Clean Run Magazine - April 2008 - 19

mastered the crosses while walking, try them trotting, then running with the dog. Next you add a single jump, then several, then a series of jumps and other equipment. Front and rear crosses are probably the single most used maneuver on the agility course. (Although we can’t detail the training of crosses here, for more information, see Right On Target!, Greg Derrett’s videos, or consult an instructor.) “feel” to them, and jumps may be decorated in any number of ways. Different venues may also have slightly different requirements for the construction of equipment.You don’t have an opportunity to practice on anything different or new at a trial, so you need to get your dog comfortable with the concept of “different” beforehand. This is especially important for dogs that are easily spooked, or worry about something new. One of the best ways to counteract fear of newness is to use children’s play parks. Obviously, you’ll want to be there when children are absent, but many of the parks offer swinging bridges, tunnels, and other odd things to step on, over, and through. Make sure you use plenty of your dog’s favorite rewards, take breaks often, and use common sense on slippery equipment. © ALISSA BEHN / PET PERSONALITIES Jumping Introduction Of course dogs can jump, but on an agility course they may have to jump and turn, jump in a tight space, or “change leads” (the foot that is in front) before or after the jump. You can practice all of these things, even with a young dog, at low jump heights. Here are some great beginner exercises. First, help the dog understand where his back feet are by practicing some groundwork exercises. A ladder lying flat on the ground is a great place to start. Teach the dog to step carefully through, using a marker (click or Yes) to first select lifting the front foot. As the dog gets more fluid stepping through the rungs, start marking the rear foot lifting. (Note: For a small dog, you can use plastic gutter pieces on the ground, or even 2 x 2 pieces of wood. It’s very helpful for the dog if the “rungs” do not move in the early learning stages.) © ALISSA BEHN / PET PERSONALITIES When the dog is speedy and lifting each foot carefully to progress through the rungs, you can move to cavaletti work. Cavalettis are jumps set at a low height, also designed to teach the dog to move his feet properly. Used to condition a dog for jumping as well, cavalettis should be set at a few inches high and about one body length apart (measure from the front foot to the rear foot). The dog should be able to move easily through the cavalettis without stutter stepping (taking more than one step between the jumps). As you work with cavalettis, you can increase the stride length, or decrease the stride length and increase the height to build muscle and skill level. Remember to use lots of treats as the dog navigates the cavalettis, and to take frequent breaks (after just 5-10 sequences). These exercises can be very tiring for the dog. If you doubt that, set some jumps knee height for yourself and step through them over and over. You will quickly tire no matter how much chocolate you get for running through! You can also set the cavalettis at varying heights and varying distances apart to increase the difficulty level. Cavaletti work is great for indoor work during the winter, and for keeping the dog in good physical condition year round. When the dog is moving smoothly and effortlessly navigating the cavalettis, you’re ready to work on the actual jumping. There is a lot of good information available on teaching your dog to jump. And while you’re at it, you can also practice your crosses, Go, Out, and Close. © CLEAN RUN Getting Used to “Newness” You want your dog to be comfortable with things that look or move differently than he’s used to. While equipment is standardized to a degree, teeter s have a different You can even teach some dogs to seek out newness by marking and rewarding any interaction with a new object. The more you do this, the more excited the dog will be to touch and interact with something he has never seen before. If the dog seems hesitant at first, using a target to start the interaction can be helpful. Think in advance how this might work best for you in agility. Touching 19 April 08 | Clean Run

Clean Run Magazine - April 2008

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