Training Talk Thread

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Susan Garrett's warm up routine included as best I could tell...

Some dynamic stretching eg running with high knees, kick yer bums, side ways, sideways the other ways, grape vine, backwards, lunge steps, and she has some ham string/glute varations that involve lifting knee high and across the body. Not sure how you do that dynamically - will have to ask.

She also does some doggy massage and stretches, and thinks calming thoughts (meditation?) and she also does course visualisation and review. Not sure where that fits with the other stuff. Greg Derrett (foundation handling) stresses routine set up in the ring which includes picking his dog up and placing it in a stand and then giving it a tug on the scruff (cos he takes the collar off), before telling it to wait.

Ideally, before a hockey game I usually do a slow warm up jog before starting dynamic stretches and finish with lunge steps and a bit of sprinting and zig zagging. My dog is good at zig zagging training. I either try to catch her or I try to get away from her - good zig zag randomness. And then you need to do a bit of arm action with all that. And then some exercises the same as what you'd do in competition - although it's ok to break them down into single steps or chain a couple of things rather than a whole game/course worth of stuff. I think you'd have to bring your own gear for agility training to get the most out of that.

Horse Eventers - do about 40 minutes of warm up - depending on how stiff their horse gets... which involves walking then trotting then cantering, and jumping, and more trotting and cantering and jumping and some standing around chatting...

Interval training is good too - I suppose that's usually how my warm ups go anyway. Ie back to the bag for the spare whistle, and run, and a drink and run and some tiger balm... Interval training is where you run a short version of competition eg 50m sprint, then have a walk back and chat, then sprint again. But you have to be warmed up first.

The trick is not to spend so much time standing around in the cold before you start that you seize up and the dog wanders off to sniff possum poo. Why is it instructors wait until you've set your dog and then tell you all the stuff they forgot to tell you before?

Edited October 30, 2010 by Mrs Rusty Bucket

[kathq]

It was lovely to catch up with Kathq, Seita and Huski tonight and glad to see we all made it home safe and sound. What Seita didn't mention was that all but 1 bank of lights went out 1/3 of the way into the trial which meant that all the rings were very dark. It was a lovely night for trialling and it was just wrong that I was there without a dog.

The one things I learnt tonight is that Qld is full of shitty left turns - so girls put it at the top of your list of things to practice..........

I know what you mean Ptolomy felt all wrong not having a dog last night - almost naked Was terrific to be finally able to put a face to the name. Looking forward to seeing you again in this neck of the woods for the Nationals next year.

The lights were a pain - there was a new set only used for the first time on Friday night at training where they worked fine but when it really mattered at the trial most couldnt cope and went out and the lights in the club house also decided to join in. A visit from the electrician is definitely on the cards for this week.

Apart from that it was a glorious night for trialling for the first time in what feels like months NOT FAIR!!!! Why does my girl have to decide to finally come into season? So we now wont make it to any more trials for this year and wont come back into the ring until late Feb or early March.

[TerraNik]

I think I need to rethink Jedi's warm up.... He needs a warm DOWN before we go in.... Last night we went into the ring and he looked like he was on speed! A new definition of feral! Even the judge called him crazy He was high as a kite! Where did my allergy boy go?!!! I'm not used to this! I reckon he could've done FOUR novice rounds and still been off his chops!

[TerraNik]

Meanwhile, I like to train with a friend or small group (3 of us). I do most of my stuff by myself though but meet with others 1-2 times per week.

I also give Jedi a day off before a trial.

I never thought about fitness for obedience... Our guys do agility and flyball so they have to be fit for that.

[The Spotted Devil]

I noticed the handling and placement SG does in a trial. For a start, that wouldn't go down very well with some of our judges!

Before agility we have a brief tug session then just relax near the ring. When the last dog is running we do some tight obedience heel work and maybe 2 food game if he is distracted. By the last run of the day I keep it very brief as he is usually pretty tired. For obedience, out of crate some brief heel work (rewarded), toilet break then back in crate - usually do this a few times.

That said, I like short warm ups because the number of times you get delayed or rushed into the ring makes it hard. If I overdo a warmup that can be the end of him!

