Improving Obstacle Focus

[Sheilaheel02]

Hi All,

I'm interested in hearing suggestions on exercises you have successfully employed to specifically improve a dogs obstacle focus in agility, as opposed to predominantly handler focus.

Cheers

S

[Vickie]

firstly I'd say I mostly want focus on line, rather than obstacle...tips for both would be:

1. Do not ever release dog from startline till dog is looking at Forward/at obstacle

2. Handler to focus ahead & keep moving, rather than look at dog

3. One jump type exercises where dog is rewarded for offering jump

4. U shape exercise with tunnel, start with send to curved tunnel, then 1 jump, tunnel, 1 jump, then 2 jumps, tunnel etc

5. Don't know what to call it but it's in Linda mecklenbergs new book. I have video of it somewhere, will try to find it

6. Solid Directional commands go on, get out, turn etc

7. Set the dog up on a leadout so they have a clear path to you, reward is given if they take the jump, reward is not given if they don't

8. Save your voice & arms for when you need them

9. Do not tolerate or engage in any jumping up or biting

Edited February 28, 2011 by Vickie

[Vickie]

basically you send into tunnel and then take off up the line. jumps start in a straight line. With each go you offset the jumps slightly. 1st jump moves a touch to the left, 2nd jump moves a touch to the right.

The next time they move a little more.

Dog learns to look for jump as it is done gradually. They end up zig zagging.

Edited February 28, 2011 by Vickie

[Sheilaheel02]

Thanks Vickie,

I can't see Youtube on this computer but I should be able to borrow a computer to look. I love Linda!

S

[Vickie]

Her new book is awesome! One of the best handling books I've seen

eta, I keep adding points . I think I've been to too many seminars

Edited February 28, 2011 by Vickie

[Sheilaheel02]

Linda makes sense to me.

Go for it, you don't need to limit to 5. Reminders never hurt. I've just returned from a work event where we did two days of refocussing on our goals and why we sometimes stop doing stuff that we know works.

Some of the points listed the dog already does reasonably well, such as lead outs and sending to tunnels. Other points could use some more work. Handler could use a lot more work....and possibly clomicalm

S

Edited March 1, 2011 by Sheilaheel02

[Sheilaheel02]

Another question, does anyone else here train on a sand based arena at home?

S

[skip]

A recent CleanRun mag had a set of exercises just for working the dog in both and also swapping from one to another. Interesting but have'nt had a chance to try it yet.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

What I do

1. only release dog to eat dinner when she is looking at her dinner. Trying to get her to look at dinner for a little bit longer instead of looking back and checking me to see if she's doing the right thing...

2. try the stand-wait-go with toy chucked next to me, instead of transfered from hidden hand to leading/pointing hand ie on me. We're not very good at this.

3. stand-wait-go with me next to a jump - only say go when she looks at jump, toss toy beyond jump and release when she looks at that - a bit hard when she's off with the fairies - but I sometimes release her whenever she's not looking at me, even if she's not looking at the jump or toy. Movement eg flying toy to where her line is - tends to get her attention.

4. chuck treats and release when she looks at the treat.

5. "Look" game, and point (with leading hand) at the treat over there (or tug if she's interested enough). "Look" game is starting to get her a bit excited. It's a hunt with fun things like food, mice, cats, possums, friends at the end of it.... Encourages her to look where I'm pointing.

[Kavik]

There are lots of great exercises on Susan Garrett's Success With One jump DVD