Clean Run Magazine - October 2007 - 41

relative to your dog,” says Rohaus. “One time, for example, you might send your dog ahead as you slow down before the bottom, the next session you might want to run past the bottom, and the session after that you might choose to work on lateral distance to proof the dog’s contacts.” Speed might be characteristic of a winning run, but without complete knowledge of the task, speed is nothing. “I like to take the momentum out,” says Rohaus. “When I am teaching a skill, I want to make sure that I can give the cues and the dog understands. For example, I don’t teach a front cross with four jumps and the dog at top speed. We practice it slowly before adding speed.” Use Your Imagination Really don’t think you have time to train? Be creative. Remember that all training doesn’t have to be done on the agility field or with regulation equipment. Look for those wasted moments throughout the day that rob you of precious time, and make the most of them. A great example is the twominute commercial breaks during your favorite can’t-miss television show. This could be a great time for you to learn a move without the dog. “I always make sure that I learn the movement before I teach it to the dog,” says Rohaus. “I always claim that Seinfeld is an integral part of my training.” Practice in front of the television before you take it to the field. really green dog, practice turning the dog into you and away from you, building the cues for the front and rear cross. You can combine the two by holding a treat in each hand and having the dog follow at your side as you move around the dining room table, behind the family room sofa, and so on. Every time you go down the steps or off a curb in a parking lot or street, you can reinforce a two-on/two-off position. If you’ve taught your dog to wait at the door for permission before he is allowed to go out, you can use that time to improve your start-line stay and to reinforce your release. Waiting for the water to boil while preparing your dinner? Grab a few kibbles and send your dog on a Get Out around the kitchen chair. Work on directional cues by asking him to come through your legs and go left or right, tossing the kibble in the correct direction. And when it comes to serving his dinner, use that much coveted bowl of yummies to reinforce your dog’s focus. Ask him to look at you and wait until you give him permission to eat. You can do this exercise with the entire bowl or by feeding one tidbit at a time. When you have a willing partner or friend, practice your restrained recall. This is a great exercise for increasing drive and patterning your dog to come to your side. Use your release word instead of the command Come and you strengthen that as well. If you don’t have a partner, play the “Ready, Set, Go” game, again to build drive, to teach the dog to wait, and to reinforce your release. Tug with your dog. So many of us tug before we go into the ring at a competition or before our turn in class, but not so often during training. Spend moments here and there tugging or, if your dog isn’t an enthusiastic tugger, use the time to build his interest in the game. Reinforce the Fundamentals Never underestimate the importance of fundamentals. There are countless ways that you can work fundamentals into everyday activities. Randomly rewarding your dog for coming to your side is one example. “I am not very interested in having my dog come in front of me. I want him at my side,” says Rohaus. For a N October 07 o time to train? Get organized, make a plan, and put those five minutes here and there to work for you throughout the day. As the minutes add up you will, no doubt, see you and your dog benefit greatly from your frequent training sessions. D Sally Silverman is a freelance writer whose life has gone to the dogs. An avid equestrian who writes regularly for horse-related publications, she began agility eight years ago and is finally starting to get it! She and her husband share their hearts and home with four Australian Shepherds, including two rescue dogs. She trains and competes in both agility and canine freestyle, and enjoys playing Frisbee with the dogs as well. She is an active member of Y2K9s Dog Sports Club outside of Philadelphia. | Clean Run 41

Clean Run Magazine - October 2007

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