
Clear rounds, one of the hardest things to achieve in agility. Just take a look at the results any class for a show and the number of clear rounds will be significantly less than the number of E's and faulted rounds. Although some of my best rounds have been an Elimination, faulted or eliminated rounds do not count for anything even if you still end up winning that class (yes clear rounds are that difficult that I have won classes with faults). The margins in agility are so tight that one simple mistake can cause an elimination, despite everything else being perfect.
So what can you do to help get that clear round?
MAINTAIN CONNECTION WITH YOUR DOG
So often we end up making an error because we have just lost connection briefly with our dogs. I always tell people to imagine there is a line between your dog's eye and your eye. This connection should never be broken. Taking our eyes off our dogs means we cannot see when they are committed to an obstacle, have noticed we have asked them to change direction and it causes doubt in our dog's mind as to what we want them to do. When we loose connection that usually causes our dogs to cross behind us, or look a
t us instead of the equipment, meaning they are often too close to the obstacle to take it if they are looking at us, so they have to go around it.
2. GIVE CLEAR HANDLING CUES
Handling is the main way we tell our dogs where to go. Yes we use verbal cues, but our physical cues will always over ride our verbal cues, for example if I shout left to my dog and my body is cueing a right turn, they will turn right ( and probably think that silly woman still doesn't know her left from her right).
Our dogs need so much more information than we think. A simple jump they need to know if they have to jump in extension and run forward, or collect and turn tightly around the wing, or go around the wing and then jump the pole and then they need to know where they are going after.
We need to tell them which leg we want them on, this then cues them as to which direction we are asking them to go.
Make sure your dog also understands the handling cues you are using. Don't expect your dog to execute the perfect German turn for example if you haven't taught them what it is and what your handling cue will be for that turn.
3. HANDLE YOUR DOG'S LINE NOT THE OBSTACLE
Our dogs should have a clear understanding of each obstacle in the course and should be able to perform them. When you walk a course, you must always look at your dog's line (the route your dog must take), and not focus solely on where you need to be. We must look at the angles they will need to perform an obstacle safely, especially things such as dog walks. Often a course is designed for a safe route for your dog, and you must make sure you take this. Just asking your dog to take a sharp turn on a left wing instead of a right wing for example could mean their entry onto a dog walk is a very sharp and unsafe angle, whereas the right wing may make the entry onto the dog walk a straight line.
By handling your dogs line it gives the dog much more information in advance where they are going after they have performed the obstacle, meaning they have more time to adjust their stride and line to complete the next obstacle correctly and cleanly.
4. MAKE SURE YOUR DOG IS ON THE CORRECT LEADING LEG
One of the most common reasons a dog knocks a pole in agility is because they are on the wrong leading leg. When a dog is in canter or gallop one of their front legs will hit the floor further forward than the other leg. This is called the lead leg and is essential for a dog to maintain their balance. A dog will have more balance when turning on the side of their leading leg. The leading leg is generally the leg closest to the handler.
So make sure you walk a course with a few leg changes as possible for your dog but also ensure your dog will be on the correct lead leg before they take the obstacle. Late cues to change your dogs leading leg i.e. a late front cross, especially while your dog is taking a jump, will cause your dog to knock a pole while they try to change leg in mid air. Also in the weaves, giving your dog a late or early cue to change legs will confuse them and cause them to get out of step in the weaves and miss a pole or pop out early.
5. MAKE SURE YOUR DOG HAS THE SKILLS BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO RUN COURSES
Unless your dog can complete a piece of equipment confidently, consistently and cleanly and truly understands what they need to do on each piece of equipment then you cannot begin to sequence it and definitely cannot expect your dog to do it in the ring at a show. Foundation is always the key and is something that cannot be rushed. Make sure you proof the obstacle with distractions and you being in different places before, during and after your dog has taken the obstacle. If your dog pings the contacts in training, then they will do so in the ring.
So make sure when you train you are consistently covering all of the above and your clear rounds will increase. If you need any help or guidance to achieve more consistency in your dog's training then contact me on email tracypeach99@hotmail.com or phone 07914775166
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