Contacts

[Silaria]

I actually do a 4-on with Edan for the Teeter. He's so light that he doesn't tip the board til about half-way past the support. There have been times when trying to learn a 2o2o with the teeter that he either got bounced off, completely ran off the end before it was all the way down, or got knocked in his privates. This really started to have a negative impact on his teeter running.

Switching to a 4-on has rebuilt his confidence on the teeter so we'll stick with it.

Edan has started doing 4-on when I say "target" off the dog walk also. I'm inclined to just leave that alone because (1) he is getting to the contact and (2) he's safe.

Our problem is the a-frame; Edan just slides down the front side. He KNOWS the word "target" and what he's supposed to do but he usually can't stop. He usually ends up parallel to the bottom of the a-frame. If I use a running contact, he jumps off just at the transition to the contact zone - NOT safe.

I'm actually taking a step backwards with my training and retaking one of my club's basic classes, the last one in our beginner series to be exact because contacts are supposed to be at full height in that class, so we can try to improve his contacts. I'm also taking a two hour Contacts and Weaves class later this month with Donna Rohaus.

I just have to keep working at it and not let it frustrate me.

 

[corbinam]

Our problem is the a-frame; Edan just slides down the front side. He KNOWS the word "target" and what he's supposed to do but he usually can't stop. He usually ends up parallel to the bottom of the a-frame. If I use a running contact, he jumps off just at the transition to the contact zone - NOT safe.QUOTE]

It sounds like Edan may not have the butt strength (seriously!) to hold himself on there. If he seems to know he's supposed to stop, but his momentum carries him past the contact, you may want to work on building strength in his rear.

You can do that by buying one of those exercise balls and putting him on it. Obviously you have to support him there, but let him use his rear muscles to bounce on it.

Also, it may be beneficial to lower the A-frame so that he doesn't have as much momentum as he comes down the side. He will gain strength and confidence this way.

 

[Silaria]

It sounds like Edan may not have the butt strength (seriously!) to hold himself on there. If he seems to know he's supposed to stop, but his momentum carries him past the contact, you may want to work on building strength in his rear.

That's exactly it - not enough strength in his back end.

You can do that by buying one of those exercise balls and putting him on it. Obviously you have to support him there, but let him use his rear muscles to bounce on it.

Hmm... I have an exercise ball from when I use to do Jazzersize. It even has little "fingers" on it so it doesn't roll on one side. I'm not sure what you mean by 'let him bounce on it'. How do I teach him to do this? Any advice?

Also, it may be beneficial to lower the A-frame so that he doesn't have as much momentum as he comes down the side. He will gain strength and confidence this way.

My DH and I are supposed to build a plank with slats and painted/sanded to mimic an a-frame. The idea being to lay this on my steps so he can come down the plank and 2o2o target at the bottom. When we are done, remove the plank and have our stairs back.

The reason I want to do this instead of just using the steps is because he just doesn't make the connection between the steps (which he has no problem going up or down) to the a-frame. I'm hoping this will help.

 

[corbinam]

Clean Run has a DVD called Get on the Ball, which I assume shows and explains different exercise ball exercises.

I found this website which includes a short video. It's not the greatest (very small!) but you get the idea better this way.

http://www.wizardofpaws.net/pages/store.htm

Really, it's just about getting the dog on the ball (standing, laying down, legs dangling, either way) and bouncing a bit to build muscles. Hope that helps!

 

[Justicemom]

I use a ball for conditioning Diva. She loves it. Of course, she was such a daredevil that when I got it blown up,she immediately tried to fling herself up on it. We don;t have a video but just work on standing up, lying down, sitting etc. They really have to work to keep balanced.

 

[Sharon]

That website is Debbie Gross Saunders. She lives by me. She is very good. I have used her quite a bit.

 

[k9kreationz]

do you do running contacts or 2020 or both with your dogs?

I chose to do running for two reasons. 1. it's faster. 2. Koji didn't jump off the ends. Although, for some reason now, he's jumping off the teeter and dog walk. Ugh! We use hoops to keep them on. We just need to do more training and help him remember, NO JUMPING the contacts!

Also, after reading the newest issue of Clean Run magazine, I'm glad I chose that. For those that have it. There's an article about a study they did on if it is bad for the dog to do 2o2o. In the end, they said that it causes more stress on the joints. I think some dogs just need 2o2o.

 

[HopeShelties]

I'd go back and add criteria to your runnings for Koji. He is probably hitting the yellow sometimes out of luck... that's just naturally where his stride most often takes him. By going back and adding criteria, he will learn that he is supposed to adjust to always hit the yellow.

 

[k9kreationz]

I'd go back and add criteria to your runnings for Koji. He is probably hitting the yellow sometimes out of luck... that's just naturally where his stride most often takes him. By going back and adding criteria, he will learn that he is supposed to adjust to always hit the yellow.

I'd agree that his stride was naturally taking him at least halfway into the yellow. I think I'd like to work with the hoop thingy's. Funny, my instructor had me working with him on hitting yellow zones, by using a yellow towel, worked great. Only to find out at my NADAC trial (and any others with that group), their equipment don't have "yellow zones". There's only a thin yellow line that shows where the zone starts.

I start class up next week again. I'll be sure to discuss with my trainer on how to make sure he knows he needs to hit the yellow. I guess I was just lucky? lol.

 

[HopeShelties]

Here's a really good method
http://silvia.trkman.net/cone.htm

This is what I'm using for Kai and Caleb (Kai was about 80% accurate before starting, Caleb is demotivated by 2o2o). I'm also teaching it to my young ones.. My youngest, who has learned no other way, is really getting it well. I can visibly see her adjust her stride to make sure she hits the end contact.