Clean Run Magazine - January 2008 - 3

© Cover NUMBER 1 THE MAGAZINE FOR DOG AGILITY ENTHUSIASTS PHOTOS © SABY ROCHON, MATT SACHS, DOGHOUSE ARTS JANUARY 08 VOLUME 14 11 When Pigs Fly: Agility Success with “Impossible” Dogs What does it matter which cross you put where, if your dog’s nose is glued to the ground at the start line? Learn some techniques for teaching challenging dogs that are not predisposed to working with you. By Jane Killion 51 24 Trainer’s Forum This month’s group of trainers offers suggestions to other agility instructors to help them solve the dilemma of trying to run their own dogs while still making time to deal with their students’ needs during trials. By Brenna Fender A Chute of a Different Color The collapsed tunnel can be a challenge for a dog to master. It is a real leap of faith for a dog to run through the fabric, not knowing what’s on the other side. If your dog is having problems with the chute, could the color of the fabric be part of the problem? By Rick Parry 20 Balance at the Start Line Jumping problems can begin before your dog even leaves the start line. If your dog’s starting position is unbalanced, it can jeopardize much more than the first bar. By Susan Salo 38 Foundation Fundamentals: Dealing with Distractions, Part 1 Need some training ideas that don’t involve agility equipment? Let’s work on your dog’s impulse control around distractions. By Mary Ellen Barry 43 Speeding Up Your Two-on/Two-off Contacts Speed and drive on the contact obstacles come from a dog that fully understands the behavior you desire. Suitable rewards and regular maintenance training further reinforce fast and consistent contact performance. By Rachel Sanders Features 5 Editorializing: The Straight Story on Some Surprising Questions By Monica Percival 74 Cece’s Gym Exercise of the Month: Get on the Ball Basics Any dog competing in agility should possess good core muscle strength; that is, good strength of both back and abdominal muscles. Learn how to strengthen your dog’s core using a theraball. By Debbie Gross Saunders 81 Dealing with People Who Just Don’t Get It Do your non-agility friends and family understand the glories of your agility runs? If not, you can always call a friend to celebrate your triumphs and commiserate with you over your mistakes. By Elizabeth Dott 16 On Course with Ali Roukas-Canova Known for her system of teaching running contacts, Ali Roukas-Canova reveals her thoughts on what makes a well-trained, successful agility team. By Diane Goodspeed 32 Spy Kids: Happy Birthday! The pups have reached their first birthday. This month we focus on jumping and handling drills, including lead-outs as well as 180 and 270 work. By Nancy Gyes 59 Shelter Champs: Ben Meet Ben, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi that was rescued from an SPCA shelter in Brooksville, Florida and that has gone on to earn an agility championship. By Lisa Barrett 63 Focus on Fun Making agility training and trialing fun for your dog needs to be your first focus in agility. Mistakes will always happen, but noting and saving them for a planned future training session can help us not to overemphasize their importance and to continue on in the ring. By Deborah Jones, Ph.D. Columns 6 7 8 Tip of the Month By Diane Weisbrodt Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility… Backyard Dogs By Karen Holik © CLEAN RUN 29 Skill of the Month By Karen Holik 67 In Cider By Bill Gates 71 Distance Challenge By Jane Simmons-Moake 82 Course Diagram Keys 54 Using Periodization to Create Peak Performance Learn how to plan your training time so that you and your dog can perform at your peak at important events during the year. By Webb Anderson Cover Dog MACH3 ADCH Meadowlake’s I Just Might, JE, a.k.a. Maybie, an 11 ½-yearyoung Jack Russell Terrier owned by Dana Pike of Illinois. Photo by Doghouse Arts, doghousearts.com Clean Run (ISSN 1089-8506) is published monthly by Clean Run Productions, LLC. Principal ofﬁce: 17 Industrial Dr., South Hadley, MA 01075. Periodicals postage paid at South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075-9902 and additional ofﬁces. © Copyright 1995-2008 Bud Houston and Clean Run Productions, LLC. All world rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Clean Run, 17 Industrial Dr., South Hadley, MA 01075. January 08 | Clean Run 3

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Clean Run Magazine - January 2008

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