Clean Run - October 2020 - 34

My personal handling preference is to
stay out in front of my dog; however,
that doesn't mean I never use a rear
cross or handle from behind. I want
my cues timely, no matter my physical
position to my dog. So here are a few
timing basics that I think are helpful
to remember:
Try to stay as connected as possible with your dog. The back of
your head shouldn't be something your dog has to follow.
When looking at your dog, make
direct eye contact; the stronger
the eye contact, the stronger
the cue. So if you need your dog
to pay attention, don't just look
in your dog's general direction,
make strong eye contact.
Train your eye to see your dog's
commitment point. All dogs commit to different obstacles at various distances. Try to learn where
your dog's commitment point is.
Practice early timing. Even if your
dog pulls off an obstacle, it will
give you information that more
foundation training probably is in
order. It is better to be too early
than late.
Remember to cue your dog, not
the audience. If your dog can't

see your cue or the obstacle,
they can't execute. Often we give
cues when the dog is in the tunnel or when they are unable to
see us and then wonder why our
handling fails. The dog has to see
what you are asking them to do.
Don't do a handling move just to
do the move.
Get your crosses finished as the
dog commits to the obstacle. For
example, if I am executing a front
cross before a jump, having the
front cross finished before my dog
takes off for the jump is the goal.
This will allow my dog to change
lead, weight shift, and know the
direction to the next obstacle
before they take the jump. In my

opinion, training your eye and
your body to accomplish this exercise is probably one of the most
important agility skills.
Lastly, as I walk a course, I try to
mark my physical positions relative
to where I think my dog needs to be
to see my cues early enough. This
becomes more and more important
as I get to the end of the course,
where you tend to lose timing. Remember, dropped bars, wide turns,
and off-courses are never the dog's
fault. These occur due to poor timing. We cannot be perfect handlers,
but striving for perfect timing will
ultimately result in great runs and
happy dogs. D

Chris is a national and international level agility competitor and has represented the United States 8 times overseas at World Championship events. Chris is a silver and
bronze world medalist with Border Collies Bratska and Jungle. A natural athlete and (retired) semi-professional hockey player, Chris has been training and competing
in agility since 2007. Having coached in the junior hockey leagues for more than 8 years, Chris prides himself in developing determination and skill in the junior athlete.
Not unlike new agility teams and young dogs, Chris believes building confidence in his students is the key to having great success and trust in their teamwork. Chris
love of agility, dogs, and teaching shows in his attention to each student and his ability to bring out his student's best performances. With his easy-going nature, Chris
teaches his students with patience and understanding and stresses the importance of great mechanics. Chris credits his wife, Kris Seiter, for his vast accomplishments
in the sport as his trainer, coach, mentor, and agility partner for the last 12 years. Chris is a popular instructor and seminar presenter and gives seminars throughout
the United States and Canada. He is a UKI judge and frequently trains with the best agility trainers/handlers in the world. Chris co-owns Sun Coast Agility with his wife
and is a partner in Bratty Paws Dog Plex, a 13,000-sf indoor training center in Punta Gorda, Florida.

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34

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Clean Run | October 20

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Clean Run - October 2020

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