Clean Run Magazine - July 2009 - 38

As always, I must consider the most appropriate use of motion when shaping. While it may be acceptable for me to shape using my physical location on the approach to a nonturning obstacle or when I want to cue collection, shaping this way on the approach to a jump usually results in inconsistent motion cues. In my system, this can miscue my dog. To use a location cue, I must move from right to left on the approach to a jump to set up a right turn. This is not consistent if I want to always run in the direction I want my dog to go. If I present my dog with a jump and then move left toward him, my motion is cueing a left turn. I choose to use motion cues rather than physical location to shape my dog’s path where possible. It not only allows me to move in the correct direction but it also allows me to stay ahead. One of the drawbacks of using physical location to create a turn on the flat is that it puts me behind my dog. See Figures 19 through 22, and also Figure 5B. Strategically, I usually will not shape if it results in an overall increase in the number of strides on a sequence, but often it is possible to subtly change the angles of the existing strides to my advantage. See Figure 23. 19 2 2 A: This shows a common shaping technique where the handler pushes into her dog’s path to change the angle of approach to #2. This means she moves from right to left on the approach to the jump, often resulting in the handler falling behind her dog once the dog turns. While this might be acceptable on a nonturning obstacle (like the weave poles), shaping this way on the approach to a jump is not an appropriate use of motion. To shape as described, I will be moving to the left as my dog approaches #2 to cue a right turn. If I want to consistently run in the direction I want my dog to go, I should be moving laterally to my right on the approach to #2. B: When I shape, I must use motion appropriately (rather than location). Here my motion as my dog approaches #1 does not present my dog with an obstacle (red dashed line). I have cued #1 with forward cues to create extension. With a longer striding faster dog, his extension will carry him out to a point on the flat where I can move laterally to my right, which will cue him to turn toward #2. Shaping in this manner allows me to stay ahead of my dog and I am showing him appropriate lateral motion to the right as he approaches #2. Admittedly this technique is more challenging with shorter striding dogs that won’t carry out as far ahead of me with one stride, but that type of dog is less likely to need shaping. 1 1 A B 20 2 2 A: This shows a common shaping technique where the handler pulls the dog off his path to change the dog’s angle of approach to #2. This means she moves from right to left on the approach to the jump and after the dog turns, she crosses behind. While this might be acceptable on a nonturning obstacle (like a U-shaped tunnel), shaping this way on the approach to a jump is not an appropriate use of motion. To shape as described, I will be moving to the left as my dog approaches #2 to cue a right turn. If I want to consistently run in the direction I want my dog to go, I should be moving laterally to my right on the approach to #2. B: When I shape, I must use motion appropriately (rather than location). Here my motion on #1 does not present my dog with an obstacle (red dashed line). I have cued #1 with forward cues to create extension. With a longer striding faster dog his extension will carry him out to a point on the flat where I can move laterally to my right and cross behind him, which will cue him to turn toward #2. Shaping in this manner allows me to show my dog appropriate lateral motion to the right as he approaches #2. 1 1 A B While it may be acceptable for me to shape using my physical location on the approach to a nonturning obstacle or when I want to cue collection, shaping this way on the approach to a jump usually results in inconsistent motion cues. 38 Clean Run | July 09

Clean Run Magazine - July 2009

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