Practicing tricks that promote focus while waiting. © Karen hocKer photography © clean run © clean run Figure-eights through the legs being used to warm up the dog and promote focus while waiting to run. Some handlers tug with their dog while waiting to build excitement. After the Run Just as important as your agility pre-run routine is your post-run routine. Yet this is when some handlers seem to ignore their dog in their rush to get their score sheet or discuss their run with others. Go straight to your dog's reward. I place my dog's end of run reward strategically near the ring exit. Maintain your connection as you give them some time to cool down before returning them to their crate. Don't leave your teammate hanging! Stephen focuses on a quiet connection with Piper after the run as well as before. © matt allison photography © jamie mcKay © clean run Go straight to your dog's reward when you finish the run! The handler maintains a connection while getting the leash on her dog and preparing to leave the ring. Summing It Up Your run starts the minute you take your dog out of their crate and ends when you return them. In the crowded, noisy crating area and narrow paths to and from the ring, it may not be feasible to increase your distance from other teams. If your dog is looking at or hears something, then it's on their radar! The responsibility is on you to keep people and dogs safe as you proceed to and from the ring. Every dog is unique; what you do with one of your dogs will differ from what you do with your other dog, which will differ from what other competitors do with their dogs. If you run more than one dog close together in the same jump height, you will need to be even more inventive and organized. Plan and practice a pre- and post-run routine, and your transition from crate to ring and back will be smooth sailing. D Jamie McKay CPDT KSA and her husband Stephen McKay CPDT KSA own McKay9 Dog Training LLC in Westchester, New York. They are loved and owned by Shetland Sheepdogs Tease and Derby and Border Collies Scorch and Grip. In addition to her private clients, Jamie teaches Dog Training 101 to volunteers at the Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle and a variety of group classes for Portchester Obedience Training Club. Despite many years of agility involvement, she is just now training her first teammate Tease and enjoying the ride. Jamie can be reached at jamiemckay@optonline.net or through www.McKay9.com. September 19 | Clean Run 25http://www.McKay9.com