Clean Run Magazine - June 2007 - 32

Needed Skills The dog must be trained to run on the handler’s right or left side without changing sides, spinning, or heading the handler. In situations where the handler is ahead of the dog coming off a contact, the dog cannot be permitted to pass the handler unless he has been told to do so. If the dog lacks this skill, he will be more likely to anticipate the next obstacle, often choosing his own path. Not only can this behavior incur an off-course penalty, but this anticipation can detract from his focus in performing the contact correctly. Also, if your dog stays behind you when you are ahead, it makes front crosses off the bottom of the contact easy. On the other hand, if the dog surges past the handler, a side change in front of the contact is very difficult, if not impossible. Independent obstacle performances are not just assets; they are a must with running contacts. Judges frequently put discrimination challenges after contacts.To handle these, the dog must perform the contact while the handler moves to a different location on course. Furthermore, it is often necessary to handle a sequence or obstacle before the dogwalk or A-frame at a distance so that you are able to get to the end of the contact and handle the next sequence accurately. Your dog must understand verbal directional cues. For example, if the handler is behind and cannot use motion to signal the course path, the dog must move forward, away from, or toward the handler on a verbal cue. A well-trained turn away command and a Go On command are required for negotiating sequences where you cannot beat the dog to the end of the board to indicate direction. Other Considerations In making your decision to train running contacts, keep in mind that it is possible to train a running A-frame and a stopped dogwalk. This choice is a good option for slower handlers with fast dogs because it is easier to get to the end of the A-frame as opposed to the dogwalk at speed. The following should also be considered. Bold and Brave: Running contacts are not for the faint of heart. On the A-frame, your dog may be airborne over the top. For the dogwalk, he must run flat out without slowing. Extreme balance and coordination are required. The handler must also be committed to this level of performance. TrainingTime: You must also consider the time requirement. Moving contacts take longer to train than stopped contacts. There are more steps to the training process. Remember, you must train both extension and collection. A stopped contact requires only collection. Furthermore, a stopped contact is easy to visualize and is often easier for the dog to understand. Stopping and waiting may not be fun for the dog, but it makes sense. 32 With running contacts, the trainer must analyze—while in motion and while viewing the performance from different angles—where the dog’s stride is causing him to hit the contact. This skill takes time to learn. And dogs in the foundation stages of training should be trained on equipment at least four to five times each week. Type of Dog: Running contacts can work for every dog. Size and natural stride length do not matter. What does matter is the dog’s level of impulse control. This method requires just as much if not more impulse control as stopped contacts. Some highdrive dogs may lose all control when presented with the option of running flat out across a contact. Racing across a contact and striding into a specific location at the end of the board, and understanding that they will continue their motion, requires just as much mental control as stopping. Age: Although puppies can do the initial touch board training, the balance required for contact performance means the dog should be at least six months or older depending on his physical maturity before starting raised plank work. Clean Run | June 07
Clean Run Magazine - June 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - June 2007
