Crazymaesy Agility Training Notes
Weaving
A dog which works on into the weaves and then weaves quickly while you
get into position for the next obstacle will save 3 seconds over one which
doesn't.
Repetition is
the key. But don't repeat mistakes. Work on short sections, work the dog on the
lead, use cages or guide wires, use angled or split (but not too far apart)
training weaves. Don't be impatient and be prepared to help the dog a little
more (without "babying") for an iteration or two if errors creep in.
Get the weaves solid before trying to include them in courses otherwise the dog
just learns to make mistakes.
The aim is for
the dog to work the weaves independently of you, so work both sides, ahead and
behind right from the start. Again, go back to training set-ups to build the
dog's tolerance for this.
You want the
dog's head to be down and working the poles rather than up and getting
distracted. Go back to the lead if it isn't.
Lots of praise
and encouragement for getting it right. Neutral when it's wrong. Toys and
treats are fine, but as a reward for a successful performance, not as a lure.
Use fencing
poles set closer together to build up a solid technique.
Really keen
dogs will often skip poles in trying to be too quick. Don't get cross, but put
them in a down and make them wait for a few seconds before continuing. If you
do say "no" be sure that you do so the instant the dog misses a weave
… not when it has just done the next two correctly!
Start with
weave entries the dog can't get wrong and slowly build up to longer distances
and wider angles. Help the dog by running at the second weave pole at first but
run less far each time so the dog learns to find the entrance itself. Again, if
the dog starts to get it wrong, give just a little bit more help for a couple
of goes so it can earn praise.
Practice
crossing behind the dog in the poles and practice reverse turns and blind turns
at the end of the weaves.
Don’t
try training the weaves too early. It can
put both physical and mental stress on a dog.
We always leave the obstacle until last, when dog and handler have built
up a great partnership at doing different things in Agility quickly and
accurately and there is a solid background of mutual trust.
Many people
swear by channel weaves, angle weaves, two pole at a time clicker training and
other methods. We’ve seen success with
all of these as well as failure with them when the principles above have been
ignored. We use angle or channel weaves
to speed up performance if needed but for initial training we have had great
success with old fashioned lead work.
The keys are to wait until the dog is ready, to work with someone
experienced in the technique and to have an unlimited supply of enthusiasm and
motivational energy yourself!
© 2003, 2004, 2005 by Crazymaesy Agility Tel +44 (0) 1367 240489 Mob +44 (0) 7967 967456 email jo@crazymaesy.co.uk
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