Fundamental Agility Handling Skills

[ness]

Following on from Whitka's post re teaching a rear cross I wondered if people would be interested in compiling a list of fundamental agility handling skills which are useful to have in your toolkit. We could then maybe expand on how to teach certain skills or at least refer people to dvds or presenters who might explain how that particular skill was taught.

Some of the ones I can think of off the top of my head include:

• Front Cross
  
• Rear Cross
  
• 270's
  
• Serpentines
  
• Threadles
  
• Pin-wheels
  

Well thats my start on a list - anybody want to add anything to those.

Edited February 1, 2010 by ness

[poodlefan]

No 1 skill - a solid lead out.

I would also add distance handling including an "out".

Edited February 1, 2010 by poodlefan

[Vickie]

I don't tend to think in terms of Serps, PW, PT, 270's in terms of handling skills but rather what the dog is to do when I offer a position...how it applies to different layouts is dependent on timing.

As an example, if I am running parallel to my dog, I expect it to be parallel.

If my hand is close by my side, so should my dog be.

If I raise my hand up, I expect my dog to move out (and back in when I bring my hand in)

If I turn towards my dog, my dog should turn in to me.

etc.

Using these rules/positions, I can them apply them to each of the jump setups you have listed.

Hope that makes sense, it's hard to explain.

[whitka]

Good thread Ness :D

[ness]

It sort of does Vickie - are you able to give some examples of what sort of preliminary work you might do to accomplish this. I guess I am not sure the just running short sequences with no real purpose is the best way for the dog to learn what is required and that is what is offered at club.

I am trying to fill in a gap between the stage where the dog does the obstacles proficiently and you can get the dog out running a course. Trying to break it down so I don't end up with confusion from either party.