Robert, would you be so kind as to post the tips about the A frame? I would like to hear them. And from anyone else who has tips. My schutzhund club doesn't go over the safety stuff too often, mainly puppy precautions, so I am really working in the dark.

So, from everyone's posts, I am going to postulate this as a starting place for beginning dogs:

Start with the warm up. Use the calvecetti to teach stride, rhythm, and confidence; handler's emphasis should be on fliud motion, a balance between horizontal and vertical propulsion, and a proper approach to the jump (ie. not rushing), taught by showing the dog how to size up distances. Make sure the calvecetti are spaced according to the dog's natural stride. Also make sure there is enough room behind the jump for the dog to properly slow their forward momentum. Then, when stride and balance have been mastered on a series of calvacetti, and the dog is approaching them with confidence, then it is time to move to the jump proper. The techniques learned with the calvacetti should carry over. Jump low and (I will say ) varied heights to keep it interesting, and teach the dog to think before they leap. Full regulation height occasionally. End with cool down.

Sound about right? Anything I need to add? Anyone have any books to recommend? 'Training the jumps' is on the xmas list, but then again, so is a lot of other dog stuff. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

There should be lots of agility books at the library or book store. Relax and don't try so hard. It's no big deal with most dogs. Now if I could only teach my otherwise wonder dog how to swim. :rolleyes: <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> he did great at 12wk. Now he tries to walk on the bottom with his back feet. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Stephan, Thank you very much.You have opened my mind..in utilizing..ground poles in a trot..and spacing them farther apart to extend the trot at the right time..creating fluid movement...never hitting one pole.Within that..you have stretching..and you can see the full potential anatomically(spelling??)..mmm...head down in proceeding forward in a trot..rounds back..and creates impulsion... a tracking up..and stretching as well.Generally speaking..horses do not like to back because they are vulnerable...etc I have used this many times as a training measure...on the ground.I wonder if this also could be utilized for certain dogs with "Issues".

You're welcome. I got interested in using the cavaletti as part of training former track greys better ways to use their bodies.

When they come off the track they typically are sprinters with no distance endurance; are tremendously fit and powerful, but have little flexibility; have only ever been exposed to flat tracks and turns in one direction.

So, yeah, they have quite a few issuses if they aren't gonna get hurt in the field -- especially the dogs with racing weights over 75-80+ lbs.

But the same things seem to work pretty well for dogs who've become fearful of jumping because they were rushed, weren't strong enough, or are just plain clumsy.

I just wish they were all as nimble as Tig, or the little cur dog my kids have. She balances on her hind legs on top of the jumps to look over the fence. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Stephan,Jumping would fall under "Agility" ?? You I never thought about doing that with my dogs.Two of my pups,I started them very young at climbing up a ramp to the top of a kennel..and down the other side.Then onto jumping off.Now I have fun seeing how far they can jump from one kennel to the next..spread the distance of course slowly. In ref to you greys..the same problem arises with racehorses...so I understand. Utilizing the very simple tool of lunging on a long lead..clockwise and counter clockwise is great!!! A wonderful warming up..and also to teach flexability and strengthen as the individual has to use more footage/ligaments etc etc to do so.Lunging in a circle over cavelettis would be an upstep of training.Careful consideration must be given as to the distance between cavellettis etc.

Sorry, I lost track of this thread.

The tips I have are using contact points, but you seemt to be on top of that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Contact points??? :rolleyes:

Yes, contact points.

A contact point is a place on the A frame (or anywhere) that the dog must touch in order to complete the exercise. In Sch, a dog must do the retrieve over the A frame and back again. If you have a high drive dog, the possibility that they will jump from the apex of the A frame is very real, and once they start, it is a pain to train them out of it (why walk when you can run, why run when you can FLY <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ). And of course, this can be damaging to the joints.
So what you do is teach a contact point on the A frame from the get go. You start by teaching the contact point first, with the A frame in the lowest position, and the contact point at the end of the frame. You can use a piece of fabric, I will use a hoop (I think). When they go over the frame and touch the contact point (or go through the hoop) mark the behavior and reward. When they are doing it consistantly, raise the frame and repeat. The idea is they must touch the bottom of the frame in order to touch the contact point, so the possibilty of leaping is eliminated.

It is a great idea, and it is all done motivationally, so you won't screw up the retrieve, when it is added later.

BTW, the graemlin you posted has a connotive meaning of sarcasm. I don't think that is what you meant, right? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />