Clean Run - April 2013 - 63

The sections that follow contain exercises you can use to develop all four skills.

A Word About
trAining Methods
A variety of methods are available for
teaching agility skills. I believe that all of
the available (positive) tools in the toolbox should be used if they are effective.
The exercises here use targeting, toys as
a lure and as a reward, and a clicker or
marker word to tell the dog that he has
done the exercise correctly.
There is a plethora of material available
about operant conditioning (clicker training), so the principles will not be described
here. Use a clicker or a marker word
like “Yes” to mark correct performance
even when a target or toy is also used.

using tArgets
effectively

never searched for a target on course
because by the time they trial, the target
is only randomly present in training.

troubleshooting
As with any training session, it is important to know when to lower criteria
(reduce the level of difficulty) to avoid
frustrating the dog and the handler. The
goal is to challenge the dog but not allow him to fail repeatedly or cause him
to lose his motivation. When teaching independence, start at the point at which
the dog was successful during the last
training session. If the dog fails more than
once, move back to the previous step or
distance until he is successful. It is also appropriate to lower the contact obstacles
to build confidence when you begin directing from a distance. Repeat the exercises with the equipment at full height
when the dog understands his job.

If you
build it...
they can
run!

Targeting is a valuable tool when teaching independence. The dog is taught to
drive to a target, which can be a lid, small
square of cardboard, or anything else the
dog can easily see. A target can also be
baited with food in the initial stages of
training, so the dog will drive to it without assistance from the handler. If you
train alone and are using a baited target,
you can avoid having the dog self-reward
by using a small, sealed container with
holes punched in it. If the dog performs
correctly, open the lid and let him take
the treat out of the container. You can
also purchase toys with Velcro pouches
that prevent the dog from getting the
treats himself.

Another key to training distance and independence is to increase distance between you and your dog gradually over
multiple training sessions. When the
instructions say to repeat the exercise,
moving away or ahead, the repetitions
should be spread out over several training sessions. Finally, it is extremely important that your body language and position
support the dog as he is completing each
obstacle. If you are having trouble with
a specific exercise, and lowering criteria
does not help, ensure you are using the
correct body language and position (see
my article in CR February 2013).

tunnels

1" and 2" vinyl tape

Obviously, there will be no targets on
the course at an agility trial. Handlers
may be concerned that the dog will not
perform the same behaviors without
a target. Fading the target in training
ensures that the dog will perform obstacles without assuming there is something at the end. As the dog becomes
more proficient, the target can be baited
randomly instead of every time. It can be
decreased in size until it is small enough
that the dog cannot see whether or
not it is there from a distance. Finally,
the target can be used randomly during
practice so the dog never knows if it will
be present or not. I use targets sporadically during practice even with my experienced dogs to maintain their motivation and reinforce criteria. They have

Tunnels are a good place to begin teaching independent obstacle performance
because most dogs enjoy them. In addition, once the dog enters, the only error
that he can make is to turn around and
come out of the same end of the tunnel.

1" and 11/4" PVC pipe
in red, yellow, blue,
violet, and white

April 13

Clean Run

Jump cup strips
Clip-on jump cups
PVC ttings: 3-way,
4-way, and 5-way
connectors

Send
Place a target or toy at the end of the
tunnel, about 4' away for small dogs and
6-8' for large dogs. If you’re using a target, place food on it. Take the dog by the
collar, and show him the reward. Get the
dog excited about it by letting him pull
toward it and telling him that it is for him,
doesn’t he want it, etc. It is very important
at this point not to tell the dog to Leave
it or use any method to keep him away
from the reward other than the collar.

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Clean Run - April 2013

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