[TerraNik]

I noticed the handling and placement SG does in a trial. For a start, that wouldn't go down very well with some of our judges!

I noticed that, too... I haven't trialled in agility yet, but I didn't think that sorta thing would be allowed. What are the rules about setting up your dog at the start in Australia?

[OSoSwift]

I like to train with 3to4 people or a few more. Club stuff isn't really my thing, but at the moment I don't have a choice, so I do my own thing off to one side, sometimes joining in for the odd stay etc.

Mine are crated at a trial

My routine when at a trial is get set up take them for a walk around/toilet, back in crate. Take them out for another toilet stop around 20 minutes before. Then just before we need to go it do a small walk to loosen up muscles then a couple of positions, some fronts, a few nose touches spins then in.

As a general rule I do not let people take my dog, however there are a couple I would, not necessarily to train all the time or do a big training session with, but just to get the feel of something or to help me out with something. I would not be worried about someone taking them into the show ring, but I am the only person that takes them into the obedience ring. Down here though I don't really have anyone that would even be interested. If I was up in Perth it may be different.

I think fitness is very important. I like my dogs very fit regardless of them doing obedience or not. I think that to do a trial even at the lower levels requires a fair amount of energy/fitness and also mental energy. So they need to be generally fit, but also fit for what they are doing ie heeling. Lewis in particular puts lots of energy into his heeling and if not fit for heeling you can tell. I liked my Whippets ripped and fit. Nothing better than seeing a fit muscular dog moving.

[Ptolomy]

So we seem to agree that obedience dogs do need to be fit to compete.

How do you all keep your dogs fit??

and your thoughts on taking performance dogs for a chiro type checkup every few months even if they don't appear lame are......

[TerraNik]

So we seem to agree that obedience dogs do need to be fit to compete.

How do you all keep your dogs fit??

and your thoughts on taking performance dogs for a chiro type checkup every few months even if they don't appear lame are......

We keep our guys fit by doing regular bike rides, runs and swimming. Also I guess the regular agility/flyball training helps to maintain their fitness.

I totally agree with taking performance dogs to the chiro... You discover all sorts of things about your dog (including broken toes that you never knew about! ) and even though they don't appear lame, I always see improvements after a trip to the chiro. Soaks' most recent visit to the chiro improved her gait significantly even though there was nothing 'wrong' with her gait prior - her back was out. So they go every 3 months regardless.

[Mason_Gibbs]

In the UK competitors often get other people to warm there dogs up - would anybody consider giving this a try before a trial and do you think it would help or hinder?

I think it may help with my dog, he is really laid back and relaxed around me unless I REALLY work to get him going but for strangers he is happy as Larry and excited the moment he sets eyes on them - not sure if he would work for anyone else though, one instructor at our club tried to work with him and play a game with him and he ran back to me. I think it may depend on the person really, but if the person had nice yummy food then I am willing to bet he would work well for a stranger I must actually try this...

[Mason_Gibbs]

So we seem to agree that obedience dogs do need to be fit to compete.

How do you all keep your dogs fit??

and your thoughts on taking performance dogs for a chiro type checkup every few months even if they don't appear lame are......

I take mine to the park daily and let him have a good run around, he also swims a few times a week. I should probably get him to a chiro as he has never been before ( I know I'm a bad mum )...

[huski]

Training in drive itself requires a relatively fit dog, I also walk my dogs as regularly as I can etc and keep them lean.

We have check ups with the chiro vet every six months.

[The Spotted Devil]

I noticed the handling and placement SG does in a trial. For a start, that wouldn't go down very well with some of our judges!

I noticed that, too... I haven't trialled in agility yet, but I didn't think that sorta thing would be allowed. What are the rules about setting up your dog at the start in Australia?

I don't know the exact rule to refer you to but a few Vic judges specifically mention it to novice handlers at the course walk briefing and may well DQ.

From my very brief trialling experience in NSW with competitors from QLD as well, I was amazed at what was permitted. Personally I think it's a good habit to be hands off in the ring - you're not permitted to set your dog up in obedience stays and it's not hard to teach them to 'find heel position'. The other advantage in agility is that I can get a really good line of sight for the first few jumps on a lead out and adjust by minute degrees if necessary - really helps the novice dog.

