In our first proper training session this year, it was no great surprise that Jake’s contacts had gone to pot. He was so happy to be at agility again that he was tanking round – and launching himself off the A frame & dog walk before any paws touch the contact points. It’s my fault – we used to have steady, reliable contacts – until we sped up. And now, because we never cemented our contacts at the very start, Jake takes a flying leap OFF the dog walk or the A-frame.
2o2o is agility jargon for “two on, two off.” That’s the style we learn at our agility lessons & it also suits us – I’ve worked out a training plan I could carry out at home, on walks, day in day out. (The alternative is “running contacts.“)
The plan for Jake’s contacts is a bit off the wall but we’re working with what we’ve got.
I started on our stairs. I’ve been click-treating Jake for when he stops with his back paws on the bottom stair, practising in blocks of 10 repetitions. He gets the treat with the release command “go” – & I throw it forward so that the end of the behaviour is a surge forward away from the 2o2o to get the treat.
I’ve been increasing the length of time he spends 2o2o before I click and give the release command. The next stage has been to take it outside (think steps, ramps … and agility equipment). This week we started playing the 2o2o game outside, on flights of stone steps we pass on our walks. Jake is good at generalising to other places, so he very quickly understood what was required. And result! There was a marked improvement at this week’s agility class.
Hi Jake! Lots of doggies in my agilities class have problems with contacts. I use the running contact method at it works well for me. Sounds like you're mommy's been training you well!AbbyThe J.A.Z. Pack
Sounds like a good idea for training to me
We use a 4 on the floor – lie down just after the contact so they have to drive all the way down and if you release quick then you get a running contactThats the plan anyway!!Ben is OK ish does jump them sometimesMia is too smart for her own good, as soon as she got the command 'down' to get in her position she launched herself from high up the A-frame and landed in her down positionBeen working at it again and she is much better.Now having to work on both of them going into position with me not close to them – thats the tricky bit 
Are you doing the clear run show in a couple of weeks?? Or Glennifer in march?? Both in the fabby inside venue and no weaves 
(Ben is too fast at the moment and headbuts them so we need to work on that)
I like the idea of 4 on the floor but it seems likely to backfire on us – think Jake would be like Mia. I love the idea of running contacts, but we just don't have the space to set it up easily. After a week of no training (about to post why, things were all over the place this Sunday at training – but we started using a new command and temporarily stopped using the clicker. Much improved, and tonight on the stairs, 14/14 reps spot on 2o2o!