Clean Run - June 2011 - 3

Cover
The magazine for dog agiliTy enThusiasTs
PHOTOs © PeTer J. LOTsikas, cLean run

AKC’s New Kid on the Block

June 11

Volume 17

TIME 2 BEAT

51
Intervertebral Disc Disease in the Canine Athlete Dogs that participate in agility are at higher risk for developing IVDD than other performance dogs, due to the repetitive flexion and extension of the spine. By Peter J. Lotsikas DVM Diplomate ACVS, Chris Leasure DVM, Faith M. Lotsikas DVM, CCRT

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18 Now You See It, Now You Don’t: Stress in Performance Dogs, Part 1 Agility is often described as a great game and stress reliever for dogs; yet, we often see the signs of stress in classes and trials. Learning to recognize these signs can help you learn to better connect with your dog and optimize your training sessions. By Sue Alexander, CPDT, CDBC

AKC’s New Kid on the Block: Time 2 Beat AKC unleashes its new independent titling class Time 2 Beat (T2B) on July 1, 2011. The class has been in development for over two years, and it looks to be a fast and fun class for all. Learn more about the challenge you can expect. By Ann Croft

Ready, Set, Trial! Walk, then Run Everyone processes and learns information differently. Whether you are a visual learner, an auditory learner, a tactile/ kinetic learner, or you prefer a combination of these styles, here are some tips for memorizing the course and for using your course walk-through time effectively. By Jamie McKay

Features
5 Editorializing: When Did Agility Become About Looks? Recently at trials, I have overheard people ridiculing people in the ring because of their size. When did agility become a sport only for the physically fit? Agility is supposed to be about the connection between us and our dogs. Who cares how we run, how we look, or what condition our body may be in? By Jen Knappenburger 56 Challenges at CR Central More runs are disqualified from the dog’s misreading his path via handler misdirection rather than incorrectly performing any individual obstacle. This month’s drills all contain path challenges. By Annie Pyle 60 FOCUS and Impulse-control Classes: Week 2 In the second week of class, we’ll begin work on seamless transitions between on and off states in the dogs. We’ll also work on “Look at Me”, “Come & Go Recalls”, loose-leash standing, and shaping the dogs to remain on a mat. By Deborah Jones, PhD 71 When is Good Enough Enough? We are constantly confronted with training choices. The education of the team is always a work in progress and we have long to-do lists. But we don’t have the time to do it all nor can we train everything perfectly. Using the principle of good enough can help us make decisions about when the investment in time outweighs the potential improvement. By Linda Randall, DVM
24 Sharpening Your Snooker Skill: Teach Your Dog to Bypass Obstacles The game of Snooker requires the dog to move with or to the handler without taking an obstacle until directed to do so. This is a handy skill to have whether or not you play Snooker. By Stuart Mah 31 Lameness in Agility Dogs Changes in a dog’s jumping style may be due to the dog compensating for pain or weakness in his body. Diagnosing this type of subtle, intermittent lameness can be challenging. By Audrey DeClue, DVM 68 Tips for Training Running Contacts, Part 1 Are running contacts right for you and your dog? No matter which method you plan to use to train running contacts, there are some things you need to think about. By Daisy Peel

12 Building and Balancing Handler and Obstacle Focus, Part 3 In this third installment, the exercises are designed to help build your dog’s desire for jumps and his willingness to commit to them. By Ann Croft 37 Confessions of a Gambling Addict, Part 2: Planning the Opening Last month, we discussed planning and handling gamble sequences. Now we’ll talk about how to time the opening and choose the obstacles most likely to give your team enough points to qualify and a good chance for success at the gamble. By Dara Tarolli 47 Challenges for Rising Stars Known informally as “Space Invaders,” this particular setup is used to practice more advanced transition work; that is, more rapid and more frequent changes between handler focus and obstacle focus. You’ll also work on maintaining handler focus for longer periods of time and over long distances between the obstacles. By Stuart Mah

Columns
6 7 8 Tip of the Month By Richard Hennessy Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agility… By Brenna Fender Backyard Dogs By Mary Ellen Barry

Cover Dog
UCICB ADCH-Bronze MACH2 Joelle de la Vallee du Mouton RN, TD, PT, NF, SACH-Bronze, GCH-Bronze, RCHBronze, SCH-Gold, JCH-Plantinum, TM-Platinum, LAA-Bronze, a.k.a. Hemi, an 8-year-old Pyrenean Shepherd owned by Elizabeth Evans of Texas. Photo by Fast Clicks Photography.

74 Agility Bloopers By Brenna Fender

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 1995-2011 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.

June 11 | Clean Run

Clean Run - June 2011

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