These are my final Dearlove Agility class courses of the season. I hope you've enjoyed running them as much as I have. I greatly enjoyed helping fellow handlers work through the challenges and I've been thrilled by the Intermediate handlers who have shown marvelous improvement all season long.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) for you I just came back from a Dana Pike hosted five day agility seminar where we were running sequences from some of the FCI World Championship Courses from Switzerland. This week's sequences are based on some exercises Rachel Sanders developed using one of those courses. One of the skills Rachel presented was a method of handling Threadles [SingleSidedThreadleHandling, MEBThreadleHandling, ThreadleHandling, Threadle], based on comments from Linda Mecklenburg, that is almost foolproof (see this article).

So get ready to Threadle and Serpentine [Serpentine, SerpentineHandling] with opportunities for distance handling.

There are two Intermediate team sequences. The first opens with a three jump Threadle into the tunnel. Out of the tunnel the dogs take a large four jump Pin Wheel around the tunnel through 360 degrees to the table. Then it is a Serpentine to finish the course.

The second Intermediate sequence opens with a three jump Serpentine with a sharp turn into the tunnel. Coming out of the tunnel the dog's take a three jump Pin Wheel around the tunnel in the opposite direction to the table. Then it is back into the tunnel and over a jump to build up some speed into the final Serpentine.

The first Advanced team sequence opens with a three jump Threadle ending with a tight Jump Wrap to avoid the tunnel on the way to the table. From the table it is over a jump with a tight turn into the tunnel. Out of the tunnel the dog's Wrap a jump on the way into a three jump Pin Wheel around the tunnel whose last jump is the start of a three jump Serpentine.

The second Advanced sequence starts with the now familiar three jump Threadle with a turn to the far side of the tunnel. Out of the tunnel it is the four jump Pin Wheel again this time in the opposite direction. At the end of the Pin Wheel the dog's are taken through a 180 and onto the table. From the table the course ends with a Serpentine.

Course Setup With Obstacle Coordinates

Intermediate Class

The usual drill: have the handlers walk the course and run it once without any specified handling. Then discuss the following handling options for the left hand sequence:

• Assume there is a start line at the bottom of the course. Does a Lead Out give you any advantage? If so where would you be? Where would you set up your dog?
• Which side of your dog will you be on taking jump 1? Which side of jump 1 will you be on?
• How deep "in the pocket" of the tunnel do you need to go? Want to go? Do you need to go past the entrance of the tunnel at all?
• Do you have to take your dog around the tunnel to all four jumps of the Pin Wheel? Can you handle it all from the center of the tunnel? How about from near the #4 entrance of the tunnel?
• Where do you want/need to be to set your dog up for the Serpentine from the table?

Advanced Class

Walk it, run it, discuss it, and run it again! The left hand sequence is discussed below:

• Assume the start line is at the bottom of the course, does a Lead Out give you any advantage? If so where would you like to be? I'm thinking between 1 and 2 on the right of the jumps with the dog far to the right.
• Can you run 1-2-3 all from one side using one sided Threadle handling? Should you?
• Which way will you wrap your dog around jump 3? I'm thinking toward the tunnel to avoid trying to take the dog 360 degrees around jump 3.
• From the table it is probably dog on left over jump 5 and into the tunnel.
• Where will you be when your dog comes out of the tunnel? Which side of jump 7?
• Which direction will you wrap your dog around jump 7?
• Do you need to run with your dog around the 8-9-10 Pin Wheel?
• Can you stay in the pocket and pick your dog up on the take off or landing side of jump 10?
• Which side of the 10-11-12 Serpentine do you want to be on? Does the orientation of jump 12 matter? Can you stay ahead of your dog and do single side Serpentine handling of this closing?

Please add your comments and handling approach(es) for these courses below!

This week's sequences have a little of everything in them: Jump Wraps, multiple Serpentines [Serpentine, SerpentineHandling], two jump Threadles [SingleSidedThreadleHandling, MEBThreadleHandling, ThreadleHandling, Threadle] and three jump Pin Wheels. I started with the three jump and tunnel configuration that I was using for Serpentine and Threadle work with Meeker and spun it out into a class course. I'll post some of the drills for the smaller setup soon.

There are two Intermediate team sequences. The first opens with a three jump Pin Wheel into a Serpentine to the tunnel. From the tunnel it is a "distorted" Serpentine to the table. From the table follows a final Pin Wheel.

The second Intermediate sequence opens with a four jump Serpentine ending with a Jump Wrap into the tunnel (that should be fun to run). From the tunnel it is a Jump Wrap into another Serpentine to the table. Then a full circle through a three jump Pin Wheel to finish.

