Clean Run Magazine - May 2009 - 3

® Cover The magazine for dog agiliTy enThusiasTs may 09 Volume 15 number 5 PHOtOgraPHy, Mette Björne, Marcy ManteLL PHOtOS © jenny rutH yaSi, ttL actiOn 23 Changing Consequences: Catching the Tiger by the Tail Does your dog get distracted by squirrels, noises, or anything else in his environment? The Premack Principle can help you gain a training advantage and control the things your dog finds reinforcing. By Jenny Ruth Yasi 32 Comparing the Derrett and Mecklenburg Handling Systems, Part 3: Other Lead-outs Last month we covered the lead-out pivot (Derrett) and the lead-out push (Mecklenburg). Now we’ll look at leadouts where a side change is not initially needed. By the Clean Run Staff 50 Foundation Fundamentals: Recalls to Side Having your dog understand how to place his body in relation to your body allows you to set a line when doing course work so the dog knows where he should move to next. By Moe Strenfel 37 Jenny’s System of Handling: The Basics This month Jenny Damm presents an overview of her handling system, including its history and philosophy, her three basic rules, the crosses she uses for changes of side, and the cues she uses to tell the dog to turn or to go straight. By Jenny Damm © Mette Björne Features 5 Editorializing: The Blame Game We as handlers need to realize what we do to our dogs. If you are constantly having trouble in the ring, then videotaping your runs will shed some light on what you, the handler, are doing wrong. After all, how can we blame our best friends? They are only doing what we taught them to do. By Elizbeth Dott 71 Shelter Champs: Wazzu and Sparkie While many competitors dream of earning titles, animal shelters continue to house dogs that were relinquished because they are too energetic, too smart, or too busy for most pet homes. Many of these dogs are great agility prospects. This month, meet Wazzu and Sparkie. By Lisa Barrett 81 What Performance Dog Owners Should Know About Tick-borne Diseases, Part 1 Tick-borne illnesses are a growing concern all over the United States. With so many dogs traveling with their human companions, many tick-related problems are no longer confined to particular regions. Learn the facts so you and your veterinarian can decide what is best for your canine athlete. By David B. Hyde DVM and Julie A. Roos DVM 13 Handling Your Dog in Awesome Style, Part 13: More Advanced Skills The goal this month is to teach the dog responsibility for reading his handler’s line of motion and to teach him advanced convergence skills. By Linda Mecklenburg 27 Can You Handle It? Test your skills on a USDAA 2008 Steeplechase Finals course that’s been modified to fit in an 80' x 60' space. By Ann Croft 57 When Pigs Fly: Figure It Out with the Figure Eight, Part 1 In this two-part article, we are going to look at the figure-eight exercise and how we can use it to practice the skills and handling maneuvers we have talked about in previous articles. By Jane Killion 68 Power Paws Drills: Cutting Corners This month’s drills will show you where to cut corners on course by sending your dog to an obstacle so that you can get into position to handle the next side change, serpentine, or threadle. By Nancy Gyes 63 Oh, Mom, Do I Have to Play? Rehabilitating the Play-Deprived Dog Your trainer exhorts you to play with your dog, but when you offer the tug toy to Serious Sam he just stands there and looks at you like you’ve lost your mind. What are you doing wrong? Nothing. Your dog just doesn’t know how to play. He’s play-deprived. By Pat Miller 74 Trainer’s Forum What’s the best use of your training time the week before a trial? Should you be working on handling drills, skill drills, or courses? Should you be resting your dog or otherwise altering your routine? A group of agility trainers share their views on the subject. By Brenna Fender 78 Thinking Ahead for Agility: Out and About withYour Puppy Here are some suggestions for starting your puppy’s early socialization to help him see the world as an exciting place to explore. Exposing your puppy early to our erratic world is critical if you want a dog that is unflappable on trial day. By Catherine Steinke Columns 6 7 8 Tip of the Month By Ann Braue Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility… By Brenna Fender Backyard Dogs By Sharon Freilich 45 Distance Challenge Jane Simmons-Moake 55 My Favorite Course By Lisa Rieves Cover Dog Ava NAJ ,CGC, a Basset Hound owned by Joan Curtiss of Connecticut. Sadly, Ava was killed in an accident at the age of three. Photo by Lesley Mattuchio. 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 1995-2009 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. May 09 | Clean Run 3

Clean Run Magazine - May 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - May 2009