So we seem to agree that obedience dogs do need to be fit to compete.

How do you all keep your dogs fit??

and your thoughts on taking performance dogs for a chiro type checkup every few months even if they don't appear lame are......

I've mentioned our exercise - can't wait to start cycling with Zig though! He has Bowen every few months when we're competing and I'm learning a bit of t-touch at the moment as well. I tend to think that, because Zig isn't a naturally highly motivated dog, any imbalance or tightness or tiredness seems to be magnified in his performance. I really notice the difference when he's relaxed yet raring to go.

[huski]

From my very brief trialling experience in NSW with competitors from QLD as well, I was amazed at what was permitted. Personally I think it's a good habit to be hands off in the ring - you're not permitted to set your dog up in obedience stays and it's not hard to teach them to 'find heel position'. The other advantage in agility is that I can get a really good line of sight for the first few jumps on a lead out and adjust by minute degrees if necessary - really helps the novice dog.

TSD do you mind clarifying for an agility noob what you mean when you say you can't set your dog up in an obedience stay? Are there rules about how you position your dog when you walk into the agility ring?

[TerraNik]

From my very brief trialling experience in NSW with competitors from QLD as well, I was amazed at what was permitted. Personally I think it's a good habit to be hands off in the ring - you're not permitted to set your dog up in obedience stays and it's not hard to teach them to 'find heel position'. The other advantage in agility is that I can get a really good line of sight for the first few jumps on a lead out and adjust by minute degrees if necessary - really helps the novice dog.

TSD do you mind clarifying for an agility noob what you mean when you say you can't set your dog up in an obedience stay? Are there rules about how you position your dog when you walk into the agility ring?

She means in OB you can't physically set up your dog into position - no pulling on the collar, etc.

In agility, it was my understanding that you had to be hands-off as well. But wasn't sure... I get Jedi to line up at heel for when we start an agility sequence - I agree, it helps me see what's in his line of sight.

[huski]

She means in OB you can't physically set up your dog into position - no pulling on the collar, etc.

In agility, it was my understanding that you had to be hands-off as well. But wasn't sure... I get Jedi to line up at heel for when we start an agility sequence - I agree, it helps me see what's in his line of sight.

Oh thanks for explaining Nik! I have a terrible sinus head ache again this morning so my brain is just not working

BTW where are your vids from the trial last night????

[The Spotted Devil]

Thanks for clarifying TN - that's exactly what I meant.

To be honest, if the rules changed tomorrow I would still train for hands off - looks better, my dog prefers it and I think it switches his focus on my body position too.

huski - in agility you can set your dog up in a sit, drop or stand any distance from the jump. Entirely up to your judgement. You can lead out if your dog is steady or run with them - the latter is also great for dogs that need to build speed and confidence. Once the dog takes that first jump the clock starts.

[huski]

Thanks TSD for also clarifying!

We start agility classes Tuesday week so hopefully I will pick up a bit of the lingo sooner rather than later!

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

i think some of the video on the Garrett/Curren website, shows Susan doing warm up and dog massage just outside the course boundary. Then inside the course boundary she sets the dog in a stand, gives it a quick feel, and sets off. The Agility course doesn't start until the dog crosses the start markers - which usually have automatic timing devices on them.

Greg Derrett talks about playing with his dog (to build or regain drive and focus) during an agility run. I'm not sure how much of that is allowed. I think as long as you're between obstacles and not pushing the dog into doing jumps it might be ok. I'm not sure what the rules are about the dog jumping all over you during a course - I think I'd better find out. Though the rules (jump heights for starters) look different in the UK when Greg made his foundation DVD.

But in Obedience - you're not supposed to touch the dog. It's ok for the dog to touch you, a lot of them lean on the handler's leg but not ok for the handler to pick the dog up and put it in a sit or stand etc. I'm not sure if the European / UK practice of swinging an arm along your left side and connecting with the dog's ear is ok or not in OZ.

Eg this.

[The Spotted Devil]

Mrs RB - you make a good point that highlights the difference between countries. As soon as you enter the ring here you are under the direction of the judge (and stewards) - so you could do all that stuff outside the ring but not inside I think.

Enjoy agility training huski - it's great to do both!