Backyard Dogs Practice Sequences - 2018 May
30 Dec 2018
This is an expanded version of my Backyard Dogs article originally published in the May 2018 issue of CleanRun.
For this month’s Backyard Dogs exercises I created sequences to work on improving entrances, exits, and handling on the way in and out of the weaves. My young dog Snap! is weaving 6 poles and this was a great opportunity to add to his skills as well as testing how far my more experienced Flyer and I can go! I also have some sequences where you can work on moving with your dog past the weaves. Somehow I turned Flyer into a “weave seeking missile” and I now include this skill in our practices.
The weaves are physically demanding on our dogs so I try not to do too many repetitions in any training session. So work on these spread across many training sessions.
Here is the equipment layout in a 40 ft x 50 ft space in English and Metric coordinates:
Here is the equipment layout using a full set of weaves in a larger 50 ft x 50 ft space in English and Metric coordinates:
Let’s get to work:
Download a PDF of all 9 sequences on a single pageThe sequences increase in difficulty with the later ones including threadles Mary Ellen Barry on Threadle HandlingThe Connection Between Threadles and Back SidesTraditional Threadle HandlingSingle Sided Threadle HandlingThreadle Sequence and back side Handling the Quad Back Side - Patrick Bucher Course/VideoThe Connection Between Threadles and Back SidesBack Side/Back Side JumpBack Side of Jump Handling Combinations - Video jump approaches.
When you are working on these sequences challenge yourself by turning your dog both directions around the jump preceding the weaves when its a jump wrap. It will change your handling on the way in and out of the wrap. Similarly, if a sequence calls for a change of sides at the weaves, can you front Learning the Front Cross - VideoFront Cross, rear Learning the Rear CrossRear Cross, and blind cross on both the entrance and exit of the weaves?
I’ll always challenge you to develop the skills to not just “get through” a sequence, but to be able to master it using as many techniques as possible.
Run Clean, Run Fast, Run Fun!
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