Training Tuesday: Timing on the Agility Course
Late again on your cues? Find out how to improve your timing.
This Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast is used with permission of the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, an online school dedicated to providing high-quality instruction for competitive dog sports using only the most current and progressive training methods.
This podcast focuses on timing on the agility course. Here's what "good timing" looks like to agility champ and trainer Loretta Mohler: "Good timing ... looks smooth. It's as if the dog and handler are sharing the same brain, basically. The dog never has to ask 'what' or 'how,' because the information is presented to them right when it's needed. ... (The) dog never turns to look at the handler and wonder what they should be doing. Turns are cued early enough so the dog can respond as the course changes. It's predictable, it's relaxing to watch, fluid, a thing of beauty. ... (It) looks like the dog has been reading the map with you, the dog did the walkthrough with you, and the dog knows the location of every obstacle. That's the goal."
Listen to the complete podcast for Loretta's advice on how to achieve this goal. The transcript is also available on the podcast website.
About Loretta Mohler
Loretta Mohler has been involved in agility since 2003 with her first rescue dog, Ace. Since then she has earned ADCHs with four border collies — Zip (retired due to back injury), Klink, Gator (achieving his ADCH at the age of 2.5 years), Lynn and Gig. Lynn was 2013 Central Regional Grand Prix 22” Champion, as well as being a steeplechase and Grand Prix semi-finalist. Gig is just starting her career!
Loretta and her dogs are no strangers to the finals at USDAA World Championships. Since attending her first nationals in 2008, she has competed with one or both dogs in each of the subsequent finals. At the 2012 USDAA World Championships, she had two dogs in EACH of the three finals, Grand Prix, steeplechase and DAM tournament.
In addition to working with her border collies, Loretta was the trainer for the famous little Jack Russell terrier Crackers. Crackers has been on IFCS and WAO teams since he was 2 years old. Sadly, he had to be retired due to an autoimmune issue.
In 2014, Loretta was chosen to be the assistant coach for the IFCS World Team, which competed in the Netherlands. The team was very successful in this competition with many medals won. After their success, she was asked to be Head Coach of the WAO World Team (USA). She has been head coach now for the last four years. Again she has helped the team be successful, with many medals won.