Clean Run - March 2012 - 43

Fading the Plunger When the behavior of loading and running onto the board is reliable with the plunger, I lower the height of the plunger to 12" and then to 4", and then to just the head of the plunger. Remember to place the plunger at the outside corner of the board to allow the dog maximum room to load on the board.

I don’t want him going all the way to the beginning of the board and leaping on. The stride regulator helps him run on because it makes him shorten his stride before the board rather than at the base of the board. Using the stride regulators, follow the training progression shown in Figure 7. I use the stride regulators only when I find my dog needs some assistance with solving the problem of how to “steady up” to run up the contact. The criteria of running up with either front foot in the lead is my criteria. The stride regulator is really only there to help solve the question of distance. When it comes to the A-frame approach and the up contact, I do more with stride regulators because I don’t want my dog to get on the A-frame right from the base. I want him to turn on the flat on the way to the A-frame. I prefer that he does this with a little more space than the plunger allows and I want him to load so that he is centered on the A-frame. As illustrated in Figure 8, I do all the angles to the A-frame with the stride regulators on the ground just as I did with the plunger.

7
6'

Place the stride regulator 6' away for bigger dogs and 4' for smaller dogs. Throw the reward toward the end of the teeter.

Move the dog back to add distance.

As I fade the plunger, I work all the same entrances as before. Once my dog is successful with the lowest height plunger, I do the entrances with the plunger head and then I do the work without the plunger. As always, I will let my dog continue onto the plank if he is correct and mark it with a “wrong” and call him off is he is incorrect. Once I have done all this, I move the behavior to the seesaw or dogwalk. The process of moving this behavior over to the dogwalk or seesaw should be quite brief. I bring out the shortest of the plungers for a session and work some entrances. If all goes well, I’ll fade the plunger right away. I will only bring the plunger back out if I find that my dog needs a refresher with the skill.

Add a lead-in jump or tunnel.

8
6' 6'

Place the stride regulator 6' away for bigger dogs and 4' for smaller dogs. Throw the reward toward the end of the A-frame. Move the dog back to add distance.

Special Training for Up Contacts
There are a couple things I do to help a dog with his up contact. For straight-on approaches to the contacts, I use a speed bump or stride regulator (can also be an 8" jump) placed approximately 6' from the board for a big dog (20" or taller) or 4' from the board for a smaller dog. I find that it helps him to avoid getting too close to the board.

Add a lead in jump or tunnel.

Summary
As with any piece of agility equipment, a correct approach is the first step toward success in the execution of the contact. Using this method, I hope your dog will learn how to load onto all contacts with speed, independence, and safety. D

Jen has been actively competitive in agility for over 17 years has put 8 ADCHs and several MACHs on her Border Collies, Jack Russells, mix breed, and Sheltie as well as being a three-time AKC World Team Member with BC Static. Jen is currently competing with her mix breed Taser, Border Collie Guilty, and her Sheltie Britain. Jen and Taser are the 16" 2011 National Steeplechase Champions. Jen was also on the podium with her Sheltie Britain, taking 3rd. She repeated the dual placements in the 2011 Grand Prix Finals, taking 2nd with Taser and 3rd with Britain. In addition to her skills as a competitor, Jen’s excellent teaching ability and ability to adapt to different styles of dogs makes her a highly sought after presenter/instructor across the country. Jen and her husband Bill reside in Lapeer, Michigan where she teaches for FiredUp K9s and Highest Hope Dog Sports. She also conducts seminars and workshops around the country. Contact her at firedupk9@yahoo.com. March 12 | Clean Run 43

Clean Run - March 2012

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