Clean Run Magazine - July 2009 - 35

14 2 A 1 1 3 2 3 2 3 T A A B C As long as my motion supports the correct obstacle, I may choose to layer jump A if #3 is an obstacle my dog can identify and discriminate by name. Here I would use a verbal command as soon as I felt the poles were in my dog’s field of view. As long as my motion supports the correct obstacle, I may choose to layer the table if #3 is an obstacle my dog can identify and discriminate by name. Here I would use a verbal A-frame command as soon as I felt it was in my dog’s field of view. As long as my motion supports the correct obstacle, I may choose to layer the jump and tunnel if #3 is an obstacle my dog can identify and discriminate by name. Here I would use a verbal A-frame command as soon as I felt it was in my dog’s field of view. Shaping Shaping my dog’s path is the act of creating a turns on the flat between obstacles. I will shape to change my dog’s approach to an obstacle. I may wish to change my dog’s striding by changing his lead or by creating extension or collection, or I may wish to change his angle of approach. My dog’s angle of approach to a jump directly affects his direction upon landing; so I may choose to shape that approach to assure that my dog lands presented with the correct obstacle in his field of view. Strategic shaping may allow me to minimize the cumulative number of strides my dog takes on a given sequence. See Figure 15. There are several factors I must take into consideration if I want to shape while continuing to maintain consistency in my handling system. Because my goal is to run in the direction I want my dog to go, I usually will not shape if my motion on the preceding jump presents my dog with an obstacle. See Figure 16. With nonturning obstacles, I may choose to shape my dog’s path when changing his striding or angle of approach would result in a safer or more accurate performance. See Figure 17. With turning obstacles, particularly jumps, I may choose to shape my dog’s path when changing the angle of approach will help my dog to land presented with the correct obstacle and on the correct lead. See Figure 18. 15 A A 3 2 4 2 3 4 A: Here I shape and create a turn on the flat between #1 and #2. This changes my dog’s angle of approach to #2 (turquoise) and results in fewer strides on the serpentine. My dog does not land off #2 presented with jump A an as option. B: Here I did not shape between #1 and #2 and a more perpendicular approach to #2 sets up a more undulating path and a greater number of strides on the serpentine. In addition, without shaping my dog lands off #2 presented with jump A as an option. C: Here I cue true collection on #3. This wouldn’t be considered traditional shaping, but it does in fact change my dog’s angle of approach to #4 (orange), which results in fewer total strides. Plus, my dog does not land off #3 presented with jump A as an option. D: Here I cue extension on #3, which in effect creates a turn on the flat between #3 and #4 (turquoise) and sets up an efficient line to #5. A 1 B 1 3 A 3 4 2 5 2 4 5 A C 1 D 1 July 09 | Clean Run 35

Clean Run Magazine - July 2009

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