Expanded Description:
Finally there's a clear-cut method for bridging this gap between training and competition so that you can achieve your ideal contact performance in the ring. This DVD will show you why your two-on/two-off performances are deteriorating. It will also provide a comprehensive training plan for "release work" on the contacts that will allow you to recreate your competition behavior in the training environment so you can fix your areas of weakness. The end result is a contact behavior in competition that is the same as the behavior your dog gives you in training.
But this program is not just for trained dogs; it's a great program to use in your initial contact training so that you avoid problems. If you are starting contact training with a new dog, you can begin the release work on the flat portion of Rachel's training program at the same time that you're training the two-on/two-off position. You can progress to other parts of the release work even before the dog is able to perform the entire contact obstacle.
What reviewers are saying...
APDT CHRONICLE OF THE DOG
“This DVD, while informative, was in my opinion, a wonderful example of the need to manage viewer expectations. The case description asks the question, “Did you teach your dog a fast, accurate, and independent two on/two off contact behavior, only to find it now failing you in the competition ring?” It then goes on to cite a myriad of ways in which two on/two off contacts can, and often do deteriorate. From the description, I was expecting a variety of problem-solving strategies aimed at addressing the most common contact challenges faced by today’s agility exhibitors.
Misguided expectations or perhaps wishful thinking? While I was hoping to watch an expert share her insight as to why seemingly well-trained contacts begin to falter in the ring, how best to address the problem in competition, and most importantly, to find some new and innovative strategies for improving in-the-ring contact accuracy, what I found was a lengthy demonstration of what Sanders believes to be at the root of most two on/two off contact problems: the release.
The bulk of the video focuses on Sanders’ method of teaching the dog to remain in position (until hearing his release word) under any circumstances. She stresses the importance of handlers fully defining their target behavior and knowing exactly what they want their contact performance to look like. She presents a well thought out, methodical training program that specifically addresses the four most common handling maneuvers found in agility (run past, front cross, push past and run, stop, run). Training is further broken down to address each maneuver at a walk, jog and run, and with the dog working on the flat, boarding the obstacle at the end of the down-ramp and eventually with the dog and handler performing the full obstacle at full speed.
Each individual component of this training program is thoroughly explained, demonstrated and recapped—all by Sanders herself. I found this feature to quickly become redundant as I watched repeated demonstrations of each of the four previously mentioned maneuvers shown at three speeds. It was a challenge to not want to fast-forward through some of the demonstration footage, and I found myself wishing that, for at least part of the time,
Sanders’ explanatory lecture could have been voiced over the accompanying demo footage. Sanders addresses several important points to remember when teaching dogs to remain in position until released, such as avoiding compounding a verbal release with body motion, and preventing predictability in training. She offers the APDT-friendly advice of handling the dog’s mistakes by backing up to the level where the dog was last successful.
Near the end of the DVD, she presents a list of contact training dos and don’ts, her method of addressing an incorrect contact performance once she’s certain the dog understands the release word portion of the behavior, her pre-competition warm up, and how she handles incorrect two on/two off contact performances when in the ring. This information was much more in line with my original expectations and I found myself wishing it had been discussed at greater length and earlier on in the DVD.
In closing, while I appreciated the very detailed instruction in the art of proofing the release word, I can’t help but feel that it might have been better represented as a foundational skills video rather than having to do specifically with competition. The information is definitely useful, but at the conclusion, I found myself still searching for answers on how best to handle a dog who demonstrates a solid two on/two off contact performance (with a reliable release word) in training, but not as consistently in a trial setting. I would recommend it to someone early on in their contact training, but worry that, based on title, active exhibitors may, like I was, end up expecting something that’s not entirely there.”
Stephanie Colman
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