Clean Run Magazine - December 2006 - 45

Distance of Trainer If your dog will perform reliably when he is very close
to you, start moving a little farther away before you give your dog the
cue. As you gradually build up the distance you are away from your dog
remember to decrease the difficulty of the other Ds. A dog that is
confidently handling the obstacles at greater distances from you while you
are competing can be an asset. You may find you spend a great deal of time
on distance work, due to the variety of obstacles and situations you and
your dog will encounter when competing. Duration of Exercise Our childhood
teachers were wise. Do When the dog is successful for short periods of
time, you remember Dr. Seuss and gang? try extending the exercise a
little. Ping-pong back and I knew Dr. Seuss was a dog trainer forth on
duration: your setup might be 25 seconds, then when he came out with this
brilliant the next time 10 seconds, and next 40 seconds, and so tidbit
delivered to me recently via the on. Although the amount of time the dog
sits on the unique imagination of a fellow dog pause table is
predetermined, not all judges count at trainer, Suzanne Clothier. Surely
they the same speed. If you are working on a fluent sit at the were
talking about the four Ds! start line, the duration will vary with each of
your runs. I do not always heed commands, How much time will it take you to
set up for your first obstacle and start your run? By varying the duration
My dear but often silly man. of the sit you are also letting your dog know
that the I might not sit if near a goat, duration of the sit won't always
be the same. How could I lay down on a boat? Diversity of Perhaps I'd lie
down in the house, Environment But not if I have seen a mouse. If your dog
performs well in his usual, calm Don't tell me heel when I've training
environment home, local park, smelled a fox, training class , it's time to
complicate matters a Or found the biscuits in the box. little by
introducing distractions and taking him to different places to practice.
There are many different I'd find it odd to hear words said, factors to
consider when you are competing in If you were standing on your head.
agility. Will the pause table be hot because it's a sunny day or will it
be cold and wet because it's And wonder if stay means been raining? When
the judge is counting at the do come here, pause table, what is the tone
of voice used? Where will the judge be standing close to your dog, or far
If you said it to me from a chair. away? What will you be wearing? Do you
wear a hat I cannot always just obey, and sunglasses when you run? Do you
wear a hat and sunglasses when you practice with your dog? What about
smells: is someone eating a hamburger nearby? What Whatever silly words
you say. about sounds: dogs barking, children playing, planes flying
overhead. Sights: is your Cause if I'm staring at the cat, dog's best
buddy human or canine standing right outside the ring? Is a bird flying
overhead, or a balloon floating by? What type of surface are you running
on green I will not hear you grass or the dirt floor of a horse arena with
all the accompanying interesting smells? that is THAT! Is the agility ring
close to a busy highway or near fairgrounds where you can hear fireworks
explode? You can help your dog by setting up as many diverse environments
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Clean Run Magazine - December 2006

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - December 2006
