Part 2 – The STOP

This is the major differentiator between other methods and the hardest / longest to train. I had decided that I wanted a completely ‘hands free’ method (both to encourage independence and avoid shoulder pressure), so everything would be shaped.

The Stop broke down into 7 distinct exercises:

1. Nose touches (NT)
2. Rear end awareness
3. 2O2O as a discrete exercise (away from contacts)
4. The Happy zone
5. Fading a NT
6. Looking ahead / next obstacle

vii.  Fading reward / varying reinforcement

I will cover each of these in more depth over the next few weeks

Training a ‘2 on 2 off’ (2O2O) contact for speed and accuracy

Part 1 – Overview, Introduction and Methodology

Overview

Training a quick and consistent contact is the goal of most agility handlers. Today the strategies employed can be summed up as 2O2O, 4 on the floor or running. Each strategy has its advantages and disadvantages. This series of articles describe and summarise my method for training the former while critiquing the method and comparing against the latter.

Introduction

Agility training methods are constantly evolving. As more scientific methods (based on understanding of dog behaviours) are introduced, contacts have become quicker and more consistent.

Like most people starting with a new dog, my objective was to study the latest methods and work with a strategy which would offer highest consistency and speed, coupled with resources available. The latter was an important part of decision making. Factors such as equipment time, weather, time to train and ground conditions through the year, all play a part in what can be achieved.

Taking all the above in consideration I decided on a shaped 2O2O method with an objective of a <1.8 second (independent) dog walk. To achieve this I also set myself a goal of 16 months from beginning to 1^st competition, coupled with that it would need constant refinement.

Methodology

From now on I will use the Dog Walk (DW) as the example, although AF & SS remain relatively similar with minor adjustments.

There were 4 basic parts to training the DW:

1. Entry
2. Running the planks to 90% completion
3. The stop (or contact)
4. Alighting

The next articles will describe the sequential steps in #3 as this was taught at a foundation level. #2 was introduced at 8 months, #1 at 9 months and #4 at 14 months.

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Ahead of plan

The last month has been very relaxed Agility wise. After the busy month of August, Jude's injury in the GB team qualifiers meant no training prep work for the FCI agility WC this weekend (good luck to all my team mates).

We spent a fantastic week in Jersey having a holiday and doing some judging. Thanks to everyone in Jersey for making our stay so welcome, we didn't want to come home!

So after an easy month, we ventured 'up north' last weekend to do the shows in Middlesborough. The Saturday was an absolute scorcher, a beautiful day to start JD's G4 career.

My plan for 2011 had been to win out of G3 by end of August (achieved) and then work through G4, concentrating on Jumping ready for show season next year. Well plan didn't quite work and we won our first G4 Agility. Now I am very pleased and proud with this, the course was not simple (see above) and our contacts and FX's were spot on, but it does change our winter plan.

Theoretically it changes nothing with JD (he can't age faster and there is no shop to 'buy' experience) but competition wise, there is going to be more pressure as the courses will be harder. We struggled at the weekend in the combined 4 - 7 and at G5 we will have more combined courses with the upper levels. To compete in G5+ we need to have better turns in tighter (jump) configurations.

So my winter training plan just incorporated a few more things!