Clean Run - August 2013 - 19

should be our mantra in setting new
goals. It is all too easy to go out
onto the training field and practice
things we are already proficient at,
after all it is self-reinforcing to do
things well. Our real objective in
training should be to turn our weaknesses into strengths and practice
the elements of the sport we are
least comfortable with.
The best first step in defining our
goals is to write down an honest
and comprehensive list of our weaknesses. Objective input from a third
party (friend or trainer) can help us
solidify the list. We can then frame
our weaknesses positively and in
the present in the form of goals,
“Fido has a great seesaw” rather
than “Retrain Fido’s poor seesaw.”
We want to create the right image to
strive toward.
We should endeavor to make our
goals challenging, otherwise we
may be setting our sights too low. If
we are motivated to set goals then
we should be ambitious and not
settle for mediocrity! Bear in mind
that for goals to be truly effective
they should meet the five SMART
criteria. They should be

Specific

Break goals down and be specific
about what needs improving. We
should not set broad or vague goals,
such as improving our Q rate or improving our Jumpers time. Instead
we should think of the specific aspects of our performance that need
improving. Specific goals should
translate well to a training plan. We
should ask ourselves: “How can I
train that?”
„Example 1: “Fido has fast,
independent weave poles,” would
be a great goal if Fido lacks good
technique and an understanding
of his weave pole performance,
especially if we constantly feel the
need to micromanage Fido in the
weave poles or if Fido frequently
incurs weave faults. It is important
we have a clear idea of what we
mean by “fast” and “independent.”
However, in diagnosing Fido’s
weave pole problem, we should try
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to be specific about which aspects
of the weave pole performance we
need to focus on: is it the speed or
the entries or staying in the poles all
the way to the end?
„Example 2: Handler Joe has
problems remembering agility
courses and never feels confident
when he steps to the line in
competition. To help himself with
this weakness, Joe sets himself
the goal: “Joe has great course
visualization skills.”

Performance goals
empower our training,
making it more
efficient and help us
focus our energy on
the aspects of the sport
that we can control.
The bottom line is that
we are better to focus
on these goals and let
the results take care
of themselves.
Measurable

Goals need to be measurable, otherwise it is hard to determine if we
are getting closer to them. We can
keep track of quantitative measures,
such as accuracy (the percentage of
performances that meet our criteria)
or speed (the time taken for each
performance). We can use a training
log or journal to keep track of daily
physical workouts, stretching routines, or mental games or to monitor
more subjective matters, such as
how confident we are feeling before
each run. We should ask ourselves,
“How will I measure progress towards my goal?”
„Example 1: We can keep track of
Fido’s weave pole performances
both in our training/proofing
sessions and in competition. We will
log all weave pole performances

and monitor missed weave pole
entries and early exits so that we
have an objective view of whether
Fido’s weave poles are improving.
We will also time Fido’s weave pole
performances and keep track of his
speed as our retraining progresses.
Good bookkeeping will show us
if his consistency and speed are
improving and will help us make
adjustments to the training plan.
„Example 2: Joe decides to
download one course map
from the Internet each day and
practice memorizing the course
and visualizing his handling of
the course. He will give himself
8 minutes per course and keep
track of how he does. When he
competes again Joe will practice his
new visualization skills at the trial
and keep track of how confident he
is when he steps to the line, giving
himself a simple 1 to 10 rating.

Attainable

Our goals need to be feasible. We
need to think, “Yes, I can train that.”
This doesn’t mean we have all the
knowledge to execute the goal at
the outset, but we should at least
have a trainer, a book, or a DVD
in mind that can help us define our
training plan. If we are unsure if
something is attainable, then we
should consult an agility trainer.
„Example 1: With the goal of “Fido
has fast, independent weave poles,”
we are confident that there are
several good DVDs and books that
can help us define a training plan for
this goal. Fido is athletic and we are
sure he can weave better than he
does right now. Most of his current
problems stem from to poor training
when he was first introduced to the
weave poles. Our first step in this
goal may be to do some research
and consult with a trainer to decide
exactly how to proceed.
„Example 2: Joe is confident he can
do a better job of remembering
courses. His only uncertainty is
whether pure visualization skills
are enough for him to solve this
problem or if some other techniques
are also needed. He started reading
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Clean Run - August 2013

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