Clean Run Magazine - August 2007 - 26

NADAC Training NADAC Elite Challenges By Amanda Nelson The Elite level is the highest in NADAC and with that level comes increased challenge. As in the Novice and Open levels, you will frequently see pinwheels, serpentines, and obstacle discriminations at the Elite level. You will also see distance tests, but at the Elite level the required distance increases to 12'-15'. Most distance tests are lateral sequences, but you might also encounter a pinwheel or flowing jump loops. Refer to my articles in CR June and July 2007 for more information on handling these frequently seen sequences. Distance skills become even more critical at the Elite level as we will discuss this month. Bonus Boxes Bonus Boxes are another challenge that NADAC offers, which we haven’t discussed yet. They are the ultimate test of distance skills. You do not have to complete the Bonus Box to qualify. Bonus boxes are optional unless you are working toward an award like the Purple NATCH that requires a certain number of bonus-box completions with a much higher degree of speed than that required for a qualifying round (a 100+ run index, with a successful bonus box score; see www. nadac.com for information on the run index). The Bonus Box is a four-sided handling area that can appear on any course: Regular, Chances, Jumpers, Weavers, Tunnelers, or Touch N Go. The handler must stay in the box for a certain sequence of the course, which is chosen by the judge. Generally, the sequence comprises the majority of the course, other than the first and last couple of obstacles. While handling from the Bonus Box there must be no handler redirection of the dog; that is, the dog cannot turn back, come to you, and then be resent out to an obstacle. The Bonus Box obstacles must be done in a smooth, flowing manner. If a handler and dog team complete the Bonus Box with a clean round and under time, they will earn 15 points. Figure 1 shows an example of an Elite Regular course with a Bonus Box. 1 8 7 9 4 3 5 16 6 10 17 Bonus Box 15 2 14 18 11 1 12 13 NADAC Elite Regular r Bonus Box sequence consists of #4 through #17. Handler must be in box before dog exits weaves at #4. Handler can exit box when dog has four paws on teeter at #17. Distance Test is #16 through #18. Training for Elite Courses Teaching distance The most important skill a dog needs in NADAC is accuracy at a distance. In the Chances class distance is the key to qualifying; the distance test in Regular also tests your dog’s distance skills. Distance is also key if you wish to attempt Bonus Boxes. I train all my distance skills using gates. Please refer to “Teaching Distance” in last month’s article for instructions on how I use gates to teach Out and Here. This month I’m going to show you how to use the gates to train distance in sequences. 26 A pinwheel is the first sequence I incorporate into my distance training. Set up the gates as shown in Figure 2. I call them “marker gates” because they act as a visual aid, showing the dog the path I would like him to take. I also like to place a target after jump #3 to help increase speed and drive while teaching distance skills. I give my dog an Out as he is taking off for jump #1. This cue tells the dog that I want him to move to the outside of the gate, which in turn makes the dog move away from me and places him on the correct path to take jump #2. At first I run with my dog through the pinwheel, and then with each repetition I move farther and farther away from the dog. I tell my students that it is like a domino effect. At a very basic level you are just teaching the dog to move to the outside of the gate, but that move will also help the dog see the path Clean Run | August 07

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Clean Run Magazine - August 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - August 2007