Jason Shipley Webboard User Reg: 05-13-2005
Posts: 220
Loc: northern Illinois
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I've been training my dog up at Top's obstacle course and was wondering if anyone was the same kind of thing with their dog. Top's teaches the dogs to move over the obstacle in a very controlled manner teaching them to be aware of both front and rear foot placement, lots of stand-stay's while on the obstacle to promote balance. The course was designed by Alex Rothacker to train PSD's and has been constantly added to as handlers in the field came across new situations that scared their dog, new obstacle have been added to simulate the problems.
I am linking pictures of my dog Alex and a friends dog Lector working on level one, you can find them in the folder marked 2005-08-23.
melissa mims Webboard User Reg: 05-05-2004
Posts: 218
Loc: my room, usa
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LOVE LOVE love the training facility at TOPS, esp that course; wish the training philosophy was more in tune with mine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
If I could just bring my dog there and work on her myself on the course, you bet you would see me every day. It is a great confidence builder, and excellent way to get you dog to learn to slow down on different surfaces, and not panic.
Have you seen any dog do the highest level course? I saw a picture once, the owners(?) dog with a glass on its snout walking a tightrope. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />
Too bad, my dog would really benefit from this level of trainng and distraction.
However, your dog looked great! Good prep work for SAR.
Relation is reciprocity. How we are educated by children, by animals!-Martin Buber
Diana Matusik Webboard User Reg: 04-27-2004
Posts: 456
Loc: Central FL
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Are there any more photos/info around about the obstacle course? I went to Tops' website and googled but couldn't find any more photos and not much equipment description. I'd love to see more examples/read more info about the equipment in their course.
The obstacles look very simialr to the kind we use in USAR work. We do not want the dogs flying across the stuff, but being controlled, placing their feet and listening for direction. They must also be able to stop and turnaround on an obstacle. It is a great confidence builder for the dog and handler.
Jason Shipley Webboard User Reg: 05-13-2005
Posts: 220
Loc: northern Illinois
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Melissa,
I understand your reservation about Top's training methods, I've been training there for almost three years, and I took my first dog thru their entire obedience program. My second dog I wanted more drive out of. I trained more in line with Ed's method and brought him to tops advanced class for proofing. Top's has a kind of old school reputation of being too tough on their dog's but if you use them as part of a whole training program I think they have their place. There are also a number of good young trainers that are much more progressive in their training methods that are affecting their training philosophy. Talk to them if you want to work your dog on their equipment they will work with you and your dog in a way that you are comfortable with.
All
Alex, my dog is currently enrolled in a class that will do levels 2&3, we are almost done with 2 but the day we took pictures 2&3 were closed I will post more pics in the next few weeks and try to get all the obstacles posted.
Diana Matusik Webboard User Reg: 04-27-2004
Posts: 456
Loc: Central FL
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Samantha, thanks for the info <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> When I get a dog I want to take it through obstacle training in the method you describe, not the sport agility manner.
Jason, looking forward to viewing more photos of the course <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Jason Shipley Webboard User Reg: 05-13-2005
Posts: 220
Loc: northern Illinois
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I have posted pic's of most of level 2 on my yahoo account. Pictured is the instructor John and his dog Vox. I got most of the obstacles pictured but not everything. My dog has passed all of level 2, unfortunetly we ran out of class time and were not able to get thru all of level 3. click here and go to the album labeled 2005-09-27
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Obstacle training - not sport agility
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