Clean Run Magazine - August 2009 - 61

dog ahead finishes the poles, the helper puts the wires on before the dog with the entry problem gets to the poles. The helper removes the wires immediately after that dog finishes the poles. This is a beautiful solution but the helper and handler have to be on their toes to prevent class time being wasted. — Another helper-required solution is for the helper to quickly remove poles #4, #5, #6, and #7. Many dogs can “hit” the entry when just three poles are used. The dog gets a reward after pole #3 and goes on to the next obstacle (skipping poles #8 through #12). The helper puts the poles back before the next dog runs. Long-term Fix — Handlers are given a list of places to purchase or rent weave poles as well as a list of good articles and videos about training poles and/or a recommendation for private lessons. — Although I hate to do it, it might be necessary for handlers to get in front and block the dog a bit. Be sure that handlers know this Band-Aid has the drawback of possibly making the dog dependent on it (sometimes an okay price for some teams). Teeter Fixes depend on how reluctant the dog is to engage the obstacle. You can really make it worse by trying to force or even repeatedly trying to persuade the dog onto it. In many cases the teeter needs to be skipped in class and have the training go back to ground zero. For not-so-bad cases try asking the dogs to do only one or two teeters per class and reward them richly. For indoor facilities where the board bang can be loud and irritating, try softening the landing with foam blocks or towels. Catching the board and lowering it for the dog can help some dogs, but it can backfire as well. Don’t lower it too slowly; influence the rate of fall as little as possible. Popping Out Quick Fixes for Class — Often the handler has caused this error to happen by moving abruptly to the side or changing speed or position while the dog is weaving. Sometimes handlers are playing with food in their hand or reaching into their pocket. This is easy to spot and can be disguised as a handling problem but in the end it is a training problem. Just let those handlers know that fact and tell them how to handle their way out of it in class. — Putting pressure on the dog to stay in by converging on the poles can help many dogs whose training is not finished. Rotating the outside shoulder into the dog/poles a bit also puts pressure on the dog to stay in. — If all else fails, the hand goes into the collar and the handler backchains the last three or four poles, and then goes on. Long-term Fix — Handlers are given a list of places to purchase or rent weave poles as well as a list of good articles and videos about training poles and/or a recommendation for private lessons. Dogwalk Quick Fixes for Class — If the trouble is that the dog is afraid of heights, having a spotter (a person on the other side of the dogwalk moving with the dog) can help some dogs feel more secure; a leash often does the same thing. Not my favorite method but the Hansel-and-Gretel routine can work wonders (handler’s helper places small treats each 12" -18" in front of the dog all the way across). — If the behavior at the bottom of the contact is falling apart because of the dog’s forward momentum, just decrease the momentum and start the dog closer to the obstacle. If the dog is leaving the position before the release (two-on/two-off or fouron-the-floor), backchain it and go on. Don’t spend class time reattempting the entire obstacle. — For students who are doing no training outside of class, instruct them not to attempt the obstacle. Instead, each time they approach the obstacle have them go to the other end of the dogwalk and do the last step of the behavior they don’t have yet (backchaining). 61 When a contact obstacle is the problem, the first step is easy. Have the student tell you the dog’s exact job description for all three contacts. So many people experiment with different contact training methods, often there is no consistent criteria for performance. When this is the case, at least you will be able to tell them why they are having trouble. Students must have a job description for each piece of contact equipment and they may not have the same verbal cue for different behavior requirements. Once that is understood the student will need a long-term homework plan and a short-term class quick fix. Contacts A-Frame: Running Contacts Quick Fixes for Class — Experimenting with placing the toy or bait bag in just the right place to keep the dog’s focus low will be enough for some dogs. You don’t have to do it all in one turn. Tell the handlers where to place the toy on their next turn (even if it is next week). — Let students use any aids they might be using in training, like stride regulators or hoops. But be clear that they cannot use class time to “dress the A-frame.” The helper (not instructor) needs to take the aids on and off for them while another dog is working. — If the dog is stopping for two-on/two-off or a four-on-the-floor performance, it may be necessary to use the target in class. August 09 | Clean Run
Clean Run Magazine - August 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - August 2009
