Clean Run - July 2017 - 26

As your dog gets better at turning, you can add multiple
turns in a single direction before rewarding as long as you
don't lose motivation. Doing this helps to make sure that he
isn't just guessing which direction you are asking for. But you
need to always be sure to still mix in a heavy dose of single
turns with rewards to keep the dog motivated.

Keep your sessions fun and connected.
Try never to work your dog to fatigue

Exercise 2

and end your training sessions while

This is my adaptation of a Susan Garrett drill. The fun part
here is really proofing the dog to make sure he is not guessing which way he should turn.

your dog is still excited to work.

1. Sitting in a chair, place the dog between your legs facing
away from you. Have treats in both hands. Reward the dog
for sitting straight until he is comfortable.
2. Still with treats in both hands, rest your arms on your legs.
Tap your dog on the right shoulder with your right hand
and reward your dog as he turns toward you. Repeat.
3. Tap your dog on the left shoulder with your left hand and
reward your dog as he turns toward you. Repeat.
4. Continue to repeat the drill, this time saying the cue "Right"
or "Left" before you tap your dog's shoulder. Very quickly
you will no longer need to tap your dog on the shoulder;
you can simply use the verbal.
5. As an alternative to handing the dog a treat, occasionally
throw the treat in the direction you have asked him to turn
and release him to get it.

Go for quality, not quantity.

Progressing to Other Ground Games
There are many ways to help build understanding for rights
and lefts before and after you begin adding the cues to your
agility work. These are more casual drills but I use them a lot
once my dog has an understanding of his verbal turns. The
more frequently you practice these skills the better the dog
will get at them.

All you need for this drill is toy drive and a "Get it" cue
that releases your dog to a toy. Place some toys around
your training space. Call your dog to you. While he is
coming toward you and facing you, turn him to a particular toy by cueing him to either "Right, Get it" or "Left,
Get it!" If he turns the wrong way, call him back, change
your position slightly to vary the drill, and try again. If
he turns correctly he earns the toy. Remember to keep
the mistakes fun. I usually use a cheery "Get over here,
you!" I don't want to tell him he is right when he is
wrong, but I want him to know he was without diminishing his enthusiasm for the game.

Another game I play once my dog begins to be proficient at his turns is to give him a turn cue and then as he
turns in the correct direction I will throw a toy on about a
90-degree angle. This is similar to the last game but there
are no toys on the ground.

When you ask the dog for a right turn and reward him, while
he is still looking at your right hand ask for another right. He
should turn his head slightly farther to the right, not flip to
look left. Randomize all the training, rotating between multiple rights and lefts and singles.
I do tell my dog when he is wrong when he makes a mistake.
I say "Bummer dude" and then we begin again. But do not
use a correction if your dog does not stay engaged and enjoying the session.

Training Keys!
Keep your sessions fun and connected. Try never to work
your dog to fatigue and end your training sessions while
your dog is still excited to work. Go for quality, not quantity.
If you struggle with any of the training always give your dog
a break while you figure out how to work through your issues-don't try to work through problems on the fly.
Above all, have a blast training with your buddy! D

Stacy Winkler has been teaching agility for over 15 years. She is located in Vista, California. For more information on the training concepts in this article and other training
articles you can visit her blog: https://stacywinklerblog.com. To learn about her Foundation, Connection and Drive, Jump and Contact Foundation online classes, inquire
about seminars, or contact Stacy directly, go to http://www.stacywinkler.com.
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Clean Run | July 17

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