Reminder: To increase the course size for viewing, simply double click on it. Thanks to Agility In Motion we have a video to view from this course.

Cliff Notes Version for Novice – Best Way to Handle the Course:

1. Start with dog on right and lead-out between #1 and #2, release the dog over the jump and put into the tunnel.
2. Do a front cross while the dog is in the tunnel so they are on the handler’s left side for #3 & 4.
3. Do a front cross after the #4 teeter so the dog is on the handler’s right for #5 & #6.
4. Optional: Do a front cross on the landing side of the a-frame to put the dog on the #7 table.
5. With the dog on the handler’s right side while leaving the table, proceed through #12.
6. On the landing side of #12, do a front cross to facilitate the change in direction toward the dog walk.
7. The dog is on the handler’s left side for the dog walk and weaves.
8. Do a front cross after the weaves (be sure to move in the direction of the #15 jump) so the dog is on the handler’s right going down the last line of jumps.

Skills Challenge for Open – Training Suggestions To Get To The Next Level:

If choosing a running a-frame, you must TRAIN for the running criteria…not just hope your dog hits the yellow area. See below for more details.

Train dog & handler to be able to stay in close for tight handling. An example is the sequence of the #13 dog walk to the #14 weaves and to avoid the off-course #8 jump.

The Details for Excellent – What Worked and What Didn’t:

For this group of handlers, the first 6 obstacles were generally very smooth and without incident. The problem seemed to start with the #6 a-frame.

Running a-frames are very popular at this point in agility’s evolution and I saw plenty of them at this trial. I also called more missed a-frame contacts than I can remember! With the off-course #8 jump starring the dogs’ in the eye as handler’s raced to try to collect their dog for the turn to the #7 table, I was a busy, busy judge. I do believe running contacts are wonderful, however, just like any other obstacle performance, they do need to be TRAINED!

Sequence #7 through #12 was fun for the dogs and handlers were successful in driving down the line to keep the dog on track.

Because of the speed coming in to #12:

1. Handlers often struggled to get into place for a front cross before the #13 dog walk and often had to turn prior to getting on the weave side of this obstacle. Once out of place, they were forced to either do an unplanned rear cross at the dog walk entrance or continue moving backward which could result in the dog moving toward the off-course #16 jump.
2. The other speed problem was that handlers were challenged in collecting their dog for the turn up the dog walk. Some dogs simply chose not to collect or didn’t see their handlers who were trying to front cross when behind the dog and went over the #16 jump that was right in front of them.

The most challenging area on the course was the line from #13 to the #14 weave poles. It seems dogs were so used to taking what was in front of them that many completely ignored their handlers to go out to the off-course #8 jump. Other handlers attempted to get creative (with some success) and front-crossed after the dog walk so that they were facing the poles. While this created one heck of a challenging weave pole entry for the dogs, I have to say, most made the entry which leaves me to believe this group of handlers has trained that skill.

The unexpected area of the course was the push from #15 up to the #16 jump. After having gotten through the ‘hard parts’ of the course, some handlers failed to support or push-out to the #16 jump so dogs took the obvious short cut and went from #15 to #17 as they followed their handlers down to the closing jumps.

Enjoy the video!

copyright Lisa M. Selthofer 2011

Reminder: To increase the course size for viewing, simply double click on it.

Cliff Notes Version for Novice – Best Way to Handle the Course:

1. Start with dog on right for #1-3.
2. Do a front cross on the landing side of #3 so the dog is now on the handler’s left.
3. After #4 tunnel, do either a front-cross to send to #5 OR collect the dog after #5 and do a rear cross to send the dog to the weaves (see below for more details).
4. With the dog on the handlers right during the weaves, do a front cross after the weaves to send to the #7 jump.
5. Dog is on the handler’s left for #7-#10.
6. Either a front or a rear cross on the landing side of #10.
7. Dog is on the handler’s right for #11-#14.
8. On the landing side of #14, do a front cross and complete the course with the dog on the handler’s left.

Skills Challenge for Open – Training Suggestions To Get To The Next Level:

1. Train the dog to collect, come in to handler and ‘run across handler’s toes’ for a tight rear cross on the flat. See below for details.

The Details for Excellent – What Worked and What Didn’t:

Unlike the last course I discussed, I enjoyed watching this particular opening sequence. This sequence allowed handlers to push their dog to the #2 jump and then leave to execute a successful front cross prior to sending the dog into the tunnel.

