Verbal Cue: Jump
Visual Cue: Hand and body moving in the direction of the jump
Criteria: Dog clears the jump
Behavior Pyramid:
- Lay your jump bar on the ground between poles that will eventually hold the bar.
- Walk over the jump bar with your dog and say ‘jump’ as your dog jumps over the bar.
- Repeat 5 times with your dog on your right side and on your left side.
- Keep bar on the ground.
- Walk with your dog toward the jump. This time you remain on the outside of the poles while your dog steps over the bar. Repeat 5 times on your right side and on your left side.
- Raise the bar to 4 inches. Repeat step 5.
- Slowly increase the bar to your dogs jump height.
- Review http://www.affordableagility.com/misc/heights.htm to determine your dogs jump height.
Note: Jump heights are regulated for your dogs’ physical safety. Your dog might be able to jump higher but do not push them as this could be physically damaging to your dog.
The biggest mistake I see handlers’ making with their dog during agility is that they expect too much to fast from their dog. If you push your dog too quickly your dog may learn bad habits and creating incorrect muscle memory that will be harder to change the more you practice the inappropriate way. Take your time and have fun.
