Clean Run Magazine - June 2010 - 71

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
4

4
4 4 5 5

12
6

LOP 5 FC 3 6
6 3

10 13

For a smoother opening turn, try a partial lead-out to the front cross (blue path) or a lead-out pivot near the top wing of jump #3 (turquoise path).

This practice setup has opening sequences with the same opening flow as the original course.

Dogs went over #13 after #11 if the handler did not decelerate, turn, and give a strong call. Other dogs backjumped #12 when crowded or confused on the pull-through. Some handlers turned the dog left at #12 to reduce the backjump risk.

the center of a pinwheel (#3, #4, #5 in this case) to control the most efficient path for your partner. Some handlers used various lead-out positions, while others ran with their dogs from #1 and used a running front cross. Figure 2 shows that a late front cross often resulted in an off-course backjump of #5 or a run-out past #3. Figure 3 displays more efficient ways to inform your partner of an opening turn with a partial leadout or a lead-out pivot. Figure 4 shows an eight-jump setup with opening sequences that have the same opening flow as the original course. Both sets as numbered have a close (but not exact) mirror effect for practice purposes in two directions. A rear cross at #6 was the most common maneuver to cue the turn to #7, away from #18. The #11-#13 sequence, as mentioned earlier, proved to be the most taxing sequence on course. After dogs extended themselves to jump the #10 broad jump, they were asked to perform a 180° turn after #11, away from an inviting jump #13. Several dogs maintained

acceleration from #10 and #11 all the way over #13, missing #12 altogether, and heard the moan of the sympathetic crowd. Handlers needed to cue deceleration at #11 and to cue a turn back to the handler, both physically and verbally. Even teams that successfully pulled back to #12 still had to solve the puzzle of how to get to #13 cleanly. Most handlers chose to pull between #11 and #12. In some cases, confused or crowded dogs did not come through the gap, but instead took #12 again, this time in the wrong direction. Although it was a bit tight between the top wing of #12 and the ring gating, a few clever handlers chose to wrap #12 to the left. This choice had two advantages: it maintained momentum for dogs already headed in that direction and greatly minimized the risk of backjumping #12 as seen in Figure 5. The tunnel entry opposite #15 enticed a few dogs that sighted its opening on the approach to the double at #14. Once out of the tunnel, Marco let the dogs sprint home over a straight, three-jump finish.

Cool Puppy Panels
• Reﬂect away the sun’s hot rays • Allow fresh air ﬂow • Reduce heat build-up under your tent, in your vehicle, and in crates or x-pens by up to 14°

Dogs don’t get much cooler than this!

Silver shade mesh at prices that won’t make you sweat.

Visit www.cleanrun.com or call (800) 311-6503 for more information
June 10 | Clean Run 71

http://www.cleanrun.com

Clean Run Magazine - June 2010

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