Clean Run - September 2020 - 23

Using Cato Board Platforms in Agility Training
By Frankie Joiris, photos by Casie Brettell

When people think about platform
training, what often comes to mind
is something on the tall side. Perhaps the pedestals that trick dogs
and circus animals balance on while
waiting for their turns to perform,
or the more recent plastic creations
that resemble slightly smaller, slicker
agility tables. While size and height
might look flashy in performance,
from a training perspective, there is
no advantage. It is easier to fade the
platform later on if it is lower to the
ground, and there are many more
exercises that can be trained and
worked on with something the dog
can easily navigate without having
to jump onto it.
Coming from a background in theatrical animal training, I have used
low platforms to train a wide variety of species for decades, they're
one of the most useful and versatile tools around. Although many
things taught on a platform could
be taught on the ground, having a
slight elevation and different texture
underfoot gives the animal a clear
indication of when she's in the right
place and when she is not, making
it easier for her to know right away
when she is right. The Cato Board
works extremely well for all manner
of platform training. The board is low
profile and seemingly un-tippable,
September 20 | Clean Run

with a high traction rubber surface
(or artificial turf if you prefer that
model) and nonskid feet.

Foundation Skills
Foundation training on the Cato can
start as soon as the puppy can step
onto the board. Introduce the basic
positions, front feet on, rear feet on,
all four feet on, left feet on, and right
feet on by luring with a treat directly
in front of the dog's nose, or, even
better, by letting the puppy nibble
on the treat in your hand as you lure
her into position. Early training is an
excellent time to teach careful and
thoughtful, rather than rushed and
casual performance. Attention to
detail now, making sure the dog's
head and spine are aligned, and that
her stance is balanced and comfortable, will pay off in years to come, as
not only will the dog develop good
habits in general, but these foundation exercises will also be useful as
fitness and conditioning exercises
throughout the dog's life.
Once the dog is happily being lured
through a variety of positions on
the Cato Board, specific actions can
be taught on cue. Front foot targeting and pivoting around the board
are useful skills for turning and
proprioception. Rear-foot targeting
by backing onto the board lets you

teach hind end coordination and
balance as well as the beginning
of a stopped contact performance.
Getting onto the board with all four
feet on the board is the first step to
teaching a wide variety of behaviors.

Rear-foot targeting
Asking the dog to sit, stand and lie
down from each of these foundation
positions (two front feet on, two rear
feet on, all four feet on) gives the
dog a wide variety of different physical challenges as well as reinforcing
the concept that each behavior happens exactly in the place where it
was cued.
The classic platform exercise is
"place," teaching the dog to go to
and remain on the platform until
released. Much like crate games,
place games teach the dog that
staying on the platform is fun and
highly rewarding. Because the plat23
Clean Run - September 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - September 2020
