Clean Run Magazine - July 2008 - 25

Handling Your Dog in Awesome Style, Part 4 By Linda Mecklenburg © JT PAWPRINTS Fundamental Skills In my handling system, I try to stay ahead of my dog on the flow of the course, if possible. Staying ahead allows me to lead my dog through the course while at the same time naturally cueing him to go faster. When I am ahead, I recall my dog over or through the obstacles. Thus, a fundamental skill my dog needs is a solid understanding of recalls over obstacles. The presentation of my body should always indicate the flow of the course, so that when I cue my dog to a certain side, particularly on a recall over an obstacle, my dog will know where he is going next. To allow me to get ahead, I will send my dog to “turning obstacles” (jumps, straight tunnels, tires, chutes), or I will get into position while my dog performs the nonturning obstacles. Remember, in my system, my dog needs directional information on the approach to all turning obstacles. For these obstacles, my dog is dependent on my motion cues for directional information. Thus, another fundamental skill my dog needs is the ability to send away, either ahead or laterally, to a turning obstacle. Last month, I reviewed the foundation training of some of the skills that are taught on the flat without obstacles. This month and next month will feature those skills that are performed with turning obstacles. Remember, I am only including skills that are required for my handling system. Skills Performed with a Jump Recalls When I recall my dog over or through a turning obstacle such as a jump, he should expect to come to my side, facing the same direction that I am. By cueing my dog to a certain side, I am giving him directional information at the same time, therefore, the presentation of my body should always indicate the flow of the course. The first skill I teach that involves a jump is simply a recall to heel over the bar. To be successful, my dog must have a solid understanding of how to jump and how to recall to heel on the flat. My dog must control his jumping arc so that he can jump and land in heel position without crossing the plane of my hand signal. He must be able to do this when we are both stationary and when we are both in motion. If my dog July 08 | Clean Run cannot make the appropriate adjustments and come to heel position, he will not reliably perform the handling maneuvers I ask of him. When first training recalls to heel over jumps, I am stationary. Once my dog is comfortable with each recall, I add handler motion. First I add motion out of the recall position, then I add motion into the recall position, then both. When I am running an actual course, once I cue my dog to heel over a jump I don’t remain stationary unless I want to cue collection. For the recall to heel to be successful, my dog must expect me to remain stationary. But on course, once he’s cued and knows his job, I move on so that I can stay ahead of him and my motion gives him further information as to where he’s going next. 25

Clean Run Magazine - July 2008

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