Teaching a start line wait

I thought it might be useful to go over this topic again, and write something down so that everyone can refer to it. I find the best way to teach reliable waits is by shaping a ‘wait’ using high rewards, then gradually building up duration of the wait, my distance from the dog, and adding distractions, whilst making sure that the dog remains focussed and motivated. This can be done with food or toys, I have demonstrated it in class but am happy to do so again, or answer any questions about it. A good wait is maintained by consistent handling (never allowing the dog to continue on round the course if it does not wait), + building into your dog a fantastic combination of motivation and self control (for example games such as Susan Garrett’s ‘It’s yer choice’; 3-2-1- play with a toy game; crate games), + confidence produced by a set up routine so that the dog does not have to guess or try to anticipate when it will be released, + proofing in a huge range of distracting environments. It is worth while putting lots of time and effort into your waits, they only become more important as your agility career progresses!

Coughing

Just a polite reminder that if any of your dogs are coughing, please DO NOT come to training until your vet has determined that they have not got kennel cough.

Training focus

Last night at training we began to discuss more specific areas that people have come across during the competition season that they have identified as needing more training. This is a great opportunity! Feel free to write down in the comments section what you would like to work on, and I will design and work in exercises accordingly over the coming training period. Please be clear in what you would like to work on, ie 'handling' is a bit general, 'pull-throughs when the handler is behind' is something we can really get to grips with (thanks Glenda!) It would be good to have everything in one place, so that everyone can see what has already been written and add to if necessary. Recent additions include building independence on contacts and proofing contacts

Puppy/pre-agility class

Thanks for all the enquiries, yes there will be a puppy/pre-agility class starting soon!

Agility and arthritis in dogs

http://www.agility.org.au/members/articles/15-agility-and-arthritis-in-dogs.html

New class?

A few people have asked for a young dog class. If there are enough people interested we could have a new pre-agility class for dogs under a year old. This would concentrate on building a good working relationship, creating the right balance of self control and drive, co-ordination and balance, shaping tricks, and foundation skills that will be useful for an agility career (shadow handling, verbal directions, starting to target etc.). In other words the ground level of this diagram! If you are interested come and have a chat with me about it.

An interesting blog post....

This is an interesting blog post on performance readiness, have a look:
 http://cognitive-edge.ca/training/the-light-switch/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20cognitive-edge%2Fpost%20%28Cognitive%20Edge%20Blog-Post%29
I was thinking along similar lines before my holiday, which is why I have come up with some ideas for some fun challenges and games that will be designed to improve and test some of our most important agility skills. By timing or adding a little competitive edge to the exercises, it will add a similar feel to actually competing, and require a little more effort, a little more concentration, exactly what we all need to be competition ready!

Where to start? I have been going on and on about the importance of a good startline wait, suggesting exercises to help, and advising everyone to work on it, because a good start is so helpful/important/necessary to get a good round. So let's start with the beginning! You can use this week to really proof and reward your waits, and we can put them to the test next week :-)

Great article from Bernadette Bay

http://www.obayshelties.com/wickedagilityparttwo.pdf

Warm-ups and injury prevention

Some good stuff to think about!

http://agilitynet.co.uk/training/co-ordinationandbalance_hannahbanks.html

http://www.ultimatecaninefitness.com/fe/43891-longevity

http://www.ultimatecaninefitness.com/fe/42753-muscle-groups

Message from Natasha Wise

Hello All Agility Lovers,

Please could you take a few moments and complete the agility injury survey that can be found on the KC facebook page or via the following website address.

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/agility

It is important your dogs details are included for the good of your sport

Please spread the word to get as many people included as possible.

Look forward to receiving your input.

Kind regards

Natasha Wise

Free webinar from Susan Garrett :)

http://r4.brilliantrecalls.com/fe/42301-managing-vs-inspiring-your-dogs-behaviour?r=y

Colette and Rocky in training!

Showing fantastic speed and control, brilliant! :)

Here is Halle at the weave workshop last Sunday, looking absolutely fantastic! Awesome work, well done Jan! :-)

Training with Matthew Goodliffe

We had a lovely training day taken by Matthew Goodliffe at the weekend, here is a lovely bit of work by Thora with Tiko. Looking good! :)

Love the videos put up by Susan Garrett's students: http://susangarrettdogagility.com/2013/02/recallers-4-0-video-contest-voting-day-1/

Sunday morning workshops in February

There will be three Sunday morning workshops to get ready for the season ahead! Some spaces left, please let me know if you are interested!

10^th Feb:

10am verbal cues and distance handling workshop (dogs must already have some understanding of left and right), for getting your dog working on ahead of you (in the right direction!!)

11am training for handlers, working on improving an efficient running style, fast feet, and all the skills needed to get the handlers round the course more quickly! There will be a series of three of these handler training hours.

12am co-ordination and balance/ basic grids workshop (fitness for dogs). to improve your dogs core fitness, there will be a variety of fun exercises and different bits of equipment such as wobble boards, fitness balls, wobble cushions etc. We can also have some small basic grids to improve your dogs co-ordination and foot placement at speed. After familiarisation this will work like circuit training: each dog will have a few minutes working at each station before moving on round to the next exercise.

17^th Feb 10am weaves (channels, uprights and 2x2 will be available to get some practise in on that last phase moving from training to upright weaves)

11am 2nd session of training for handlers

12am advanced weaves, more testing entries and proofing independent weaves

24^th Feb 10am speed workshop (suitable for any age and any size of dog), working on getting more speed and motivation using games, tunnels and low jumps.

11am 3rd session of training for handlers

12am euro-style handling workshop (suitable for more experienced dogs only), working on turns and different types of handling.

update - Ians dog has been found!

http://www.doglost.co.uk/dog-blog.php?dogId=48075
Lost: Tri - Mostly Black Shetland Sheepdog Male In South East (GU51)

www.doglost.co.uk
TROUBLE's Lost Dog Poster
Trouble has been found safe and well - thank you everyone who has helped :-)

Workshops and training days

Due to an unexpected arrangement for a last minute pheasant shoot in the area, Matt's January training day will now be Feb 2nd. (Now full)

Could I please ask you to email me to confirm your booking on workshops and training days, there has been some confusion because if there are spaces available when people ask me about them, I do always say please email me, but sometimes people have assumed they have the space even though they have not emailed me. Sometimes people ask for a place and then change their mind and forget to tell me. In future I think it's best if I only be accepting bookings by email to save confusion.

New Year!

I am so happy to see people really enjoying their training, and the efforts they are making are really paying off! Great start to the year, keep it up, I think this year will be a good one for you :-)