Training challenge
Rikupekka Oksanen
AgiNotes Christmas Challenge by Anki Vikström

This AgiNotes Christmas challenge combines different handling techniques and jump technique. It’s also a good setup if you want to train weave entrences and/or exits.

AgiNotes Christmas Challenge by Anki Vikström
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6 things I learned from COVID19 from the perspective of dogs and agility

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6 things I learned from COVID19 from the perspective of dogs and agility

I believe COVID19 has hurt dog agility quite a lot. There have been long periods of time without training and competitions and the world is full of young dogs that haven’t been able to get used to other dogs, different people and situations freely. No, this is not a huge problem if we think about all the people who have died or suffered from a health or financial perspective. However, the problem exists. And I didn’t even mention trainers who have lost their income or agility clubs who have struggled to keep their heads above the water. However, here are 6 things I have learned when struggling with the crisis.

RC DW exercise - sideway distance

RC DW exercise - sideway distance

We came up with this training challenge by accident, when we were training some basic stuff with my friend Suvi Ravi and her sheltie Dippi, without moving any obstacles on a course set by the previous training group. Dippi already knows everything (yes, everything!) so he mastered this ex tempore challenge fluently. And I can tell you, it’s not easy for most. Can you do it?

Training challenge - 6 exercises for obstacle commitment

Training challenge - 6 exercises for obstacle commitment

Here are some exercises for increasing understanding and obstacle commitment in the various ways of taking a jump. The jump is the most common obstacle on agility courses, the training of which is, however, often neglected. Hanne Skjelstad, a wonderful agility handler from Norway, and member of Team AgiNotes, has prepared a set of simple exercises for obstacle commitment. These are great agility exercises for your own backyard or other small space, and all you need is one jump.

Can Early take-off syndrome (ETS) be explained by myopia and sight related challenges - the story of Ulla the border collie

Can Early take-off syndrome (ETS) be explained by myopia and sight related challenges - the story of Ulla the border collie

We all probably know at least one dog that takes off too early for a jump, especially on straight lines and thus, lands on the jump. Or a dog that takes small unsure steps when approaching a jump. This kind of behaviour is called Early Take-Off Syndome (ETS). Can ETS be explained by sight related challenges? Read Ulla's story!

Training challenge: Differentiation between a threadle wrap and a threadle send

Training challenge: Differentiation between a threadle wrap and a threadle send

There’s often discussion on how many verbal cues one needs for a jump. It depends on your goals and handling style what is needed. However, it will definitely help you on the course if the dog can differentiate between a forward jump, a backside, a threadle wrap and a threadle send. In this challenge, you will practise both the latter.

Turn away at a distance challenge by Lisa Schmit

This month’s challenge is to see how far lateral and behind can you turn your dog away from you. Can you stay behind the line and turn your dog away from you? Can you gain more lateral distance? While this exercise may look easy, once you add the distance element, it becomes more challenging.

This is a great exercise to work your turn away at a distance cues. It has been designed by Lisa Schmit a distance expert and agility and fitness coach from In The Zone Agility.

The exercise

The goal of this exercise is to see how much distance you have turning your dog away from you. Try to handle your dog from the right side of the hoops. You can substitute jumps for hoops. At first, start as close as you want and run the sequence. Then try again pushing for more distance. See how far you can get laterally and behind your dog!

turn away challenge dog agility exercise course map lisa schmit aginotes.png

Practice this working both directions by repositioning the tunnel and moving the hoops/jumps to the other side.

If the exercise is too hard, move the line in more. Reward the dog for turning away from you and driving out to the tunnel A LOT!!

If the exercise is too easy, move yourself farther laterally and behind. Video explains some handling options!

Save the exercise to your AgiNotes training list. No time limit for the free version!

Or save the exercise in Finnish

More information about the AgiNotes app.

More training challenges.

Short Bio:

Lisa is the owner of In The Zone, LLC. She is a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer, member of Bobbie Lyon’s K9 Fit Team,Certified Pet Massage Practitioner and a distance expert. She offers agility, conditioning, and massage seminars across the continent as well as online. For more info go to www.inthezoneagility.com.