Training Fido to perform the agility pause table

Although the pause table seems to be a very easy obstacle to perform, it is not. The pause table is probably the one obstacle where the most time is lost during a course run. The table is included on a course to demonstrate that an agility dog can not only run fast and perform spectacular obstacles, but that he can also be controlled in a stay position at a certain place.
Here follows a few reasons for the poor table performance of an agility dog:

• Handlers tend to think it is an easy obstacle to perform and therefor it is not practised enough.
• Handlers find it boring and unintencially carry that over to the dog.
• It is not taught correctly and thoroughly to the dog.

How to teach the pause table to the dog:

Wherever possible I always break the commands down to the simplest forms and then, once the dog can reliably perform each segment correctly and fast, chain it back up together. The table command is no different. Your ultimate aim with the table command is that you should be able to send the dog to the table from anywhere on the course, the dog should jump on the table and immediately go into the down or sit position (whatever is required by the judge) and remain in that position until released. In other words you can break the table performance into the following four things:

1. Send to the table – the dog runs enthuciastically to the table and jump onto the table
2. Fast sit or down – the dog performs an immediate fast sit or down on command
3. Secure stay – the dog performs a secure stay, not moving from that position
4. Release – the dog performs a fast release and immediately following your hand and body to perform the next obstacle

(Visit the above links for an in debth, step by step description on how to train each of those steps)

Chaining the commands together

Your dog is now ready and you can start putting things together again. I would suggest that you use back chaining, but you actually start in the middle. Take your dog to the course where you must have three obstacles arranged in a triangle. You can have a jump, the table and the tunnel. Let your dog jump on the table and let him sit or down on the table. Give the stay command, move away to the tunnel with your hand outstretched, wait a few seconds and release. Click as he jumps off, let him run through the tunnel and give a treat. Repeat many times. Sometimes you should wait at the jump.

At another training session you should send the dog to the table and as he jumps on, give the sit or down command. Click and treat if he responds. Also give the stay command. Click and treat him on the table as he stays there. You have now reduced the four steps into two steps. Now at last you can combine these two steps to have only one flowing sequence. If your dog experience difficulty in grasping this whole sequence, you should back up a few steps and progress slower. Following these step by step guidelines of training your dog to perform the pause table, you will end up with a very reliable and confident dog knowing exactly what is expected of him.

Three Happy Beardies

My Bearded Collie, Ami looks very happy as she runs on the beach. I know that most Beardies love water and running. Ami just cannot get enough. This pic is very special to me, showing herself, her shadow and her reflection. Fortunately I had my camera with me!

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How To Be your Own Vet

How To Be your Own Vet - in an emergency!

How To Be your Own Vet is your home guide to learn how to care for your dog and treat his health conditions naturally. Do you know how to save your dog's life in an emergency? Would you like to save thousands of dollars in vet bills?

Find out how the amazing story of Derby's brush with death can teach you what you need to know about your own dog's health.

Learn more about How to be your own vet

How to do Agility Training at Home

Dog agility is one of the most spectacular dog sports around and handlers, dogs and spectators all love the game of agility and dog jumping. If you have a agile dog or if you just love to be out and do something with your dog, you should consider joining a dog training school where they also offer agility training classes. Most dog training schools do not just do dog obedience training, but also offer puppy classes, agility and dog jumping classes, tracking classes and much more.

If you just want to do the training at home or even if you have joined a dog training school, you might want to make or buy dog agility training equipment. Most of the obstacles are easy to make yourself from PVC pipe, like the jumps and the weave poles. Other equipment like the tunnel and the see-saw are easier to buy, unless of cause if you are very handy! The most important thing is, that the agility equipment that you use, should be safe for the dog to perform. Your dog's safety should always be your first concern. One piece of equipment that is easy to construct is an agility training ladder. You can always just use the normal ladder you have in your garage. This is used to teach the dog that it has hind feet. He must just be trained to step in the gaps and not on the ladder. It also helps with teaching him balance.

6 Home agility training tips for dogs:

1. Work a lot on his basic obedience commands, like stays, recall and fast sits and downs.
2. Do a lot of ground work, like following your hand, directions and speed.
3. Practice only short sequences at home (at most 4-5 obstacles)
4. Keep training sessions short and fun.
5. NO punishment, only praise!
6. Do to agility training for small dogs, you can make use of a target stick, especially when training the weave poles.

The most important tip, whether you train at home or at dog training school:
The dog is NEVER wrong - if he missed a jump, ask yourself "What did I do wrong?"

Happy Training!