Clean Run Magazine - June 2007 - 34

NADAC Training for NADAC Novice Challenges By Amanda Nelson The Novice level is the first level in NADAC. In this article I will discuss the sequences frequently seen on a NADAC Novice course and also suggest training methods for preparing your team for these challenges. The flowing sequences in a Novice-level course allow the dog and handler to work on their foundation skills to become a solid team in later levels. Here is an excerpt from the NADAC rule book regarding Novice Regular courses: “At the Novice level, the main goal is to test the dog’s ability to perform the obstacles safely. The dog is asked to perform the obstacles at a moderate pace and at a moderate distance.” Sequences Frequently Seen Pinwheels A pinwheel is a series of jumps set in a wheel configuration; Figure 1 shows an example of a pinwheel. In the Novice class pinwheels usually consist of three jumps in a circle. This sequence is usually set so it flows, with a nice dog path through all three jumps. I like to handle pinwheels at a bit of a distance, so I don’t go in too deep toward jump #2 as shown in Figure 1. This maneuver allows me to get in position for the next sequence by meeting the dog at or after jump #3. 2 1 3 1 A strong foundation with Out (a cue that tells my dog to move laterally away from me) and Here (a cue that tells my dog to collect and move toward me) are crucial for obstacle discriminations. If there is a hard discrimination requiring a Here cue, I like to slightly hesitate in my forward motion to make sure that I cue my dog to collect to pick up the Here cue. This is not a long pause—it is a quick, slight hesitation, but it is enough to make sure my dog collects his stride to pick up the Here cue. 2 1 Distance Tests 180s A 180 is two jumps set parallel to each 2 other; the dog must take one jump and then turn 180° to take the next jump. Figure 2 shows an example of a 180 sequence. Most dogs tend to turn wide on 180s so I give my dog a Tight cue to tighten up his path. Tight means for the dog to turn tightly toward me. I also like to practice handling 180s at a distance so that in more advanced levels I can use this sequence to gain a good handling position for the next sequence. In every NADAC Regular course there is a distance test. At the Novice level the required distance between the handler and the obstacles is 4' to 6'. The tests require greater distance between the handler and obstacles as you progress through the levels. At the Novice level the distance test consists of three to five obstacles and can be any of the obstacles from the NADAC equipment list. Most distance tests are lateral sequences, but sometimes you may encounter a pinwheel or nice flowing jump loops as the distance test. Figure 3 shows an example of a Novice Regular course with a distance test. The green dashed line is the handler-restriction line; the handler must not cross that line while handling the sequence. Just as with the obstacle discriminations a strong foundation with Out and Here is essential to performing distance tests. Also needed is a strong foundation with directional commands like Tight and Switch. (Tight means for the dog to turn toward me tightly, and Switch means for the dog to turn away from me.) Clean Run | June 07 Obstacle Discriminations On some Novice courses you may see an obstacle discrimination. Any obstacle can be used for discrimination. The most common pairing is a contact with a tunnel, but you will encounter discriminations with weave poles, tunnels, and jumps in classes such as Tunnelers, Jumpers, and Weavers. 34

Clean Run Magazine - June 2007

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