Clean Run - September 2012 - 37

Rotate away from the dog when he's past the first tunnel entry (shoulder rotation will be clockwise) clockwise).

Use a front cross to turn the dog left from #4 to #5.

Rotate away from your dog as he commits to jump #4 (your shoulder rotation will be clockwise).

4 6

Rotate in the same direction your dog is turning (your shoulder rotation will be counter clockwise).

Turn left with a rear cross on the flat.

Rotate away from your dog as you do the blind cross (your shoulder rotation will be clockwise).

• Turn right with an outside arm: Use a blend of inside (left)

and outside arms (right) to cue jump #4. As the dog commits to jump #4, face the dog and use your outside (right) arm to draw the dog around the wing and past the ﬁrst end of the tunnel. See Figure 1j.

• Pull: Pull with your dog on your right from #6 to #7, using
deceleration and/or lateral motion.

• Front cross: Do a front cross from #6 to #7. • Pull with collection arm: With your dog on your right, use
a blend of your inside (right) and outside (left) arms for additional collection. into him so that you are facing him as he commits to the jump. As your dog commits, turn to your right (away from the dog) so that you are doing a blind cross while he is jumping. The dog should land on your right side with your right shoulder already presenting. Eye contact over your right shoulder is a critical cue presented. See Figure 1o.

• Turn left with a front cross. See Figure 1k. • Turn left with a blind cross wrap. See Figure 1l. • Turn left with a post turn. See Figure 1m. • Turn left with a rear cross on the ﬂat. See Figure 1n.
Choices from #5 to #6 • Pull: As the dog exits the tunnel on your right, pull from #5 to #6.

• Blind cross wrap: As your dog is approaching #6, rotate

• As the dog exits the tunnel, have him on your left on the

approach to #6. Choices from #6 to #7 • Rear cross: If the dog was on your left as he exited the tunnel, do a rear cross at jump #6 and pull to #7.

Now build your handling plan from these options. Choose the options that start with your dog on the same side as the previous sequence ﬁnished. See how many ways you can handle these seven obstacles. Feel free to come up with options I may not have covered. Good luck and most of all have fun! D

I do believe that to be the best competitor you can be, when you see a sequence in competition, rather than fret about how to get through it you should have several different ways to do it in your toolbox. Then, you can choose the one that best ﬁts the situation or the dog’s best skills.
Mary Ellen has been involved in agility since 1994 and has achieved the USDAA ADCH with four Border Collies, Zoe, Fizz, E-Z, and Maizy. Mary Ellen has competed internationally three times, 2006 IFCS in the Netherlands with Fizz (three-time gold medalist); 2008 IFCS Belgium with Fizz; and WAO 2010 in the United Kingdom with Maizy. She has also been in the USDAA finals in all three tournaments multiple times with all of her dogs. She lives in Norristown, Pennsylvania, with her husband George and offers private lessons and agility seminars. Contact her via e-mail at mebarry@kineticdog.com. September 12 | Clean Run 37

Clean Run - September 2012

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