Clean Run Magazine - June 2008 - 15

place him back in position. Take a few steps away, then return to him and place a treat on his target, then release and play. At this point, you can repeat the same steps on the large dogwalk, starting at the beginning of backchaining. Alternatively, you could opt to continue your training on the small dogwalk. I personally like to train as many skills as possible on the small dogwalk before progressing to the larger one. It is safer for the dog and helps build confidence. Training the A-frame Follow all of the above steps for the A-frame, starting with the obstacle set to a height of 3' or lower. Use the contact channel guides as shown to prevent your dog’s rear from sliding to one side or the other. Once you have completed all the steps, and your dog is doing his job quickly and confidently, raise the A-frame in 6" increments until he is performing the full-height obstacle. Contact channel guides on the A-frame. What’s Next? At this point, your dog is racing across the entire dogwalk (either the small version or the large version) and A-frame from straight approaches with speed and confidence, using a visible target (with pre-loaded food) on each attempt. He is also holding his position regardless of your movement and/or handling position. Next month’s article will address developing independent plank approaches by calling and sending from a variety of angles and distances. It will also cover weaning off targets and proofing for contact reliability under exciting conditions. In the meantime, keep playing the Hold-the-Contact game. D Using resistance during Hold-theContact game. Proofing with a ball in the contact position. Hold-the-Contact Game This game can be started before your contact training or it can be done concurrently with backchaining the obstacle. You can also play it throughout your dog’s career to reinforce and maintain good “magnetic attraction” to the correct contact position. The game teaches your dog that the two-on/two-off position is a rewarding place to be, and teaches him to work hard to remain in the position until released. What’s more, it also provides the foundation for weaning off targets and for proofing for exciting or distracting conditions. You can play the game on any size dogwalk or A-frame, or any size ramp. With your dog on leash, pick him up and place him in the two-on/two-off position with a target on the ground in front of him. Take a step away and calmly tell him Good Place. Then step back and place a treat on the target. Release with a Come command and play. If successful, gradually add to the difficulty by asking your dog to hold the position longer and with increased distractions such as sudden movements, running, and cheering. If at any time your dog releases himself, mark the event with an Uh-oh, place him back in position, then praise and release. Make it more likely for your dog to succeed on the next try by lessening the challenge. Next, while your dog is in the two-on/two off position, apply gentle pressure with your leash backward, forward, and to either side. Release the pressure, praise, and reward him on the target for bracing himself, then release and play. Next, drop a toy (or food container for dogs that prefer food) a few feet from the end of the contact. If he waits, praise and then immediately release to the toy with a command to Get It! Play with him using the toy or open the food container to give him a treat. Progress to throwing the toy, then throwing it while cheering excitedly. When your dog has caught on to the game you can begin to work off leash, provided that you can prevent your dog from rewarding himself. Up the ante—throw several toys, have another dog and handler play nearby—use your imagination! When your dog is grabbing his position with gusto and a big smile on his face as if to say, “You can’t fool me,” you will have achieved your goal. Jane Simmons-Moake is one of the world’s foremost agility trainers. A top-winning competitor, veteran judge, and award-winning author, Jane has also competed internationally as a member of the 1996 and 1997 AKC U.S. World Championship Agility Teams and was the 20" National Champion at the 2006 AKC Agility Invitational. Contact Jane through her website at www.flashpaws.com. June 08 | Clean Run 1

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Clean Run Magazine - June 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - June 2008