Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 9

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Figure 4 I would start with a lead-out pivot from #1 to #2 because I can’t make a straight-line front cross from #1 to #2. It is important to be consistent with your cues even when it seems obvious. Do a front cross at #2 to #3 so the dog is on your right around the pinwheel. Why not try to keep your dog on your right going to #6? Can you keep your dog out of the wrong side of the tunnel? It’s easy to put a front cross there but the threadle is a bigger challenge, plus it will put you in a better position for a front cross between #7 and #8. Once your dog is in the tunnel, do a front cross between #6 and #7, and again between #7 and #8. Finish with your dog on your right and serpentine the 270 to the weave poles. If your dog is not used to your executing a serpentine at a 270, you may need to stop and reward him a few times before sequencing to the weave poles.

Figure 5 Lead out between #1 and #2. As your dog commits to #2, turn toward and start moving to #3. Send your dog to #3 and support #4 while you get in position to push through to the tunnel. While your dog is in the tunnel, hustle to get in a double front cross on each side of #7 and send to the weave poles. You could serpentine from #6 through #8; however, for it to go smoothly, you need to be pushing past #7 toward the weave poles as your dog is taking off for #7 or you will be late. Yet another option is to keep your dog on your left, wrapping your dog around the right stanchion of #7 to #8. They are all great skills to have. Which is fastest for your dog? If your dog is going wide from #2 to #3 or going as far as taking an off-course over #7, stop and work on just this bit. First make sure that you are not facing jump #7 when your dog takes off for #2. You may also want to try to practice #1 to #2 to #4, rewarding your dog for following your path. Then go back to #1, #2, #3, then reward and have a game.

Figure 6 Start with a lead-out pivot between #2 and #3. A little forward movement toward #3 and your lateral movement toward #4 should cue a tight turn to #4. Do a front cross on the landing side of #4 to put the dog on your right and get far enough along to support #6. (By having your dog on your right, it will be easier for you to be in position to support the takeoff side of #7.) Once your dog is in the tunnel, do a front cross, then pick him up on your left. When your dog is on the takeoff side of #7, do a front cross to put the dog on your right, and then send your dog over #7. Wrap the dog to his left; turning your dog in this direction sets a better line to #8 and #9. But once you cue your dog for #7, you better hurry to put a front cross on the landing side of #8. You could also do a rear cross at #9, but make sure it is smooth so you set the line to the weave poles. A late rear cross will most likely pull your dog off the weave poles.

Canine Therapeutic Massage Seminar and Instruction with Cindy DiFranco, DVM Information every agility handler should know for keeping their dogs healthy and sound. Massaging your own dog allows you to:  Monitor your dog’s health and soundness  Prepare and recover your dog’s body from the stress of training and trialing  Detect conditions before they become problematic  Enhance your connection with your dog Seminars include informational PowerPoint presentation and individual instruction on your own dog. Available for clubs, training centers and private groups. Contact for availability and pricing.

difrancodogz@aol.com • 928.606.1926
May 10 | Clean Run 9

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Clean Run Magazine -May 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine -May 2010