Clean Run Magazine - December 2008 - 14

Glenda Timmerman From day one of your training, be sure your dog understands that he should never cross behind you. Never reward your dog if he attempts this. There are several exercises you can teach your dog to ensure that he understands that it is better to be either on your right side or your left side. A good place to start would be to line the dog up on your left and tell him to stay. Throw your toy with your left hand and say Get It. Make sure he goes straight out and gets the toy. Work both sides and when you are having success with this, add distance. You can also use food to train this behavior instead of a toy. © clean run Glenda, who trains at Power Paws in California, is a 2004 and 2005 AKC World Team member with Shetland Sheepdog MACH6 Bailey, UD (Mini). Bailey is also a 2003 AKC Nationals finalist and the 60-weave-pole challenge record holder for 8”, 12”, and 16” dogs for 2003. Contact Glenda at crazy4baileyandshelby@yahoo.com. Another very good exercise is to stand next to your dog and have a 180° turn pictured in your mind; actually draw the line in your mind. This is called the no-blind-cross zone, or blind cross body line (BCBL), as Greg Derrett describes. Line the dog up on your left and throw the toy behind you to the right. Step forward and call the dog to you. Do not let the dog go behind you to the toy. Have a better toy in your hand or a great food reward. After the dog gets the reward, swing him around your leg, go to the toy on the ground, and say Get It. This will teach the dog that he is to come to you and not to go behind you. Practice on both sides. Circle work is also a good way to teach the dog to stay on one side of you. You can use a toy or food. Start by just walking with the dog on the right or left side. Be sure to reward the dog for staying with you. Build up to a trot, and eventually you will be able to do this while running. Once you think your dog really understands the no-blind-cross zone or BCBL, you can practice these same ideas when the dog exits the tunnel. Be sure to stand close to the tunnel at first. Reward the dog for coming to your side and not going behind you. You can also do this exercise when the dog exits the weave poles or contacts. Be sure to have a good reward in your hand that is closest to the dog and practice on both sides. If your dog does go behind you, either put your hand in the collar and say something to let him know that he was incorrect, or react quickly and throw a toy in front of you, or even better, to the side he was supposed to be on. If your dog is crossing behind you on course, this tells you that your dog does not really understand the idea of staying with you on either side of your body. Go back and train some of these exercises or others to instill in your dog’s mind that crossing behind you is not what you want. If your dog does understand this concept and is still crossing behind you, perhaps you are getting too far ahead of him or you are taking your eyes off your dog. Be sure to keep your eyes on your dog when he is coming out of tunnels and keep your hand out to remind him where he needs to be. D Next, you can do the same exercise, but instead of staying beside your dog, lead out and recall your dog to either side. Have your hand (the one closest to the dog) out with food or a toy. Be sure to work both sides. Brenna Fender is a freelance writer with an undergraduate degree in mass communications and a masters degree in elementary education. She lives with her husband, two young children, a Vizsla, a Whippet, and a cat. The dogs are collectively titled in agility, obedience, conformation, hunting, rally, and lure coursing. The cat, husband, and children are lacking in this regard. Contact Brenna at BrennaFender@gmail.com. 14 Clean Run | December 08

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Clean Run Magazine - December 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - December 2008