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