Advanced Class: Be Aggressive! - 18-Nov-2011

18 Nov 2011Steve Schwarz

This course is all about running the course with conviction, keeping connected with your dog and cuing tight jump wraps using a Shoulder Pull Learning the Post Turn Post Turn/Shoulder Pull/Pivot Turn. All good skills on which to work. It is more challenging than it might at first look!

Course Setup

Obstacle Legend

I had my Intermediate class run the course up through 17. My Advanced/Masters class ran the whole thing.

Here are some handling thoughts:

Dog on handler's left 1-4.
Turn the dog to their right over 3 - as soon as the dog commits get moving to tighten up the turn. I don't like wrapping the dog to their left over the jump it doesn't give the dog a good/safe line to the A Frame.
Rear Cross Learning the Rear Cross Rear Cross/Push in to the tunnel. Being on this side of the A Frame allows the handler to be at the tunnel exit - RUN! - get some speed going.
Three main options for 7-8-9-10-11 as shown in red/green/blue in the following diagram:
1. Rear Cross on the approach to 10 and either Rear Cross again on the approach to 11 or Front Cross to tighten up the wrap over 10 on the way to 11. Either way this was a wider and slower path for the dog (shown in red).
2. My preferred handling gives a tighter and faster line: dog on handler's right all the way through the weaves. Run fast and keep in contact with your dog (don't turn in to them - use their name if necessary to keep your dog close). As you approach 10 you want the dog to slice the jump and turn left over 10. Don't move past the first wing of the jump and as soon as the dog takes off, turn sharply toward jump 11, talk to them to bring them in to your arm. Drive forward to take jump 11. Works like a charm! (shown in green).
3. A third option is Blind Cross between 8 and 9 and Rear Cross jump wrap 10 (still turning the dog to their left). The problem is for slower handlers; a slow/late Blind Cross can take the dog off their line to 9-10. (shown in blue).

Handling 8-12

Pick up the dog on the right coming out of the tunnel to help the weave approach.
Front Cross Jump Wrap 14 to tighten turn - dog on right through 15 and 16.
Push slightly to the back of the jump to get 17. Slightly shaping that line helps keep the dog off the tunnel entrance(s).
The key to getting the weave entrance is driving straight to the weaves. Talk to the dog to keep it focused on you and don't look back or you'll open up and cue the tunnel entrances.
Then it is simple Threadle Mary Ellen Barry on Threadle Handling The Connection Between Threadles and Back Sides Traditional Threadle Handling Single Sided Threadle Handling Threadle Sequence for the ending.

Hesitation, looking back, RFPs and other “managing” handling methods don’t help. It is all about showing your dog their path, keeping in contact with your dog, and trusting in your teamwork! Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this article won't you please: Thanks!

Advanced Class: Be Aggressive! - 18-Nov-2011

Course Setup

Handling 8-12

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