BUD HOUSTON:

HANDLER OR OBSTACLE FOCUS


The dog's focus on course is a balance between focus on the handler, and focus on the obstacles ahead. You can always tell when this focus is out of balance. An overly handler focused dog will run past obstacles giving all of his attention to the handler; an overly obstacle focused dog tend to frequently volunteer the off course.

I think it's a fairly easy program to bring the dog's focus into balance.

Too much obstacle focus

                     

 
                            

 
     

The obstacle focused dog needs a lot of turning work, recall work, and lead-hand work. I'm not sure you really want the dog to check in after each obstacle. If your commands are timely, both directional and obstacle commands, the dog should have to overtly "wait" on your directive for what comes next. You'll have to develop a keen sense of timing.
 

Too much handler focus

 

     

           

 

 

The handler focused dog needs advanced obstacle conditioning, sending/pushing work.

To start teaching an obstacle I use the KISS principal. I teach a "progressive send". Start by teaching the dog to go ahead of you over a jump, and give a treat. Back up a half a step, put the dog over the jump, and treat again. Continue to back up so long as the dog will seek out the jump






               ________________ 1st Start line




            ______________________2nd Start line




             __________________________3rd Start line
 

If you play this game enough you can be sending the dog from one side of the back yard to the other without much difficulty. Do you know how far you should be able to send your dog to jump? [Answer: The length of your back yard. If you have 40 acres... sorry. It's your fault for getting such a big place.). It's important in this game that you do not push to the extent that the dog fails. It becomes a test of the trainer as well.



Bud