For the next several weeks, we will be sharing our thoughts and training for dogs that are new to the sport. Often, instructors overlook analyses of novice courses in favor of more complex or tricky courses. Watch the video below for a map analysis and run by a true novice dog (not yet showing) followed
Video Analysis
Utilizing the Coach’s Eye, we analyze dog agility videos with slow motion and on screen diagrams.
In this video, we analyze Rosanne DeMascio’s winning 26″ Challenger Round run with Strafe. Our focus is not on her handling choices, but on how Rosanne effortlessly reaches key positions on course by moving on as soon as her dog is committed to a given obstacle or line, allowing her to run a smooth, flowing
Click on the video below for a breakdown of an interesting sequence from Round 1 of the 2014 AKC National Agility Championship.
Would 0.33 seconds be the difference between Gold and Bronze? Between a Q and a placement? Between making the finals and being the first dog eliminated? Agility is often decided by the slimmest of margins, one of the reasons that we now use electronic timing. And in a speed sport, 0.33 seconds matters. Wrap choices
Steve Schwarz over at Agility Nerd has designed a great practice course based on the 2013 IFCS Championship of the Americas Biathlon Jumping course. Sarah and I agreed to analyze the course, run it, analyze our run, and include a link to Steve’s analysis in our post. In his blog, Steve notes that he has
When faced with a choice on course, many dogs will choose to “split the difference”, meaning the dog will head somewhere in between the two choices while they wait for the handler to provide additional information. Dogs that split the difference are trying very hard to be right. Rather than guess wrong, they delay, possibly
In the video below, we apply Greg Derrett’s 3 step method for comparing dog paths on the agility course (as outlined in his DVD On Course to Excel). Take a look at the first four obstacles below–which way will you turn your dog after jump #3? After you’ve decided, watch the video below the course
Body language, both position and motion, are very important parts of the cues you use in dog agility. By creating differences in body language, we can communicate more clearly with our canine partners. Take a look at the video below to see how a small change in handling can lead to a dramatic improvement in
Using the Coach’s Eye, we matched up the 2013 AKC 8″ National Agility Champion Masher against the 26″ National Agility Champion Pace. Their times where separated by 0.786 seconds. Can you predict what made the difference?
