Clean Run Magazine - September 2007 - 25

Down Ramp Exercise #2 Repeat the drills described earlier in this article in “Proofing the Dogwalk and A-frame” as well as the “Two Tunnels” drill from last month’s article; however, this time begin each drill by sending the dog over the jump and then onto the dogwalk. Short Sequencing with the Entire Obstacle Now we’re ready to start running some short sequences using the entire dogwalk and A-frame. One-jump Approach Start with just a one-jump approach. Stand half way between the jump and the contact obstacle. Move forward after releasing the dog. Reward with a tossed toy or food or send to a stationary toy to reward. Down Ramp Exercise #3 Place a second wing jump on the other side of the down ramp, perpendicular to the top edge of the contact zone. Set up a tunnel about 15' away from the down ramp in the shape of a “C. This configuration allows you to move with ” the dog through a variety of sequences and get multiple touch board hits. For example, send the dog over a jump, onto the plank, release to the tunnel, and then send over the opposite jump and back onto the plank. For all these exercises, move with your dog but vary your handling to include rear crosses and front crosses into the tunnel. Other Approaches Working the dog equally off your right and left, continue training short approaches. Put a tunnel in front of the contact obstacle, then add a jump or two for speed before the tunnel, and then try starting with a 180 or a pinwheel. These approaches build your dog’s speed but allow you to keep your handling simple. You can add more equipment to the contact approach as your dog is successful with the speed of the above-mentioned approaches and any variety of handling positions. Adding Lateral Distance to the Approach Now go back to a one-jump approach, and start working on lateral distance from the obstacle. I like to use something to define the distance I’m working at, like a bar placed on the ground. You can move this marker as you add distance and it will help you not to converge toward your dog’s path. When your dog is successful with you at a given distance from the obstacle (for example, with you 10' away laterally) add more equipment to the approach so there is more speed and handler motion to start. With success at that distance and increased speed, add more distance; for example, move 12' away laterally. Any time you increase your lateral distance or your distance behind your dog, begin with a toy placed in front of the plank to ensure your dog doesn’t check back in with you unnecessarily. Send the dog over a jump, onto the plank, and then release to the tunnel. Down Ramp Exercise #4 Using the same setup as the previous exercise, send your dog to the jump with lateral distance. By now, your dog should understand how to hop onto the dogwalk and hit the touch board accurately. Stand to the side, increasing the lateral distance with each repetition, and send your dog over the jump and onto the down ramp. Maintain your lateral distance as your dog hits the touch board. Use a tossed reward or the tunnel to reward your dog for a correct touch board performance. Down Ramp Exercise #5 Place a jump to the side of the down ramp, and practice turning the dog off the ramp to the jump on the side, instead of going into the tunnel. Practice turning the dog off the ramp to the jump on the side, instead of going into the tunnel. Using a jump before the contact obstacle, begin adding lateral distance to the approach. September 07 | Clean Run 25

Clean Run Magazine - September 2007

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