After the tunnel, handlers did one of two things:

1. They went down to the tunnel exit and executed a front cross so the dog was on their right going over jump #5 and into the weaves.
2. The other option that required a bit more advanced training (and worked very nice) is shown on the map. First, the handler sent the the dog to the tunnel. Once the dog was committed to the tunnel, the handler went down to the landing side of the #5 jump between the jump and weaves, momentarily ceased motion, called their dog over the jump toward them (still remaining in place) and had the dog execute rear cross on the flat (on the ground) by going ‘over the handler’s toes’. This created a very efficient line for the dog from #4 into the weaves and gave the dog a clear collection cue.

After the weaves, most handlers did a front cross which should have worked well. However, I noticed that some handlers aren’t either aware or are not planning the direction they want to move toward while doing a front cross. The path marked in green is the direction handlers should have been heading through their front cross, but the direction in red is where a handful of handlers found themselves. If they followed the red path, the dogs would follow and the #7 jump was more difficult to obtain.

Obstacles #7 through #11 created a simple figure 8 for the dog’s path and a side switch was needed at the #10/#14 jump which was at the middle of the ’8′. Both the front or a rear cross worked well here and the ending sequence was a straight and fast line out.

copyright Lisa M. Selthofer 2011

Reminder: To increase the course size for viewing, simply double click on it.

Cliff Notes Version for Novice – Best Way to Handle the Course:

1. Set the dog up for a straight-on approach to #1
2. Lead out between #1 &2, keep dog on right through the a-frame (note, there were other ways to handle this opening sequence, read below for more details).
3. Front-cross between #3 & 4 so the dog is now on the handler’s left.
4. Depending on the speed of the dog, either leave the dog at the teeter and front-cross between #8 & 9 or rear/front cross after the #9 weaves.
5. Dog is on the handler’s right going into the #10 tunnel and remains on that side for the push-back at the #12 jump.
6. After pushing the dog to the back of #12, handlers did a front cross on the landing side of #12 so the dogs were now on their left.
7. The dog remained on the handler’s left side until around obstacle #18.
8. Prior to #18 or #19, most handlers did a rear cross to keep their dog off of the teeter and driving toward the #19 triple.

Skills Challenge for Open – Training Suggestions To Get To The Next Level:

1. Train the ‘Push to the Backside of a Jump‘ Maneuver.

The Details for Excellent – What Worked and What Didn’t:

Every once in awhile I’ll create a course where my vision of what handlers will do (the green path shown on the course) is far different than what happens (the red path shown on the course).

While I did slightly exaggerate the green path drawn for the dog, I really did envision handlers interacting and moving more in this opening sequence. I thought handlers would recognize the off-set angle of the #2 jump and take care to consider how this looks to the dog and perhaps start with the dog on the right through this sequence to ensure a nice approach to the a-frame.

However, what happened instead was that handlers led out to the bottom of the a-frame, used lateral distance to work jumps #1 & 2 and asked their dog to approach the a-frame at a sharp angle and with speed. This left dogs scrambling to remain on the a-frame rather than fly off the right side of the obstacle. Thank goodness for rubber contacts which gave the dogs additional traction and cushion, but it still was not fun to watch.

Once through the opening sequence, things went much better and most dogs made the weave entry with no problem.

The push to the back side of the jump at #12 was handled very well and dogs were comfortable going out on their own while their handler situated themselves for the #13 jump.

Surprisingly, several people opted for a rear-cross before #13 which was at times awkward since the dogs were still behind the handler (having been sent out to the back side of #12) and therefore were either 1) pushed to the #2 off course jump or 2) the handler found themselves on top of #13 which created a very tight rear cross and had the dog landing toward the empty space under the a-frame. Handlers then had to redirect their dog and push hard to get them moving in the correct direction toward the table.

Another unexpected area that incurred several refusals/runouts was the #16 jump. Handlers assumed that once the dogs were in the chute that they would go out and take that jump. However, since handlers were driving from #15 straight over/down to the landing side of #17, dogs often pulled in and by-passed #16. Handlers needed to support and put pressure on the dog’s path to keep them on that jump.

The ending sequence with the off-course teeter just before the #19 jump was another subtle area that required handler input. Many assumed the last ‘straight’ line of jumps was going to be an easy exit out, however, much to my surprise (and others) the teeter was a HUGE draw! Handlers either needed a cross to get themselves to the outside of the course to keep the dog from curling in toward the teeter or they needed a very solid push/get out to drive them toward the #19 jump.

copyright Lisa M. Selthofer 2011

Reminder: To increase the course size for viewing, simply double click on it.

