Clean Run - February 2015 - 13

The key to establishing consistent style, speed, and independence is
proper timing and placement of the reward throughout the training process.
Many weave problems can be traced back to a dog's focus on the handler
in anticipation of his reward. My preferred method of training is to establish
a motivational object that can be placed out in front of the weave poles so
the dog will drive to it for his reward. The ideal object is something you and
your dog can play with together, such as a tug toy, and something you can
eventually carry with you and throw ahead once you are at an advanced
stage of weave training.
Food may also be used in this training; however, it should be placed in a container such as a pouch, empty water bottle, etc. Put some tasty, high-value
treats in the container in the presence of the dog. If the dog touches the container with his nose, deliver a treat to him from the container. Shape the dog
to touch the container to get you to give him a treat, then you may proceed as
described below for the tug toy.
The following steps will come easiest if you have already introduced your dog
to being reinforced for standing alongside you and being held by the collar
in his foundation training. If your dog shows any hesitation or discomfort being handled this way, then break the exercise down and introduce each part
alone.
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Initiate a game of tug with your dog or get your dog interested in your food
container. Take the toy or container away from the dog and drop it to the
ground immediately. As soon as the dog picks up the tug toy, resume the
tug game. If you're using food, as soon as he touches the container on
the ground, give him a treat from the container. Repeat so that your dog is
immediately picking up the toy or touching the container in anticipation of
continuing the game.
Next we want to able to restrain the dog and have him go forward away
from us. Introduce this by initiating the tug game or getting your dog
interested in your food container. This time, as you take the toy or food
container, simultaneously take the dog by the collar, drop the toy or food
container, and release the dog in quick succession. Repeat until the dog is
doing the exercise very quickly.
Now you can start to add distance gradually. Repeat the previous step, but
this time when you take the dog's collar, gently maneuver him so he is facing
toward the toy or the food container and away from you as shown in the
photos. Rather than throwing the motivator, drop it in place and then move
your dog a step back from the motivator. Release your dog to the motivator,
step forward, and reward with tug or a treat from the container. Work from

one step away from the tug up
to 6'-8' away, keeping in mind
that doing short distances with
confidence and speed are better
than doing longer distances slowly
or without confidence. Remember
to always follow your dog to the
motivator, catch up, and tug or
deliver the treat after he touches
the container.

Basic Weaves Exercise
Now it is time to pair your motivator
with weave training. You will need a
set of 12 poles.
If you are introducing a new dog to
weaving, or improved speed and/or
style are your training goals, then I
recommend channel weaves or tilting weaves (a.k.a. Weave-A-Matics
or WAMs). I feel the dog develops
speed, style, and forward focus
most reliably using either of these
methods. (I do work with dogs using
2x2s as an alternative method for
entry work, but I wait until the dog
already has his weaving behavior
down pat.) WAMs are the perfect
choice if single stepping is your goal
for your dog; channels are perfect
for all dogs. With WAMs, the dog
also really gets the idea that he will
enter the weaves on his left lead
early in training.
If you are starting a new dog with
channels, start with the channel
open at least as wide as your dog's
body up to 1.5 times your dog's
body width. Since the dog will not
be weaving initially, you can start a
younger dog in channels, but I do
© ann croft

Establish a motivator: If using a tug toy, get your dog tugging. Have your dog release the toy. Drop it to ground and resume the game as soon as
your dog picks it up. Work toward restraining your dog by your side and releasing him to toy in front of you. Your dog may be sitting or standing as
shown. If using food in a container, work through the stages in the same way but have the dog touch the container prior to receiving a treat from it.
February 15 | Clean Run

Clean Run - February 2015

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