Rainy Day Send Away

Here's a rainy day exercise. It requires 1 jump and 1 plastic cup -- and, of course, your dog and some "good dog" stuff. If you don't have a jump, you can manufacture one out of a broom and a couple of stacks of books. The jump does not have to be tall.

Step 1: Setup your jump so it's facing a wall, about 2' away from the wall. You and your dog stand on the other side of jump about 2' away from the jump, facing the jump. Set your plastic cup on the floor to mark where you're standing.

Step 2: Send your dog over the jump. Give him a verbal cue, then follow up with any kind of body or hand cue you'd like. Stare at the jump. Nod at the jump. Take a small step forward. Lure him over. Or toss a cookie if you'd like. Help him get over the jump, land in the 2' area between the jump and the wall, and return to you around the jump. Reward him lavishly. Repeat this step several times until he's completing it fluently.

Step 3: Take a giant step backwards and set your dog up there. Repeat Step 2 with this twist -- your body may not pass the plastic cup you set down earlier. Remember to take a giant step back from the cup each time you start this step. When he's completing this step happily. Move to Step 4.

Step 4: Walk up to the cup. Pick it up. Take a giant step backwards, then set the cup down beside you. Repeat Step 3 -- take another giant step backwards and send your dog over the jump without passing the newly placed cup.

Continue to repeat step 4 as long as your dog is happily travelling the established distance. If it looks like he's getting confused or frustrated, move back up a giant step, then move back again when he's confident. Keep in mind that your dog should have good surface traction. This is a "sending" exercise, not a "jumping" exercise. Enjoy!

6 Obstacle Approaches

There are only 6 ways to approach an obstacle on an agility course. Make sure to practice all 6 with each new obstacle.

1. Run by left:
   You run past (by) the obstacle with your dog on your right (left side of your dog).
2. Run by right:
   You run past (by) the obstacle with your dog on your left (right side of your dog).
3. Send:
   Send your dog ahead of you over an obstacle.
4. Recall:
   Call your dog to you over an obstacle.
5. Rear cross left:
   Start on the right side of your dog and rear cross to the left side as you approach.
6. Rear cross right:
   Start on the left side of your dog and rear cross to the right side as you approach.