Clean Run Magazine - February 2007 - 19

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Training Notes • As you raise the poles toward vertical, at some point
you will observe a change in the dog’s stride; he will switch from
running/jumping through the slanted poles to changing his lead at each
pole, either by single stepping or bouncing with both feet. I like to
raise the poles from the ground to this point as quickly as the dog’s
drive, motivation, athletic ability, and physical condition permit and
then proceed from this point a bit more slowly. Highly athletic and driven
dogs that are accustomed to training with a motivator may reach this point
in a very short period, while others will fare better by working only a
few minutes at a time and then returning to increased levels of difficulty
after resting. • When your dog has mastered a given height of the poles
he will start to jump through the WAM toward the end. I use this as a cue
to raise the poles a bit more. Once the dog has reached this point where
he is changing leads through each space he is likely using his muscles in
a new way and in rapid succession. Be careful not to overtrain and
overtire or make your dog sore. Limit the number of repetitions in a given
training session. Five to seven minutes of weave training in a given
session is the maximum for most dogs. End the training session while your
dog is still driving through and enjoying the weaves. • As the “V”
of the poles gets smaller and approaches a straight line, be sure to
tighten them more securely so the dog cannot move them easily out of the
way as he weaves. This will help him transition to a straight line of
poles. • When transitioning to straight poles, some dogs are helped by
leaving the first pole open just a bit while straightening the rest of the
poles to upright. Troubleshooting Many dogs can successfully transition
from the slanted weave poles to a straight line of poles with short and
frequent training sessions. Other dogs need help to generalize their
weaving skill to a straight line of poles by returning to work with the
channel-style trainer where the poles can be slightly offset. Here are two
techniques to try if your dog is having difficulty mastering straight
poles. • If your dog is consistently performing the WAM with the poles
slanted about 1 off the vertical position, but has trouble getting through
straight poles, try this technique: Use a single WAM base six poles with
the poles slightly slanted and place a channel base as the next six poles
with the two lines of channel poles offset just 1 . Work toward
straightening the poles on the WAM base and moving the poles on the
channel base closer and closer together. If your dog isn’t able to
generalize his weaving behavior going from slightly slanted poles to
slightly offset poles, straighten the poles in the WAM and close the
channel more slowly. • Work the weave pole channel and the WAM in
separate training sessions. Refresh your dog’s memory of the channel by
having him run through the poles with the channel just wide enough for him
to pass through without weaving to his motivator 6' to 8' beyond. When he
has remastered this skill by backchaining if necessary start to narrow the
channel by about 1 at a time to encourage the dog to begin weaving. Be sure
your dog can still run straight through the channel on each side in
succession before increasing the difficulty. Should he start to have a
problem staying within the channel, resolve the problem by not rewarding
and by backchaining through the channel. As it gets narrower a good rule
of thumb is two successful passes on each side in succession before
increasing the difficulty. Continue to work with the WAM in some of your
weave pole training sessions during this period to insure your dog
maintains his weaving style. In Conclusion The initial stages of both
these methods may be trained economically at home using
stick-in-the-ground weave poles. Training will, however, go more quickly
and smoothly at the later stages with stiffer poles on a sturdy base. Once
your dog has become proficient on the straight line of poles, resume your
weave training to find the entrance from all angles, from around the
clock, and from increasing distances, and with both front and rear crosses
at the weaves. This foundation will really pay off in fast, reliable, and
independent weave pole performance. Happy weaving! D February 07 | Clean
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Clean Run Magazine - February 2007

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