Clean Run - July 2012 - 16

This visualization includes two winged jumps and a 15' blue tunnel. Read through this visualization and then close your eyes and picture it as clearly as possible, in full color and sound. Picture the blue tunnel in a “C” shape, 15' away, with both entrances facing toward you. There is a winged jump on your left and a winged jump on your right, each facing a tunnel entrance square on. Your dog is on your right side, waiting behind the right-hand jump to be sent forward over the jump and directly into the tunnel on a straight line. Release him over the jump and send him to the tunnel. When you know he is going into the tunnel (How do you know? What does he look like when he commits?), turn, move across, and touch the left-hand jump with your right hand. Where is the dog when you touch the jump? Is he still in the tunnel or will he already be coming out? Set up the sequence and try it for real. How accurate was your visualization? Spread the exercise out so the jumps aren’t that easy to get to and test the accuracy of your visualization again. Have you ever been that aware of your dog before? Set up a simple pattern like a figure-eight of jumps, something you are comfortable with. Don’t walk the sequence, just look at it from the sides. Picture handling it with all front crosses and then go out and try to handle it. Come off and picture handling it with all rear crosses and then go out and do it without walking it. Build up to running difficult course sets without walking them, just looking at them from the sides. Never use numbers on the course. This forces you to picture the course and remember it differently. Putting yourself out of your comfort zone creates new learning and prepares you for the day you miss your walkthrough, walk the course wrong and realize it afterward, walk the course early in the morning and run it late in the day, or are running multiple dogs and have to adjust for each.

Agility Mind Gym Exercise 1

Agility Mind Gym Exercise 2

ing, your first instinct is usually your best. However, if I have walked two different options and I am confident in my visualization skills, I can change my plan in my mind and it doesn’t really matter which one I physically walked last. So if I see the course is running very differently from what I expected, I can change my plan with decisiveness and commitment. I vi-

sualize the new plan as if it was the one I intended all along. The reason changing your mind often doesn’t work is because you have doubts and as a result you don’t commit with intent to any handling choice. We have all seen someone run a wrong course and then been confused ourselves. It is because it is what is in your mind that counts. The stronger

your visualization skills are, the less important course walking becomes. The exercises this month will help improve your ability to memorize courses, if you practice. And yes, you can get better at it! Next time, we will discuss how to get into “the flow” and change on the fly. D

Kathy Keats has been competing in elite athletics her entire life, with great success. She has been fascinated with human potential and peak performance and has dedicated much of her life to learning how to apply these principles in her various endeavors, as well as teaching others how to reach their potential. Kathy’s success at the national and international level in multiple venues demonstrates a plan for success, not simply a talent in one area. Kathy wants to see everyone become the best they can be and reach their goals in whatever life path they choose. You can reach her at kathy@theagilitycoach.ca.

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Clean Run - July 2012

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