Jackie and I participated in the Cowtown Dog Sports Agility Contact Workshop Part 2 this weekend with much success. New skills learned included cueing directional turns off of a contact. We were also able to practice playing correct start lines and perfect 2o2o behavior.
It was a great educational experience getting to rehearse stopped contacts, and begin linking obstacles such as hoops, jumps as well as turns before and after the contacts.
Pearls:
- To begin, teach straight directions off of contacts "Go!" and when that is solid teach turning toward the handler directional cues "Here!" and when that is solid teach turning away from the handler cues "Back!"
- Be extremely diligent in reinforcing absolutely correct start lines and 2o2o behavior. If the dog blows past the end of the contact, it can be ok to circle the dog back around onto the contact and reinforce correct 2o2o, but only once or twice, otherwise the circling around can become part of the behavior which is not correct 2o2o behavior
- To reinforce correct 2o2o behavior if the dog is struggling, it is best to return to the start and play the behavior again, capturing and jackpotting correct 2o2o contact behavior at the end of the contact
- Vary the amount of time the handler waits to release the dog at the start line and after the contact, so the dog doesn't begin to anticipate the same rhythm each time
- At the start line it is best to just say "Break!" and then the obstacle name "Feet!" (for the dog walk) and directionally point to the dog's path of travel. No need to say "Break! Go! Feet!" you can just say "Break! Feet!" and visually cue the dog walk by pointing straight ahead to the 2o2o contact zone
- Remember to follow through by running past the final obstacle with your dog; pulling up or stopping short may cause the dog to stop and turn around to see what you're doing and possibly miss the final jump; rather keep going to indicate to your dog that she is to follow through over the final obstacle
Video clip of Jackie learning directional cues to and from contact, and practicing 2o2o stopped contacts:
