Clean Run Magazine - August 2007 - 38

Achieving Fast, Reliable, and Independent Weaves Additional Training and Handling Work Article and photos by Ann Croft In my previous article, “Achieving Fast, Reliable, and Independent Weaves,” published in CR February 2007, I outlined a step-bystep method for training weave poles using a combination of the channel weave poles and the Weave-A-Matic (WAM). The article provided details to enable you to teach your dog to weave in the single-step or bounce style. It laid the foundation to allow you to send your dog ahead to the weave poles, to help your dog find entrances independently from multiple angles, and to allow you to do a rear cross at the weaves. This follow-up article will provide some additional training tips and focus on more advanced proofing, training, and handling for the weave poles. Additional Round-the-clock Work Once your dog is competently weaving with straight poles it is time to revisit your round-the-clock work as shown in Figure 1. Your early work with the open channel has prepared him to look for the poles and find the entry, and your work with the WAM has helped him learn to enter on the left lead. Now it is time to expand that understanding to help him find the entry, make the first turn, and carry on weaving a straight set of poles from any angle. Using the same plan that you used in steps 4 and 5 of “Training with the Weave Pole Channel,” CR February 2007, work entries between 10 and 2 o’clock with the now straight set of poles. Goals My goals in advanced weave pole training are to be able to send my dog ahead from any angle to the weave poles and to be able to move to my next handling position while he completes the poles. The keys to these objectives are to teach the dog to recognize the weave pole entrance from a distance, to engage the weave poles and continue weaving from any angle, and to stay in the poles until completion independent of handler position. We laid the foundation for success with these training goals by following the steps detailed in the previous article: • We have taught the dog to weave by removing the reward from the handler’s body and placing it beyond the exit of the weave poles, so the dog’s focus is always forward and on the job at hand. • We further encouraged the dog’s independence by having the handler release the dog to the poles from a distance of 6' to 8' from the very beginning. • We initiated entry work at the open-channel stage of training through the use of the round-the-clock method, and we extended this entry work from a distance of 6' to 8' to 15'. • We introduced simple rear crosses at the weaves. Step 1 Place your motivator 6' beyond the weave poles. Use a tug toy, or if your dog is more interested in food than toys, use treats in some sort of easy-open container. Starting 6' away from the poles, with the dog on your right, send your dog to the poles from the 12 o’clock position (straight in front). Follow the dog and reward him with a tug game or a treat from the container. When you’re done rewarding the dog, drop the motivator 1 11 10 9 12 1 2 3 Naming the Obstacle I recommend delaying naming the weave poles until you have actually begun weave-motion training and you are certain the dog will remain in the poles until completed. I prefer the word to be associated with both the obstacle itself and the behavior required to execute it. Most people use either the command Weave or Poles. 38 When working the 9 o’clock side of the clock, start with the dog on your left and gradually move to your right to make the entries more difficult. 8 7 6 5 4 When working the 3 o’clock side of the clock, start with the dog on your right and gradually move to your left to make the entries more difficult. T Clean Run | August 07

Clean Run Magazine - August 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - August 2007