Dogs have taught us more than 100 rules, that most of them naturally follow. As a part of this course, we’ll share many of these rules with you! Below you'll find some rules that Janita referred to in her analysis for course 1, as well as the in the training session with the demo dogs.

Most dogs aim to the same level as the handler

Handler’s position on the course gives important information to the dog. When the handler is ahead of the dog, the dog aims to where the handler is. When the dog should jump in extension, the handler should be further behind the obstacle than when collection is needed.

 

Dogs’ rule for turning back from a tunnel

If the handler is behind a curved tunnel, at least 3ft / 1m behind the tunnel entrance when the dog enters the tunnel, the dog will turn to the backside of the tunnel after exiting, to the side where the handler is. If the handler doesn’t make it past that 3ft / 1m mark before the dog enters the tunnel, the dog will turn to the side of the curve after exiting. Knowing these rules make it easier for you to choose your position according to what you want to happen.

 

A dog can only turn to the side of his leading leg

To be able to turn right he needs to have his right leg leading, and to turn left, the left leg needs to be leading. If the dog needs to turn left from being in the right lead, he needs to perform a lead change.

 

There are three main ways the dog chooses the lead leg in agility course:

1. Dogs are naturally always preparing to turn towards the handler. Based on this they prefer to choose the handler's side leg to lead.
2. The dog chooses the lead leg based on the direction of the turn he needs to do. If the dog’s path turns to the left, the left leg is leading. If the dog turns to the right, the right leg is leading.
3. The dog chooses the lead leg to be able to perform the obstacle. A curved tunnel is a great example of this: to be able to turn in a curved tunnel, the dog needs to have the leg of the inside curve leading.

 

Dogs prefer to choose obstacles that they can see at the same time as they see the handler

Dogs are always preparing to turn towards the handler on the course, and that’s why the obstacles that are close to the handler are the most logical choice for them. Learn to choose your positions so that your dog can see you at the same time as he sees the correct obstacle.

 

Dogs naturally move on parallel lines with us

Whenever possible, choose a running line that is parallel with the line you want your dog to take. This means planning your own running lines on a course as straight lines, that support your dog’s commitment to obstacles. The distance between your running line and your dog’s running line can vary: you can support your dog’s movement on the course also from further away, just choosing your direction of motion according to the line you want your dog to take.

 

You can commit your dog to an obstacle by moving on a parallel line with him, or taking a step and sending your dog

When you are moving in the same direction with your dog, commitment happens without any extra effort from your part: your motion parallel to your dog’s is enough to commit him.

When you are laterally further away from your dog, and / or need to start moving to a different direction than your dog after commitment, taking a step towards the takeoff (or entry) of an obstacle will commit your dog.

 

Your dog needs to see you to be able to react to your handling

When you do a handling technique or give a handling cue, you need to be sure your dog can see your handling: do your handling for your dog.

 

Dogs naturally react to changes in our motion

When you accelerate, your dog will accelerate, and when you slow down and stop, your dog will do the same. The same applies, whether you are running or just walking: motion is still motion.

 

After exiting a tunnel, your dog will look for you based on where you were and how and where you were moving before he entered the tunnel.