Clean Run Magazine - August 2007 - 63

© CLEAN RUN By Christina Hutchinson Letter to the Editor Dear Editors, I loved the article on the Magic Weave Pole Game, but I have one question for the author Stacy Winkler. When do you put the weaves on cue? If you don’t, I can see the dog heading straight for the weaves every time you go to a course! Thanks to CR for a great magazine and Stacy for a terrific article, Ann Hopp North Dakota Hi Ann, I am very glad you enjoyed the article! The time to add your new cue is when you feel great about your improved weave behavior. I would wait until your dog is seeking out the entry with drive and enthusiasm, and when you have proofed your weaves against body, vocal, toy, and treat distractions. Remember that you would like to have as little failure associated with your new cue as possible. So when you feel very confident in your dog’s performance and when he is consistently being successful, add the new cue. The best time to add the cue would be during a weave shaping session with your dog. When you would be willing to bet $20 that the dog will nail the entry, add the new cue as he heads toward the weaves. That way you are confident he will be correct and the new cue will be associated with success. Most important, don’t be premature in adding your new cue. You can have amazing weaves if you really work on adding great value to the weaves and if you make sure your dog has a very comprehensive understanding of the behavior. I hope that helps. Have fun weaving! Stacy Winkler www.pawsitiveactiontraining.com You Might Be an Agility Addict If you see the word “trail” and think it’s probably a typo of “trial” If you see a sign that says “Tent Sale!” and you get all excited, only to find out it’s a furniture store or car dealer having it (bummer) If you wait for the car in the lane beside you to go forward so you can get behind it and think to yourself “I just did a rear cross!” If you see something in the road and determine which way to go around it by thinking of your car’s most efficient path If you brought a tape measure and/or dog crates with you when you shopped for your last vehicle If you bought your last home due to how much lovely, flat land it has (and possibly had to explain to the realtor several times that “Yes, flat means not only flat, but level”) If you have any agility equipment inside your home If you’ve ever had to call Clean Run and after you told them your name, they recognized you immediately If you have twice or even three times as many crates, bowls, leashes, and so on, than you do dogs If you have baggies in every cubbyhole of your vehicle, every pocket of your training bags, or find multiple baggies in your pants pockets on a regular basis (except when you need them) If you’ve ever emptied your washing machine to find a baggie or two that you missed when you checked pockets If you’ve ever excitedly shopped in a camping store for yourself, but have never camped a day in your life If on your birthday, or any holiday where gifts are exchanged, you’ve received a Clean Run gift certificate, magazine subscription, or better yet, actual agility equipment or paraphernalia If you ever dream of winning the lottery so you can buy a place to do agility (This is even worse if you don’t even play the lottery—you have to play to win!) And last, but not least: If you’ve ever woken up smiling after a good night’s rest in which you were dreaming of you and your dogs (past and present) running agility on the most beautiful of days If any of these apply to you, don’t worry. There are certainly worse things in life than doing something you so completely enjoy with the dogs you’re absolutely crazy about! D Christina Hutchinson lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her three dogs, Carmie, Tank, and Ticket. She is a self-proclaimed agility addict of eight-plus years who also does obedience and herding. You can see her agility and other antics at www.geocities.com/agileaussie. 63 August 07 | Clean Run
http://www.pawsitiveactiontraining.com http://www.geocities.com/agileaussie
Clean Run Magazine - August 2007

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