Clean Run Magazine - November 2009 - 45

position causes a dog to stop with four feet on the board. I have found a lack of comprehension of the two-on/two-off cue causes the dog to stop short of the two-on/two-off position. Criteria • For the dogs without a nose touch, the criteria are to reach off the board in a pounce-like manner with the front feet and to maintain weight in the rear with the two rear feet on the board and both front feet between the two fences. The reward placement should encourage the dog’s head and spine to be straight, and the level of the dog’s head should be at the appropriate height to maintain the weight shift. The level of the head should maintain the shift but not so far back that the dog sits on the board • For the dogs with a nose touch, the criteria are to reach off the board in a pounce-like manner with the front feet; to maintain weight in the rear with both rear feet on the board; and the nose touch is between the front feet, which should be straight off the end of the board. The reward placement should maintain the weight shift and should not be placed so that the dog must curl his head to eat the reward. Jumping onto the Side of the Travel Board from the Ground Stand with the dog at your side next to the plank (the dog can be standing or sitting). Reward if the dog jumps quickly onto the board and then moves into the two-on/ two-off position. Both front feet should touch the board close to the end; the back feet should land on the board before the dog reaches forward off the board and either touches his target with his nose or places both front feet between the fences. Troubleshooting • If the dog stops with one front foot on the board and one on the ground, do not reward him. Instead take the dog from the board and restart the exercise. • If the dog reaches for the ground with the front feet without touching the board first and ends with his back feet on the board, do not reward. The dog must hit the board with his front feet first. If he does not, take the dog off the board and reposition yourself so the dog has to hit the board with his front feet first. Sometimes I place my leg to keep the dog from cutting the corner. You can use a jump standard at the side of the board to accomplish the same thing. Rewards and Proofing • Once the dog is correctly in the two-on/ two-off position, reward either from your hand (adjusting the dog’s head position and encouraging more weight shift if necessary) or by throwing food on the ground. For nose-touch dogs, reward additional nose touches if offered. • Move around the dog while he maintains the two-on/two-off position. If the dog moves his front feet to reach for a piece of food or leaves the board, release and © GREAT DANE PHOTOGRAPHY Lovin’ the tunnel since 1997 Heavy-Duty Straps Fully Adjustable Durable Aqualon Fabric User-Friendly Handles Display Your Hard-Earned Ribbons! Also Available, Dog Leash Holders www.truechampiondisplays.com 805-612-1169 The Original ™ www.tunnelbags.com 507-878-3155 November 09 | Clean Run 45

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Clean Run Magazine - November 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - November 2009