Cliff Notes Version for Novice – Best Way to Handle the Course:

1. Lead out between #1 and 2 with dog on right side going into tunnel.
2. Do a front cross between #2 & 3 so dog is now on left side going up the dog walk and over #4.
3. Do another front cross after #4 so the dog is on the right side through #6.
4. Do either a front or rear cross (rear was clearer to the dogs) between #6 and the #7 tunnel so the dog is now on the left.
5. Coming out of tunnel, dog remains on handler’s left side through the #9 double.
6. A front cross should occur around the a-frame (either before or after) so the dog is now on the right for #10/11. There are lots of options and the best is dependent on you and your dog’s skill level. Read below for more details.
7. Front-cross after #11 so now dog is on left to the #13 table.
8. Front cross during the table count so dog is on right going into the #15 tunnel (note: be sure to drive down to the tunnel entrance).
9. Coming out of the tunnel, the dog will be on your right  and a cross needs to occur before or after the #17 chute so that the dog can be directed to the #18 jump.  More details below.

Skills Challenge for Open – Training Suggestions To Get To The Next Level:

1. Independent weave performance. More details below.
2. Dog and handler have a GOOD understanding of front crosses (placement as well as a clear signal). More details below.

The Details for Excellent – What Worked and What Didn’t:

Let’s start at the beginning. Several handlers began their run (obstacles #1 & 2) with their dog on the left side (note under the Novice section I suggested starting with your dog on your right…), led out, faced the tunnel (which puts pressure on the dog), released their dog and the dog kindly chose not to invade their personal space and promptly went into the wrong side of the tunnel. Ouch! Not a fun way to start a run and several handlers were baffled and frustrated with a section of the course that they deemed easy.

I’ll be sure to write a blog article on the power of facing your dog to follow up on the above scenario. But back to the course…

After the tunnel, most handlers picked their dog up on their left side and took off running to meet/beat their dog down the dog walk. Interestingly, several dogs read the increased motion, but not necessarily the direction the handler was running and there were a few off-courses as dogs cut in behind the handlers to take either the #1 jump or the #14 tire. As an alternative, some handlers had the dog on their right side as they approached the dog walk which worked well to prevent the pre-dog walk off-course options and they simple did a front cross at the end of the dog walk to put themselves in a better position for the next sequence.

The next sequence looks a little scary on paper, but it ran well for the competitors. Most handlers did a front cross after the #4 jump so the dog was on their right side and then did a rear cross at the #7 tunnel to put the dog on their left side heading toward the weaves. Those handlers who attempted to keep the dog on their left over #4 & #5 found it difficult to ‘push’ the dog up toward the #6 double as the dog was certain they were going up the off-course a-frame.

The #6 – #8 sequence went smoothly and most dogs easily found the weave pole entrance. Here’s where having independent weaves was a handy skill set to have. By being able to leave the dogs to complete the weaves, handlers were able to take an efficient path toward the landing side of #9 to get in a front cross (so the dog was now on their right) which was beneficial as they entered the next sequence. Those without independent weaves had to stay behind, keep the dog on their left and do either a front or rear cross before #11.

Of all the areas on the course, #11 to the #12 teeter was the largest problem section with dogs heading directly to the off-course dog walk. At the end of the day, I concluded some of the reasons were:

1. When doing a rear cross, handlers were either facing the dog walk or failed to signal the dog until AFTER the jump where they were going (by that time, the dog had already decided what their path was going to be).
2. When doing a front cross, handlers were trying to ‘catch’ their dog on the landing side of the jump while still moving (usually toward the dog walk) or their dog didn’t honor the front cross signal by coming in for the side switch.

As I mentioned earlier, handlers took advantage of the dog being stationary at the table and did a front cross while they were in position so the dog was now on their right. Since the very last obstacles had a change in direction for the dog, one last side switch was needed somewhere. The options were:

1. Prior to the chute, most folks did a front cross on the landing side of the #16 jump so the dog was on their left going in to the chute (this easily pulled the dog over the #18 jump with little effort and wasted yardage). Others did a rear cross as the dog was going into the chute which required the handler to really RUN to get down to the chute exit to avoid having the dog curl in too tight and by-pass #18.
2. The other option was to redirect the dog after the chute. These handlers kept their dog on the right side as they entered the chute and rear crossed at the chute exit. While not always the most efficient in terms of yardage for the dog, this too worked very well and handlers successfully completed the course.

