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Set-point exercise with a double can be done as a recall or a send When the dog is offering to go back forth over the jump from different angles and distances, the handler can change her position so she's on the takeoff side of the jump. Treats should be delivered on the ground on the takeoff side of the jump.

Tossing the treat as you click or mark a clean jumping effort allows you to set up the dog for variable approach distances and angles.

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dog more than twice. At that point the handler needs to be patient and allow the dog to figure it out. For each successful jump (meaning the bar is not ticked or displaced), the treat is delivered on the ground, close to the handler and the base of the jump, on the landing side of the jump using the hand that is on that side. Just open your hand and release the treat to the ground. Once the dog is hopping back and forth over the jump from a standstill, the handler can incrementally raise the bar to the dog’s full jump height (as long as the dog’s growth plates are closed). The handler can then move to a kneeling position and eventually to a standing position, continuing to reward on the ground near the jump base. Next the handler can start varying the dog’s approach distance and angle to the jump by rolling or tossing the treat a short distance as she clicks or marks the jump as shown in Figure 6. But handlers need to be careful not to toss the treat very far; the dog shouldn’t break out of a walk during this exercise. The dog should also still focus down when he jumps. Finally, the handler can change her location so she’s on the takeoff side of the jump with the dog now moving away from the handler to take the jump. The treat is tossed on the path back to the handler on the takeoff side of the jump (not the landing side) as in Figure 7. See Part 2, “Foundation Training,” in Linda’s book, Developing Jumping Skills for Awesome Agility Dogs, for more detailed information.

Susan Salo’s set-point grid, a low jump or stride regulator (4" for small dogs and 8" for medium and large dogs) and a second jump set at or below the dog’s competition height with a target in front, as shown in Figure 8, is also an excellent exercise to introduce at this time to help build jumping understanding. The setpoint exercise as well as Linda Mecklenburg’s foundation exercise described above can be used to introduce the various jumps the dog will see, including the tire, double, triple, and broad jump. Mecklenburg’s exercise helps the dog learn the mechanics of collection and the cues for collection while performing these obstacles, while Salo’s exercise puts more emphasis on jumping in extension and teaching the dog where he needs to organize his body to leave the ground for the jump. Salo’s set-point grid may also be set on a bend to help the dog learn how to turn over jumps as in Figure 9. These grids are both covered in Susan’s Foundation Jumping DVD.

The set-point exercise can also be offered on a bend. Be sure to reverse the setup to work on a left-lead bend as well as a right-lead bend.

is much more natural to them. Mecklenburg’s methods can help those dogs to learn both how and when to turn tighter. Depending on your dog’s personality and the types of courses you ultimately plan to compete on, one program or the other may be better suited for your goals. If I had a dog that was tentative, for example, I might want to emphasize more forward drive (especially if the courses in my favorite venue were open and flowing), which is brought out more in the Salo exercises. However, if I had a powerful, independent dog, then exercises emphasizing collection and handler focus might be more suited for that dog, especially if the courses tended to be tighter and more technical in my favorite venue. This type of training is emphasized more in the Mecklenburg program. I find that I use parts of both programs for working on different skills. For example, I have found the Salo grid work helpful in teaching some dogs to go ahead for rear crosses, and the Mecklenburg exercises helpful in teaching the dogs to turn tighter on front crosses. Ultimately, being familiar with both programs and also being willing to experiment a little may assist your team with resolving specific training problems you encounter throughout the dog’s career. D

Summing Up
Both Mecklenburg and Salo have developed programs to take the dog from a basic foundation stage through the advanced stages of jump training, while moving through multiple jumps in exercises challenging the dog to shift between collection and extension. Some dogs are very naturally focused on their handlers and forward-striding work using targets may help them. Conversely, some dogs are very powerful and already focused forward; so jumping long

Ann lives in San Diego with her Border Collies, Trigger, Flurry, Kit, and Stun. Her first agility dogs, Bostons Mystic (1992-2004) and Chance (1992-2007), achieved many agility firsts for their breed. Chance, Caper (Ann’s first BC, 1996- 2007), and Trigger are all double agility champions, MACH2 and ADCH, and have all been AKC Nationals finalists, with Trigger placing second overall in 2003. Trigger and her teammates won the 2004 DAM National Team Championship. Ann now teaches full time at her training center, Paws on the Wind Dog Sports, and is also an AKC and USDAA judge. Ann invites you to “friend” her on Facebook. Learn more at www.pawsonthewind.com. July 11 | Clean Run 33

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Clean Run - July 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - July 2011