Clean Run - October 2019 - 8

Arm's length activation is the end goal
of most handlers. However, if you cannot ignite your dog's interest with this
method, there is no need to worry-
I have some more activation accelerators that can help.

activation extensions
The purpose of an activation extension is to allow you to activate the toy
away from your body so you can use
more diversity, rhythm, and freedom
of movement than would be possible
if you were holding and activating it at
arm's length. The beauty of an activation
extension is that you remain fully in
control of the toy's movement, but you
can be more creative. Think of yourself
as a fly fisherman casting for salmon in
an icy river.

the handle is shorter, which makes it
more comfortable and easier to use for
the art of activation.
Another activation extension technique
is to attach a light line to your toy. Alternatively, you can make use of a readymade version which consists of a toy
with a light line attached. This gives the
opportunity to experiment with toys
of different shapes and sizes. This type
of activation extension is really useful
as it serves the same purpose as a flirt
pole, but you can fold it away in a jacket
pocket. However, some handlers find
a flirt pole gives more control. When
using a light line, some dogs have a
tendency to engage with the line rather
than the toy. The activation extension
you choose comes down to personal
preference and, again, it is a case of adjusting and adapting your methods and
techniques to suit you and your dog.
To stack the odds in your favor, I suggest that you master your activation
process and develop your dog's TAR
level with the flirt pole. Once your
dog's TAR level is increasing, and he
fires into action when you activate
the toy, you can switch to a light line
extension.

An activation extension allows you
more freedom of movement.

I started using this technique by attaching a toy to a long lunge whip-the
type used for schooling horses. This
served me well for many years, but I
have now swapped it for a flirt pole.
In effect, this is a modified version of a
lunge whip that has been designed and
manufactured specifically as an activation extension. A flirt pole consists of
a lightweight pole with a handle at one
end and a length of elasticated cord
attached to the other, where you attach
the toy. It serves the same purpose as
the lunge whip but is much lighter, and

By this stage, you will have honed your
fly-fly fishing art of activation technique,
so using the light line will come more
naturally.Your dog will have been consistently engaging his toy during your
interactive play sessions and will be far
less likely to engage the light line when
you switch over.
The light line often serves as the bridge
between using an activation extension
and transferring to a standard toy as
you can incrementally decrease the extent of the light line as your dog's TAR
level develops. In time, you will be able
to detach the toy and introduce arm's
length activation. However, this is not
a prerequisite. Many handlers choose
to stick with an activation extension as
this suits their interactive play experience. Remember, it is always a case of
adjusting and adapting to suit you and
your dog.

tips for using an
activation extension
If you are experimenting with an activation extension, you need to consider
how to operate it in order to spark
your dog's interest.
At the beginning of your activation
process, use the full length of the
extension, and activate the toy very
close to the ground. It may seem
more natural to dangle the toy or
activate it in mid-air, but this hinders
the accuracy of what you are doing.
I have also noticed that a dog with
low TAR levels is more likely to be
stimulated when the toy is at ground
level and will give quicker more determined response than when the
toy is activated in mid-air.

Activating the toy is a process
of animating it (i.e., moving it)
so your dog becomes interested
in engaging and gripping it.
Every dog's TAR level is different;
for some minimum effort
is required, while for others,
you will have to work a little harder.
What is important is that you
develop an understanding of your
dog's TAR level, so the toy
is sufficiently animated
that he wants to engage with it.
Now you are ready to engage with
your dog. The controlled use of an activation extension is all in the flick of
the wrist.You will use more than your
wrist when activating the toy, but if you
keep the flick of your wrist in mind, it
produces movement that most dogs
find irresistible.
I have used these methods on many occasions with great success, particularly
when helping dogs that have very low
TAR levels. The technique may take a
little practice to master, but it is all part
of the fun, and you and your dog will
love the journey. D

Craig Ogilvie is a dog trainer, behaviorist, and public speaker who has extensive experience training working dogs, sports dogs, and family pets and solving a wide
variety of canine behavioral problems. His passion for interacting and communicating with dogs led to his discovery of the interactive pay experience which is helping
people all over the world to build better relationships with their dogs using a little bit of interactive gold dust.
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Clean Run | October 19

Clean Run - October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - October 2019