The first Advanced team sequence opens with the same four jump Serpentine wrapping into the tunnel. Then the dogs take a 180 back into the tunnel. Coming out of the tunnel it is another Serpentine with run to a 180 and onto the table for a rest. Then it is a jump into a two jump Threadle to finish.

The second Advanced sequence is almost a reverse of the first. It opens with a two jump Threadle with Jump Wrap to a jump and the table. From the table, it is a 180 and a run to start a Serpentine to the tunnel. Then another 180 and back into the tunnel. From the tunnel it is a distorted Serpentine to the finish.

Course Setup With Obstacle Coordinates

Intermediate Class

The usual drill: have the handlers walk the course and run it once without any specified handling. Then discuss the following handling options for the left hand sequence:

• Assume there is a start line at the bottom of the course. Does a Lead Out give you any advantage? If so where would you be? Where would you set up your dog? Which side of your dog will you be on taking jump 1? Which side of jump 1 will you be on?
• The Pin Wheel can be handled from the center with a Rear Cross [RearCross, LearningRearCross] on the landing of jump 3 or by Pushing your dog out and staying along the line from jump 1 to jump 3 and Front Crossing [FrontCross, LearningFrontCross] over jump 3. Are there other options? What are the pros and cons?
• How will you handle the Serpentine from 4-5-6? What side of the jumps do you want to be on? Does it depend on which way you wrap the dog from jump 6 into the tunnel? I wonder if single sided handling of the Serpentine is really the best approach in this case.
• What side do you want to pick up you dog on coming out of the tunnel? Can you be on the landing side of jump 8 when the dog exits the tunnel?
• I'm thinking handle 8-9-10-11 on the handler's right would be my approach; what is best for you?
• Will you just stay in the pocket for the final Pin Wheel? What if you have a slow dog? Maybe Front Cross from 13 to 14?

Advanced Class

Walk it, run it, discuss it, and run it again! The left hand sequence is discussed below:

• Assume the start line is at the bottom of the course, does a Lead Out give you any advantage? If so where would you like to be? I'm thinking between 1 and 2 on the right of the jumps.
• Can you run 1-2-3-4 all from one side using one sided Serpentine handling? Should you? Just like the Intermediate course, does it matter which way you wrap your dog around jump 4?
• Stay in the pocket for 6-7-8? How will you help your dog turn tight to you coming out of the tunnel? Think about where you need to be for the next sequence when planning your handling for this simple part of the course.
• Which side of jumps 9-10-11 will you be on? Can you get in position while your dog is in the tunnel?
• Dog on your left or right on the way to jump 12? In other words Post Turn [PostTurn, LearningPostTurn] and Rear Cross or Front Cross and Post Turn from 11-12?
• Will you just stay in the pocket for the final Pin Wheel? What if you have a slow dog? Maybe Front Cross from 16 to 17?

Please add your comments and handling approach(es) for these courses below!

This week's sequences focus on choosing crosses and Front Cross [FrontCross, LearningFrontCross] or Post Turn [PostTurn, LearningPostTurn] Jump Wraps and three jump Pin Wheel handling. The Intermediate sequences work Pin Wheels in both directions with a couple jump wraps. The Advanced sequences contain multiple Jump Wraps including Wraps into Serpentines [Serpentine, SerpentineHandling].

There are two Intermediate team sequences. The first opens with a jump-tunnel-jump sequence into a three jump Pin Wheel whose third jump is the first jump of another three jump Pin Wheel in the opposite direction. Then on to the table. From the table it is a pair of Jump Wraps into a final Pin Wheel.

The second Intermediate sequence opens with a jump to a Jump Wrap to the tunnel. The tunnel acts as the first jump of a Serpentine whose third jump is the start of a Pin Wheel to the table. The same pair of Jump Wraps as in the other intermediate sequence now leads into the reverse jump-jump-tunnel Serpentine. Out of the tunnel is another Jump Wrap back into the tunnel.

Honestly, the opening of the first Advanced team sequence might be awkward due to the location of the second jump. Handlers will need to decide how they will handle the subsequent pair of Jump Wraps before choosing which side of the second jump to take. The direction to wrap the dog on the second wrap will effect the approach into the jump-jump-tunnel Serpentine. Coming out of the tunnel is a big 180 with a 90 degree turn to the jump and table. A big four jump Pin Wheel with a Jump Wrap on the final jump sets up the dog for the last two jumps.