Getting Back to Those Front Crosses….

We can ALL use work on our front crosses, so I’m going to add a front cross section to my blog in the near future. Something simple, efficient, but effective. Stay tuned (although it maybe July/August since my schedule is amazingly hectic until then).

copyright Lisa M. Selthofer 2011

Thanks to input from Members, we’re going to give a new course analysis format a try. The new format is to better assist all levels of agility competitors from Novice up through our most experienced competitors.

Please let us know what you think!

Reminder: To increase the course size for viewing, simply double click on it.

Cliff Notes Version for Novice – Best Way to Handle the Course:

1. Start with dog on left to #1 tunnel.
2. Do a front-cross so dog is on right going over #2 jump and into #3 tunnel.
3. Do front-cross so dog is on left through obstacles #4-7.
4. Do front-cross so dog is on right through obstacles #8-11.
5. Dog on left while leaving table through obstacle #15.
6. Rear-cross #16 and push over remain jumps #17-18.

Skills Challenge for Open – Training Suggestions To Get To The Next Level:

• Dog understands that even with increased speed, they must do all obstacles as trained. More information below.

The Details for Excellent – What Worked and What Didn’t:

Let me just start out by saying this was a fast, flowing course!

It started off by revving the dogs up by enticing them with two tunnels within the first 3 obstacles. I’ve often heard the tunnel referred to as ‘the particle accelerator’, so imagine what two of them did to increase the dog’s speed and happy mood!

From there they were off to jump #4 and hopefully the dog walk. Unfortunately the off-course double seemed to draw several dogs in and handlers were left wondering what happened so early in the game. To answer the ‘What happened’ mystery, several handlers hung around, waiting for their dog to come out of the tunnel before they began moving toward the #4 jump and setting the line for the dog walk. As a result, they were left trying to get around the #4 wing and were squarely facing and momentarily moving toward the double. Naturally, that’s where the dog thought they were going and due to their speed, handlers found it was too late to alter their direction toward the dog walk.

This part of the country seemed to have contact concerns and I noticed many folks were trying desperately to manage them. However where they lacked in contact training, they made up for in weave pole entries. Nice job there!

Moving on to jump #7 and into the next sequence, it was a 50/50 split between those who did a front cross on the landing side of #7 and those who chose to do a cross after the #8 teeter (which ended up being a rear-cross at #9). If a handler didn’t have independent weave poles, the cross after the teeter was the better choice since those handlers were behind the dog when they sent them over the #7 jump.

Moving on to the #9 double, I have to say that for those who did their cross after the teeter, it created a nice tight line from the double to the #10 a-frame.

As for the #11 table, most handlers simply pushed to it with the dog on their right, although I did have a few handlers who skipped it entirely and moved directly onto the #12 tire without skipping a beat.

For those who did include the table, they had their dog on the left side as they approached #12 & 13. Of all the jumps on the course, the #13 jump was by far, the one that went down the most.  Some of the potential reasons were that the handlers were further back and not supporting the jump, the dog saw the chute and put their head down early in anticipation of the obstacle, or that the dogs were just hyped, moving at a fast pace and not picking up their feet.

Surprisingly, there were several dogs who never went into the chute and pulled with their handlers as they tried to get down toward the landing side of the triple. Given this, I would say that #13 mainly went down due to handlers neglecting to support the line over #13 and into the #14 chute.

Those who did successfully support #13 & 14 generally executed a rear cross over #16, although several handlers did get in a successful front cross on the landing side of #15 as well (they had to move fast to get that in!).

Unfortunately, some dogs did bypass either #16 when handlers pushed in to their dog too early and some dogs even missed the #17 jump when they took a wide turn off of #16.

In the ending sequence, dog & handler had to be right on with their timing. Given the speed of the course and adrenaline flowing at full steam, it was a challenge for most teams. These same two reasons make NQ’s at the very end of the course incredibly disappointing for all. For me, because I’m incredibly mesmerized by the team, the rhythm and rooting for them. For the dog and handler because they’re creating a high for themselves with such a spectacular run and who wants to blow that at the very end?!?!

So the lesson to be learned on this course was that speed is something to be proofed and while it can be fun, it can be a course-killer too!

copyright Lisa M. Selthofer 2011