Training Tuesday: Three Backyard Back Side and Threadle Practice Sequences

Tips from the AgilityNerd

This article originally appeared on Steve Schwarz's AgilityNerd blog. Reprinted here with permission. 

I set up four jumps in an elongated box layout in my yard to work on Back Sides and Threadles. I created three sequences because Snap! and I need to work on him taking the jump on a back side slice while I’m moving fast away from the jump he is taking. Also, threadle slices when I’m on the take off side of the jump and threadle wraps when I’m past the plan of the jump. There is always something to work on!!

Here are the jump setups in feet (40’ x 70’) and meters (12m x 21m):

Setup in feet

Setup in meters

Sequences

The spacing in the diagrams is approximate, so feel free to shrink or grow the layout to match your space.

When you work on these sequences don’t forget that back sides can be handled as a threadle and vice versa. So there are a LOT OF WAYS to handle these sequences (see the first sequence where I show two dog paths for just the first three obstacles). I’ve written some articles to help you get the most out of any course you setup in my Backyard Mastery articles.

About Steve Schwarz

Steve Schwarz has been training and competing in agility and flyball since 1997. He focuses on helping handlers improve their communication with their dogs on course in a positive and light-hearted manner. Steve brings an analytical approach from his engineering background to the study and training of agility. In order to stay knowledgeable about current agility training techniques, Steve trains regularly with top agility handlers and attends multiple dog and agility training seminars each year. Steve competes in USDAA, AKC, UKI, and CPE venues and has competed in NADAC and UKC. Steve also writes the longest running dog agility blog, AgilityNerd, with regular articles and videos on agility training, handling, and course analysis.