The second Advanced sequence opens the same was as the first. It detours to the table at the fourth obstacle. The double Jump Wrap appears again in the opposite direction into a 180. After the 180 is a frankly ugly 90 degree tunnel entrance. The tunnel exit starts a Serpentine again up the middle of the course. Another pair of Jump Wraps in the opposite direction follow. This time the choice of wrap direction on the second jump should set the dog up for the jump and into the tunnel.

The two Advanced sequences should be quite challenging; I'm looking forward to seeing how the handler's tackle it.

Course Setup With Obstacle Coordinates

Intermediate Class

The usual drill: have the handlers walk the course and run it once without any specified handling. Then discuss the following handling options for the left hand sequence:

• Assume there is a start line at the bottom of the course. Does a Lead Out give you any advantage? If so where would you be? Where would you set up your dog? Which side of your dog will you be on taking jump 1?
• What side of jump 3 do you want to be on when your dog comes out of the tunnel? Meeting your dog at the exit of the tunnel might not be a good plan for a fast dog...
• Will you Front Cross or Rear Cross going from 5 to 6? What if you cross between 4 and 5 instead?
• From table 9 to jump 10 you have at least three choices: Front Cross and Post Turn, Post Turn and Rear, or Lateral Lead Out (where you would put the Front Cross) and Post Turn.
• Which side of jump 11 do you want to be on to handle the closing? Are you worried about the off course tunnel?

Advanced Class

Walk it, run it, discuss it, and run it again! The left hand sequence is discussed below:

• Assume the start line is at the bottom of the course, does a Lead Out give you any advantage? If so where would you like to be?
• Your handling of jumps 3-4 will influence your handling of the opening. Will you Push out to jump 2 with your dog on your right? Or will you handle out of the tunnel with your dog on your left and Rear Cross from 3-4?
• Which direction will your wrap your dog around jump 4 to get set up for jump 5?
• Jumps 5-6-7 make a classic Serpentine [Serpentine, SerpentineHandling] what side of the jumps will you handle it on?
• Out of the tunnel is a 180, do you Front or Rear Cross from jump 9 to 10?
• From the table it looks like a set of Post Turns with the dog on the handler's right through jump 15.
• What direction do you Wrap your dog around jump 15? Does the direction help you avoid the off course tunnel after jump 16?

Please add your comments and handling approach(es) for these courses below!

This week's sequences focus on choosing crosses and Pin Wheel handling. The Advanced sequences will require handlers to balance their need to get into position with their dog's distance handling abilities. All four sequences use the same three obstacle opening, the handling for that section "sets the stage" for the rest of the sequence.

There are two Intermediate team sequences. The first opens with a jump-tunnel-jump sequence into a four jump Pin Wheel. Then on to the table. From the table it is an easy three jump Pin Wheel that turns back into another Pin Wheel in the opposite direction (making a gentle "S" path through the course).

After the opening the second Intermediate sequence asks the handler decide how they'll get in position to handle the three jump Pin Wheel to the table. From the table it is a Jump Wrap to a Serpentine [Serpentine, SerpentineHandling] to finish the sequence.

From the fast opening sequence the first Advanced team sequence goes into a tight 270 [270JumpHandling, 270Jumps] with a long run to the table. From there it is a "semi"-Serpentine back to the tunnel. Then a fast four jump Pin Wheel with a Layering opportunity through the last two jumps.

The second Advanced sequence opens with the same opening as the other sequences and into a three jump Pin Wheel to the table. From the table it is another three jump Pin Wheel in the opposite direction with Jump Wrap to the final two jumps.

I'm particularly interested in running the left hand Advanced sequence with Milo.

Course Setup With Obstacle Coordinates

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This week's sequences all contain 270s [270JumpHandling, 270Jumps] within Serpentines [Serpentine, SerpentineHandling]. You have Anne Riba to "thank" for planting this idea in my head. I've been training Milo with Anne again and we had some trouble using Serpentine Handling for this type of sequence on one of her practice courses. So, everyone gets to benefit from my difficulties... I've also put in some Pin Wheels for added interest.

There are two Intermediate team sequences. The first opens with a jump-tunnel-jump sequence to the table. From the table it is a 270 and onto a third jump that gives the handler an opportunity to treat the three obstacles like a Serpentine. Then it is another jump and back into the tunnel. From the tunnel there is a Layering opportunity through the closing set of jumps.

The second Intermediate sequence opens with a jump to the tunnel and then the dog is taken through a three jump Pin Wheel and back into the tunnel. Out of the tunnel are a 270 and a third jump to complete the Serpentine. Then the handler just has to send the dog over two more jumps and onto the table. From the table it is just a jump to the final tunnel.

