Common Errors * Dog anticipates: Many dogs will anticipate turning away from the handler. It is important that the handler occasionally turns her dogs toward her in training. See Figure 7. * Handler does not get the dog's focus: When performing the flick, it is important that the handler gets the dog's focus on her by using more eye con- tact, lowering her hand, and/or using the dog's name. If the handler does not focus the dog on her first, the dog is more likely to take the jump too early or from the wrong direction. In Figure 8, you can see that the handler fails to get the dog's attention and he takes the jump from the wrong side. * Chest/laser pointer: Some handlers will turn their shoulders with the dog when performing a flick. When this happens, the technique resembles a tandem turn and the dog will not know on takeoff the degree of turn needed. You can see in Figure 9 that as the dog is jumping, he is looking toward the tunnel and the first jump so he does not land prepared to turn tightly around the wing. Compare the landing shown in this photo series with the landing photo in Figure 2. 7 8 9 The purpose of the flick is that the dog turns on the flat and then is presented with the jump. As he sees the jump, he is able to take it in the direction needed. 32 Clean Run | May 15