Each Gold student can choose an additional behavior that they would like to learn how to train or get coaching on. Handler choice behaviors can be included in your vids for any week.

Wk 1:

Target stick use in advanced skills

Starting back circles

Training distance as a concept

Wk 2:

Back circles - adding the cue and removing props

Transitional target stick skills

Backing to distance behaviors

Wk 3:

Starting turn back thru

Continue back circles on other side - adding the cue, removing props

Wk 4:

Turn back thru - adding the turn, adding the cue, removing props

Wk 5:

Starting Back weaves - options in training

Wk 6:

Back weaves - adding the cue, removing props

Back Figure 8's

WK 5: BACK THRU

POSTED IN RA512 LECTURES

Back weaves have most commonly been taught using lure/reward and turning the dog’s head out, then “pushing” the food on the dog’s nose back thru the legs. Having the food do the work, means the dog doesn’t have to be thoughtful about the behavior or about how to earn that food. We'll be using skills the dog already has been taught to create a better understanding of the mechanics of the skill.

Below is a vid clip of a back thru.

There are a couple of different ways The back thu or back weave can be performed. It can be performed as a stationary skill (which is how I train it to start) or it can be performed as a moving skill as it is performed for Rally-FrEe. In Rally-FrEe it is sign #58 “back thru moving x 3”, and is performed with the handler leaving the start position, stepping back then leaving the foot there behind for the next rep, rather than bringing the foot forward again. This changes the handler’s balance and when performing it this way you’ll need to experiment with your weight shift to your back leg. Below is Cassandra Hartman and her dog Davis showing the 2 different handler variations.

There are a couple of different ways to train this. To me, the easiest is to take cued behaviors the dog already understands and combine them to create the new behavior. There is some use of the training gates to help guide the dog initially, but they aren’t needed for long.

We'll be using skills you've been working on in class to create this new behavior. If your dog understands how to back around you from both the left and the right, and your dog has understanding of your left and right side heel cues, then teaching a back weave can go fairly quickly. If your dog does not have these foundation skills for this behavior, or does not yet understand the mechanics of training the turn back thru, then you may want to focus on those before starting your back weaves. In the end it will save you time and create a stronger behavior.

If your dog understands your left and right position cues and your CW and CCW back circle cues, then you need only to add one more criteria: thru my leg.

Start with your gates in a circle or square configuration and warm up with your back circle from both left and right sides. After a couple of successful reps, step back and give your back circle cue. As soon as your dog’s rear swings behind you and starts to pass thru, C/T. He may pull forward. Give the treat anyway, but on the next rep hold your click a little longer until he is farther thru your legs.

Once thru your legs, he could end up in a couple of places. Either, turning his head into you and ending up in a side position next to you facing forward, or with his rear facing forward as if continuing a back circle. Either way, place the treat next to your leg in a place where his head would be if he chose to come into a position facing forward.

After several of successful reps, start giving your right or left heel position cues as your dog goes thru. Give your position cue at the point where you would have clicked him starting to pass through. Now rather than clicking for going thru, click for coming into position and do a little fast food there.

Once the back weave is predictable and the dog is coming into position you’ll want to transfer to the new back thru cue. To transfer to the new back weave cue ( I use “swing”), insert it either just before putting your leg back (as he is likely to offer on that cue), or just before giving your back circle cue. I also give the position cue to remind the dog to come into position after going thru, as they will need to put some effort into changing the direction of their momentum to do so.

Below are a couple of clips of dogs getting started with the back thru. The first is of Kashi and you’ll see how the gates are a cue for her to circle back around me. I have to work to get her to stop. This is a benefit when teaching the back weaves as it guarantees a strong desire to do the back circle in spite of the obstacle of my leg stepping back. You’ll also see me fumble a bit with balance. It can help to do this near something you can hold onto if you have balance issues. Once you both get a bit better at it, you aren’t likely to need any aid.

Notice how above, Sharon uses her food to keep Finn in position until she gets her balance.

You can also use the target stick exercise you’ve been practicing. With the gates in a square or an alley, and your dog next to you, step back and then use your target stick to turn the dog’s head out away from you and then give your back cue or swing the target out and back behind you. Click as he goes thru, and place the treat to encourage him to move to heel positon to get it. Repeat on the opposite side.

After several successful reps, start to give your positon cue. C/T the dog coming into position. Then you can start to add your new cue, just before the presentation of your target stick. Hold your click until the dog passes thru, then give your positon cue and C/T. FF in position. You’ll be able to drop the position cue as the dog will start to anticipate it. Don’t be in a hurry though. Maintaining the position cue isn’t a problem.