Clean Run Magazine - October 2008 - 77

ready, set, Race! Race games are wonderful for testing skills. But remember, racing only occurs in the testing phase, not the learning phase. The easiest race has each team running to an assigned jump stanchion positioned 20' away, correctly performing the designated skill (a front cross or a rear cross, for example) and returning to the start line in the least amount of time. As skill levels improve, add difficulty by having several “stations” for each team. For example, with the dogs spread out in a line, position four stanchions per dog, in a line, 20' away. The stanchions should be spaced 5', 10', or 15' apart, depending on class skill level; the more skill, the more distance. All handlers start at the same time and perform the following sequence: 1. Leave the dog in a stay and hurry to station A. 2. Call the dog, and with the dog on the handler’s left side, hurry to station B. 3. At station B, put the dog in a down for a count of three, then run together to station C, with the dog on the handler’s right side. 4. At station C, the handler sends her dog out to the stanchion at station D. Upon completion of a successful send, the handler and dog run back to station B, where the handler puts the dog in a down-stay. 5. The handler then runs to station A, calls the dog, and finally, they run back to the start together. D D D D C C C C B B B B A A A A S S Just remembering which side to work the dog on and what to do at A, B, C, and D is taxing to newbies, but it gives them an opportunity to practice memory skills and fast skill movements. As students progress, increase the difficulty of the tasks at each station, perhaps requiring a rear cross or front cross. Come to side Once your students understand “come to side,” set up a drill to test how well they can perform this skill under pressure. Depending on the size of your training space, multiple dogs can do this drill at one time, thereby adding distraction as a factor. Begin by leaving the dogs in a sit-stay at point A, while handlers lead out to point B, remain still, and then call their dogs to their side. Immediately leave the dogs in a sit-stay, while the handlers move 6' away, call their dogs to their side, and continue moving to point C, which forces them to practice a moving come to side. And more challenging the handlers run a figure-eight pattern around two stanchions, requiring the dogs to stay at their side, and finish by sending the dogs to a stanchion 8' away, then calling them to their side while the handlers return to the start. The goal is for the dog to remain at side, facing the direction of the handler and adjusting his speed to stay in position as the handler moves. The whole drill takes less than 60 seconds when done correctly and the beginner team that masters this drill at full speed will have a much easier time when they start obstacle sequencing. Many advanced teams find this exercise taxing. S S send work Most agility organizations now have some sort of Gamblers game so send work is a skill teams need to practice. Have students practice sends at home— send the dog to beds, couches, around trees, and so on. I like students to be able to send the dog 20' to a table or out around a jump stanchion. In class, do some distance challenges: all handlers start at the same line and send to a stanchion. After each round, the stanchion is moved backward 12". As teams fail to manage the longer send, they sit down. Good-natured encouragement and competition often results in practice at home. Reward the winning team with a toy or applause. October 08 | Clean Run 77

Clean Run Magazine - October 2008

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