Clean Run - September 2019 - 45

Signs a Dog Is Struggling with the "Stay Put" Job

all parts of your line-up routine to
be super easy for the dog. I also
do line-ups in places where my
dogs' adrenaline might be getting
the better part of their brains; for
example, my dogs lose their brains
at swimming holes, so we do a few
line-ups there; they get to swim for
their reward. Same goes for biting
the hose water and seeing grandma. I get what I want, and you get
what you want. Everybody is happy.

* I teach sit, down, and stand on ver-

bal commands (no additional physical cue) at a distance. Having strong
positional cues at a distance creates
confidence through a higher level
of control at a distance. This level of
training can clear up many of the unwanted responses on the list as well
as opening up other training doors.

* I teach my dogs to push their paws

into the ground on the sit-stay. Sit is
as much about the front paws being
firmly planted as it is about the rear
end being on the ground. I use a bit
of the dog's opposition reflex to do
this by gently and slowing pushing
on the back of their lower leg close
to the elbow, expecting them to

push into the ground in order to not
move a paw. I use soft (cooing-like)
praise and reward slowly and deliberately as I train it. You can use a
block or a book (I cover mine in nonskid drawer liner material) for the
dogs to place their front paws on to
emphasize their front paws for them.
I take all "paw activities" very seriously outside of agility as well. That just
means I maintain criteria in everyday
scenarios like at door thresholds and
crates and during games and exercises that include a job for the paws.
I figure it will be easier on my dogs
to understand that all of the rules
about paws are important, not some.

* Long walks and hiking always in-

clude the stay/lead-out game when
it is safe to do so. I leave my dogs
on a stay and recall them by name
one at a time, and I repeat this a
few times. I alternate who goes
first, richly rewarding the one who
stayed (he has the harder of the two
jobs). I also will release them together and let them race each other
to me; the rule is "no touching each
other" during the race; I don't allow
biting or slamming. I love thinking
of them working on their sprinting
skills as well as their control skills.
These lead-outs are often longer
than an agility field.

* Practice more line-ups; you want

I recommend addressing these signs
as soon as you see them. Here are my
tips for doing so.

* Creating a lead-out routine that

includes heeling and leash removal
is another part of having successful
lead-out. Develop one and practice
it at class and training sessions, not
just at trials. The routine should be
a fun experience for you both, filled
with positive energy. Drill it at your
own peril. Be prepared to modify if
needed as your dog's learning increases or decreases.

You may find that you need to do
additional maintenance training
around agility equipment with your
lead-outs. Your regular sequence and
course work training might not be
enough to strengthen and maintain
the lead-out you need. I do mine while
I reset the bars when I practice. It is the
only saving grace to owning three dogs
in three jump heights!
I line my dog(s) up to my leg (my onside foot sets the line to the obstacles)
and go set a bar or two. I release my
dog to take the jump or two and repeat
the routine until all the jumps are set.
Yes, it does take extra time, maybe 4 or
5 whole minutes-such a cheap and
easy investment for me to make in my
training program. D

Sandy Rogers has been teaching obedience and agility since 1991. Her career switched to focus solely on agility in 1999 when she founded ACE Dog Sports in San Francisco,
California. Sandy's specialty is helping the average handler get to the next level and getting the most out of non-traditional breeds. Her students' accomplishments are
a source of pride in and out of the competition ring. With her Border Collie Brink and JRT Quill Sandy is a four-time National Champion and has proudly represented
the USA at the World Agility Open in 2011, 2012, and 2013 where "Quilly" brought home gold, silver, and bronze medals. Sandy has written for Clean Run since 2009,
teaches seminars in person and online, and has two DVDs available.
September 19 | Clean Run

Clean Run - September 2019

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