The first Advanced team course begins with a curving jump and tunnel sequence to the table. From the table it is a 270 to a jump and into the tunnel. Out of the tunnel are a 270 and a third jump to complete the Serpentine. The third jump in the Serpentine is also the first jump of a Pin Wheel (so you might say this sequence was really a 270 to a Pin Wheel). From the Pin Wheel the dog finishes with the tunnel.

The second Advanced sequence opens with a jump to the tunnel and then the dog is taken through a three jump Pin Wheel and back into the tunnel. The 270-Serpentine to the Pin Wheel shows up again but this time the dog goes to the table instead of the tunnel (letting the handler choose your Jump Wrap direction of the final jump). Another 270-Serpentine follows the table (this time in the opposite direction). The sequence ends with a two jump run.

These should be some pretty challenging sequences. The difficulty can be changed by varying the rotation of the jumps in the 270s and by changing the spacing to the single jump connecting the two 270s. The spacing, shown in the setup diagram below, should make the sequences that go from the bottom to the top easier than the reverse.

Course Setup With Obstacle Coordinates

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Jumpers sequences this week; there is no table at which to catch your breath... That being said, I'm excited about these sequences. Give them a try and see what you think.

There are two Intermediate team sequences. The first opens with a couple jumps to a Serpentine [Serpentine, SerpentineHandling] (it is almost two back to back Serpentines) to the tunnel. Out of the tunnel a bit of running through a near 270 [270JumpHandling, 270Jumps] jump sequence and back into the tunnel. Then a long run into a 270.

The second sequence opens with a run through two jumps to the tunnel. Then a 180 and back into the tunnel again. Out of the tunnel the same two jumps now make a Serpentine right into a 270 jumping sequence. I think we'll work on this sequence in class.

The first Advanced team course opens with a jump into a four jump Serpentine. It is then the handler's choice for which direction to wrap the dog around the jump and into the tunnel. Out of the tunnel it is a two jump near 270 and back into the tunnel. The sequence closes with a fast line into a Box [JumpBoxDrillGenerator, DIYBoxSequences, BoxDrills, BoxInCourses, Box] with another 270.

The second sequence works the opening as an across the Box with a 270 and into the tunnel. Then the four jump Serpentine going in the opposite (easier?) direction ending back through the Box in a final 270.

Course Setup With Obstacle Coordinates

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There are two Intermediate team sequences. The first opens with an awkward entry to a Pin Wheel into a an Over Come Jump Wrap. Then a 270 [270JumpHandling, 270Jumps] to the table. The sequence ends with a Serpentine [Serpentine, SerpentineHandling] out of the tunnel. The second sequence opens with a Serpentine to the tunnel. Then two jumping sequences sandwich the table containing a 270 ending with an almost straight line jump sequence with off course opportunities.

The first Advanced team course is a runners course which should have good flow and challenging closing sequence. The second course opens with a Serpentine for which racing down one side of the jumps may not be helpful. Then it is just a matter of choosing sides and critical locations when running the rest of the jumps.

Course Setup With Obstacle Coordinates

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Intermediate teams work a sequence opening with a 270 [270JumpHandling, 270Jumps]. Then a little jumping sequence to the table. A tricky Pull Through into a 180 and into the tunnel. The closing is a distorted Box [JumpBoxDrillGenerator, DIYBoxSequences, BoxDrills, BoxInCourses, Box] with another 180. There are two Advanced group sequences containing Pull Throughs, Jump Wraps, 180s and 270s.

The Pull Throughs make these courses seem difficult; but, as I learned from Jen Pinder, if you handle the gap as if it is just another jump you can it can simplify/clarify you handling.

If you want to see how I handled these sequences take a look here. I can't say my handling was too pretty!

Course Setup With Obstacle Coordinates

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The Intermediate teams work a sequence opening with a Serpentine [Serpentine, SerpentineHandling] where the third obstacle is the tunnel. Then a long curving, jumping sequence to the table. The close is sort of a Pin Wheel into a 180 degree jump. There are two Advanced group sequences containing Serpentine/Pin Wheel combinations. Each has a long jumping sequence that can be handled as a Gamble. If necessary the jumps surrounding the tunnel could be moved closer to tunnel, allowing handlers to work on taking the jumps at a distance without running with the dog around the outside of the tunnel's curve.

Course Setup

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The Intermediate teams work a sequence of two Pin Wheels (one in each direction) connected by a 270 degree turn [270JumpHandling, 270Jumps] in the presence of two off course tunnel entrances. The ending is a fun run over four jumps. There are two Advanced group sequences (one reuses the Intermediate group opening) that incorporate Pin Wheels, 270s, a Pull Through and a Jump Wrap to the tunnel.

Course Setup

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