Clean Run - April 2018 - 12

MY FAVORITE

JumPing
Imagine that you are preparing for a big event
but your agility equipment has vanished!
All you have are two or three jumps. We asked
top-level trainers from all over the country about
what they would do under these circumstances.
The exercises they offer are sequences you can
do even if you have limited space and obstacles.
This month's exercise is provided
by Marla Cooper
© cinDy nolanD

This is one of my favorite jump exercises because it is an easy
to set up commitment drill that allows you to work on sends
and your dog's commitment to obstacles. I call it a "cue and
go" exercise. The idea is to send your dog to jump and move
in the opposite direction a little earlier each time so that
eventually you and your dog are passing each other. The dog
should learn to take the obstacle you have cued even if you
start to move away from that obstacle. This drill is really important for people who can't run as fast as their dogs.
Start with your dog on your left. The dog will wrap #1, #3,
#5, and #7 to the right and #2, #4, #6, and #8 to the left. If the
dog starts to pull off a jump, you can toss the reward forward
in the direction you want your dog to jump (over the jump)
as you start to move in the opposite direction.
Next start with your dog on your right. The dog will wrap #1,
#3, #5, and #7 to the left and #2, #4, #6, and #8 to the right.
With success you can slowly start to move the jumps farther
and farther apart so that your dog has to commit earlier and
earlier to the jump that you cued.
Once you have mastered this simple setup, you can start to
work on the cue and go exercise in various other setups.
On a side note: I strive to work with the dog I have in front
of me and not require the dog to do things that are not
comfortable for him. If your dog does not drive to the jump
with enthusiasm, it might be best to work on some drivebuilding exercises ﬁrst. Always remember that the most
important thing in dog training is conﬁdence building and
becoming one with your dog. D

40
2

10
10

Commitment
Drill
20
30

Marla is a producer and a college professor. She trains her dogs in agility and also has a special interest in drive building, trick training and animal acting. In addition to
being a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KSA), a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI), and an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator (CGC) Marla has an M.A. and a
B.A. in Communications, several California teaching credentials, and also graduated from wild animal training school where she worked with wolves, lions, and tigers.
Before becoming involved in agility Marla was a professional ballroom dancer and believes that agility is really a dance with your dog. Marla's father is world-famous
horse trainer Boyd Zontelli whose animal training philosophy is to "become one" with your animal partner. Marla follows in his footsteps with her belief that to be a
great dog trainer you must become one with your dog. Marla can be contacted at Spritzigbordercollies.com or creativedogs@gmail.com.
12

Clean Run | April 18

http://www.Spritzigbordercollies.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - April 2018