Clean Run Magazine - February 2007 - 18

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with the Weave-A-Matic When my dog is ready to begin the actual weaving
motion, I switch to the WAM for training for the reasons discussed at the
beginning of the article. As before, you will use a motivator out beyond
the weave poles to teach the dog to focus and drive forward through the
poles. Again, you will backchain the weaves, working from the exit and
alternating sides, until the dog is running down the full line of poles to
his motivator placed 6' to 8' beyond. This training is best done off leash,
so there is no chance of pulling the dog from one side or the other. Step 1
Lay the poles flat on the ground. Take the dog about 6' beyond the weave
poles and reward with your motivator. Drop the motivator in place and take
your dog to the exit of the WAM, on the right side of the poles. Place him
in the WAM, lined up straight with his nose just beyond the last pole pole
12 . Step 1 Step 2 Step 2 Next take your dog to the left side of the poles
and place him in the space created by poles 10, 11, and 12. Step 3
Continue backchaining the WAM, alternating sides, until the dog can be
released from 6' in front of the WAM and run through the poles to his
motivator for his reward 6' beyond. Your dog will likely run just off
center of the base. Do not be concerned; he will become centered as you
raise the poles. He will either learn to plant his feet and bounce through
each space, or he will jump the occasional section. Either is acceptable;
the important criterion is that he runs straight through the WAM without
attempting to veer out of the poles and exit. This behavior indicates his
willingness to drive through the obstacle, his confidence level, and his
enjoyment of the obstacle. Step 3 Backchain performance of the WAM as you
did the weave pole channel. Step 4 Next raise each pole about 1 to 2 and
release your dog to run through the WAM to his motivator. If the dog tries
to veer out and run to his motivator, don’t reward; repeat the
backchaining process with the poles raised just this small amount. Using
backchaining will make your dog feel confident through the whole WAM. Step
5 Once the dog is driving through with enthusiasm, raise each pole another
1 to 2 and release your dog to run through to his motivator. If he accepts
the change and continues to run straight and fast through the WAM, repeat
with the dog on your other side. Continue raising the weave poles a couple
of inches at a time after working both sides as long as your dog continues
to run fast and straight through the poles and as long as you see your dog
is maintaining his speed through the poles. If at any time the dog veers
out of the WAM, then don’t reward him. Try backchaining the WAM with
raised poles. Steps 4 and 5 Raise each pole 1” to 2” and release your
dog to run through the WAM to his motivator. As long as the dog is running
straight and fast through the WAM, continue to raise the poles 1” to 2”
at a time. Ann lives in San Diego, California with her two Boston Terriers,
Chance and Prix, and four Border Collies, Caper, Trigger, Flurry, and Kit.
Her Bostons, Mystic 1992-2004 and Chance, achieved many agility firsts for
their breed. Chance, Caper, 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. 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. 18 Clean Run | February 07 Warning : Unknown : The session id contains invalid characters, valid
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Clean Run Magazine - February 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - February 2007