| SAFETY ISSUES IN CONTACT TRAINING: Early training on contact obstacles should be done on lower equipment to make the exercise safer and easier for the dog. Training a contact obstacle with a dog on lead can unbalance the dog, causing them to lose their footing. Leads can also get caught on equipment and should only be used when necessary and with extreme caution. Obstacles with tunnels underneath must be trained. A dog with no experience of a handler working at a lateral distance will often jump off the obstacle if the handler changes lines dramatically to go around a tunnel. Lower equipment is recommended when commencing this training. Water on contact obstacles, in the form of dew or rain, can make them slippery and potentially dangerous. A straight approach to contact obstacles is always the safest, however training a dog to approach the contacts from a variety of angles is very important. Training aids help to make angled approaches safer and easier for the dog. THE DIFFERENT METHODS OF TRAINING CONTACTS: 2 on 2 off – The dog takes the obstacle (preferably at speed) and stops at the end with the front 2 feet on the ground & the back 2 feet still on the obstacle & waits for a release command. Drop on Contact – The dog performs the obstacle and drops on the contact zone, preferably without needing the “drop” command and waits until released. Food Targeting – The dog is conditioned to stop at the end of an obstacle to check for a treat – which is usually there in training. Other targeting – The dog is taught to “touch” with nose or paw, something on the contact or the contact itself. Stop on command – The dog proceeds across the obstacle until the handler gives the command to stop (on the contact zone) and then releases. Running Contacts – The dog runs at full speed across a contact obstacle and hits the both the up and down contact zones. This is achieved by using targeting as well as the dog’s natural stride. Creeping down – The dog descends the down contact at a “creep” until the handler gives a release command. Pretend to place a treat – This method is often used as a short-term solution & involves the handler pretending to place a treat on the contact zone, often with a verbal cue. It is different to Food Targeting where the dog is taught to check just in case because the dog actually believes the food is there. Run & hope for the best – what most of us start out doing with our 1st agility dog. |