Clean Run Magazine - September 2008 - 51

Speed, accuracy, comfort, and adaptability are among the benefits of my four-on-thefloor method and these attributes might make this contact performance the best of both worlds—end-behavior-based contacts and running contacts—for you and your dog. Also, don’t be afraid to shape the behavior in increments, rewarding a partial down or a bow position if the dog is initially resistant to going all the way down. Once the dog drops completely into a down, feed, feed, feed to reinforce and prolong the behavior. Give your verbal release cue to end the behavior and allow the dog to get up. Ideally, you should train the rock-back-into-a-down behavior at your side; however, you may initially find it easier to master the treat-delivery mechanics and get the down if you start with the dog in front of you. Once you have the dog readily going into a down when a treat is presented in this manner, transfer the behavior to your side. Important Training Notes ■ Do not add a verbal cue to initiate the down behavior or use a formally trained down response to a verbal cue to substitute for the work described above. This is intended to be a way of reward delivery and is part of a future behavior chain, not an end in itself. Putting the behavior on a verbal cue at this time may confuse your dog. For now, your hand moving toward the dog’s chest with the treat will become the signal for the dog to perform the behavior. I give my students with larger dogs (over 65 pounds) or dogs with very long legs the option of doing a rock-back, or bow, instead of going all the way into a down. Large dogs are able to quickly and more easily move into and out of this position. The handler must, however, have a clear picture of the exact position she wants to reward, because a bow position is generally not as clear-cut as a down. I prefer for the dog to rock back with his forearms on the ground in the bow. This is a clear-cut position to reward and is a suitable alternative to a down as long as the dog finds it comfortable. ■ Ideally, you should train this behavior at your side; however, you may initially find it easier to do with the dog in front of you, and then transfer the behavior to your side. Once you have a dog that is comfortable standing by your side and will rock back into a down or bow position, and will remain there until released, it is time to introduce the nonskid pad. What’s Next? Next month, I will show you how to teach the dog his foot target behavior. Meanwhile, please refer to my original article (available on my website at www.pawsonthewind.com) or DVD for instructions on how to train the dog to run up and over the contact obstacle with speed and confidence. This portion of the training can be started while you are still training the end contact behavior on the flat. D When teaching a dog a bow position instead of a down position, I require dogs to place their forearms on the ground as they rock back because this is a clear-cut position to reward. Ann lives in San Diego, California, with her Boston Terrier, Prix, and three Border Collies, Trigger, Flurry, and Kit. Her first agility dogs, Bostons Mystic (1992-2004) and Chance (1992-2007), achieved many agility firsts for their breed. Chance, Caper, Ann’s first BC (1996-2007), and Trigger are all double agility champions, MACH and ADCH, and have all been AKC Nationals finalists, with Trigger placing second overall in 2003. Trigger and her teammates won the 2004 DAM National Team Championship. Flurry and Kit are just beginning their agility careers. Ann now teaches full time at her training center, Paws on the Wind Dog Sports and is also an AKC and USDAA judge. Learn more at www.pawsonthewind.com.. September 08 | Clean Run 51
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Clean Run Magazine - September 2008

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