10 Tips to Training The Chute!
1) If you can easily remove the fabric portion of the chute from the barrel, start training with just the hard tunnel, otherwise roll up the chute until it is at the edge of the barrel (some chutes have varying length fabric portions, use the shortest length you have available to start). Have the dog get used to running through the barrel by sending him through with the command you plan to use.
2) Some people prefer to use a “Chute” command for the chute and a “Tunnel” command for the open pipe tunnel. The preference is in case there is a call off on a course at some point, or you need to send your dog to one obstacle or the other. This is mostly a matter of preference; you may use “Tunnel” for both the chute and the tunnel, or you can differentiate between the obstacles.
3) Start to slowly unfurl the fabric portion of the chute, but continue to hold it open as the dog runs through. It is best to have a training partner for this so that you can send the dog through from the entrance and your partner is holding the chute open at the other end.
4) When the dog is running the length of the chute with it open, start to gently drop the very end of the fabric onto the dog just as the dog is existing the tunnel.
5) Start to drop the fabric onto the dog a little earlier each time, perhaps a foot before the end, then two feet before the end, etc. Judge your dog’s comfort with having the chute released and don’t forget to give lots of praise when he/she exits the chute.
6) Once the obstacle is understood by the dog, start placing it in short sequences.
7) Work on sending the dog to the entrance of the chute from different angles
8) When you are running courses with a chute, make sure as you plan your handling strategy that you consider the dog’s angle entering the chute and the angle at which he is likely to exit — make sure your path won’t cross your dog’s path leading to a collision!
9) Your dog can’t see you while he/she is in the chute; don’t forget to call your dog early so he/she can orient to the direction of your voice prior to exiting.
10) HAVE FUN!
By Anna Houser
http://ezinearticles.com/?Dog-Agility-Training-For-Tunnels-and-Chutes&id=1983719 (more info)
(i know nothing on the subject but found this article)
Just Jumpers though. Trust me, like everyone said, I am NOT pushing Koji and his contacts.
I'm sure he can get another. Koji on the other hand.....may not.