Lorrie [00:00:08]:
Your run is going great, and you and your agility dog are in the zone. As you get ready to work the next section of the distance challenge, you realize that you have drifted too close to the line with no room to move if your dog needs help. Is there a way to recover? In many cases, yes! In this episode, I'll give you 3 ways you can regain some distance from the handler restriction line in gamblers, FAST, or chances. Welcome to the Maximum Fun Agility podcast. I'm Lorrie Reynolds, owner of Maximum Fun Dog Sports. We help your agility team build your relationship, communication, confidence, and fun in training so that you can joyfully succeed on any course. Here are 3 ways to move off the distance challenge line on an agility course without confusing your dog.
Lorrie [00:01:02]:
First, a tunnel is your friend. Your dog can't see your motion once they have entered a tunnel. So if you move away, you won't confuse him. Send your dog in, and as he runs through, take a couple of quick steps back or move laterally away from the line. Just make sure you are not moving in the wrong direction when he comes out. An even better situation is when the tunnel is parallel to the line. When your dog goes in, you can continue to move forward, but add a little lateral distance as you go. Make sure you are traveling in the correct direction when your dog exits the tunnel.
Lorrie [00:01:41]:
2nd, you can use what I call "fixed path obstacles" to move laterally away. If you have taught your dog obstacle independence, once you get him to the weave poles, dog walk, or a-frame, he should complete the obstacle. Maintain your support and take advantage of his fixed path through the weaves or over the contacts to move laterally away from the line. Be ready to move in the correct direction and cue him for the next obstacle before he finishes. The third place is where there are sections of the course where the dog logically moves towards you. On most courses with distance challenges, after you send your dog out, there is at least one place where the path comes back your way. Instead of maintaining your position or moving parallel to him, take advantage of those sections to move in the same direction as your dog, away from the line. This will give you room to push the other direction when you need to turn your dog away again.
Lorrie [00:02:45]:
All is not lost if you get too close to the distance line on a gambler's, FAST, or chances course. Use one of these three strategies to regain some space and set yourself up for the next section of the course. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Maximum Fun Agility podcast. If you wanna build a successful agility team where runs with your partner feel flowing and in sync, join us in The Agility Playground. The Agility Playground is a low cost membership that meets you where you are on your dog agility journey and helps you propel your team to new heights. You can check out The Agility Playground and join our community at www.maximumfundogs.com. See you next time.
