Distance Handling 101 - Foundation Skills: Episode #9 - The Two Bowl Game

In this episode: We are working on a new foundation game that can be done with any age of dog, including puppies, as a fun preparation for later agility skills.
The idea for this game is that the dog moves between two targets without prompting from the handler and receives a reward. At this stage it is a very simple back and forth game, that builds confidence in the dog and gets them working with the handler. It teaches independence and encourages them to experiment with behaviours to see what works.
Once this game is taught it becomes one dogs love to repeat over and over as it is high value with lots of rewards.
You could use a portion of your dog's daily good allowance for this game if you are concerned about the amount of treats they will be eating, but I never have my dogs working for their full meals. If I am using a lot of treats, I will just reduce the amount I feed at meal times by a fraction.
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sophiejackson2021
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Dog agility is a fast growing sport involving the dog negotiating a series of obstacles. Traditionally, handlers have endeavoured to run with their dogs around a course. However, with courses becoming bigger, it is increasingly vital to teach distance handling for dog agility. While some handlers may have physical limitations that mean they cannot run with their dogs, even handlers that are fit and able will need distance handling skills. These skills include - obstacle independence - ability to respond to verbal as well as physical cues - great drive and focus forward However, distance handling can often seem daunting to those who have never tried it. In this new series, I am going to explore the foundations for great distance handling. You will learn the key training techniques, exercises to build drive and independence and develop your skills as a distance handler.
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About me! I am a force free dog trainer living in the United Kingdom. I have trained with a variety of dogs and currently own Shelties and working cockers or cocker crosses. I have competed in agility since 2013 and have qualified for various regional and national finals. Due to ill health, I had to transition from being a running agility handler to a distance handler in 2021. Since then I have become passionate about encouraging handlers of all abilities to enjoy this sport with their dogs. My channel is dedicated to sharing my love of dogs and dog training. I believe dog training should be taught in a fun, cooperative manner. Welcome and I hope you enjoy my videos!