.) and which turn cue to use (you have
only trained just so many). If you can't make all your decisions in a 10-obstacle sequence in just a few minutes ask
your instructor (not your buddy) what you should to do
about not being able to make these decisions. Getting a
handle on how to make your decisions is critical. You want
to get through your decisions as soon as possible to leave a
good three to four minutes for phase 3.
Phase 3, The oh-so-important precision walk-through:
In this phase you are focused like a warrior and imagining
your dog's every step as you do your dress rehearsal. Pay
attention to where you are looking. You want to have your
head in a position that allows you to use your peripheral
vision the most, keeping one eye on the imaginary dog and
one eye on the dog's path. Don't worry, we will cover decision making on course again.

Getting the Most Out of a Training Session

Use your private training time wisely as well. Don't wear
your dog out messing around too much before you get to

your training list. Remember to warm up your dog first.
Don't save the most difficult stuff for last, and think in terms
of both physical and mental difficulty. Work on the more
demanding skills (different for different dogs) in the first
half of the session. Remember to answer all of your dog's
questions as they come up. That is why you are there, to
teach your dog what to do in all scenarios. This includes the
ones that come up during the training session, not just the
ones you set out to work on that day.
Sometimes you may feel like you didn't drive and put the effort into setting up your jumps just to work on stays or toy
control. But if you don't get that homework done first, sweeping it under the carpet while you train could end up being a
problem later. Your dog could be learning that during agility
work those pesky little details aren't so important, when in
fact they can end up being critical to the big picture.
Heaven knows you're spending a boatload of cash, probably
driving more than you would prefer, and I'll bet missing a
movie or two with your sweetie. You owe it to yourself to
be as efficient with your training as you can be in order to
progress at a satisfying rate. D

Sandy Rogers has been teaching obedience and agility since 1991. She founded ACE Dog Sports in San Francisco, California in 1999. Her dogs have competed in all
the USDAA and AKC National Championship finals multiple times in four jump heights. Sandy and Jack Russell Terrier Quill competed on Team USA at the World Agility
Open in 2011, 2012, and 2013. They won the individual gold and silver medals in 2012 and bronze in 2013. Quill won the USDAA Grand Prix in 2013, placed third in 2007,
and placed second at the 2012 and 2014 AKC Nationals. Border Collie Brink placed third in the Grand Prix in 2000 and won 16" Speed Jumping in 2007 and 2008 and
Performance Grand Prix in 2007. Sandy has two DVDs available: Training the Extreme Dogs and One Jump Two Jump. Her new video, Feet First, will be released in 2015.

Why this DVD?
Because it's only fair that if you're
going to train your dog's mind to
focus and work optimally, you
should do the same for yourself.
Getting rid of YOUR mindset
gremlins can have a big impact
on your dog's performance.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - January 2016