Unleashing the Velcro Dog - Training Your Agility Dog to Love Working at a Distance
The name Jane Simmons-Moake is virtually synonymous with agility training as is her legendary FlashPaws Training Center. A former member of the U.S. World Championship Agility Team, she possesses credentials that speak for themselves. Her latest offering is a treasure trove of tricks and techniques to perfect your dog s distance work. Most dogs love agility, and with a little training, almost any dog can manage a respectable performance. Creating a superstar is another story. As the old saying goes, the devil is in the details.Simmons-Moake points out that distance handling is required for a few classes, but that s the exception rather than the rule. On the other hand, it can provide a decisive competitive advantage on almost any course. It alleviates the problem of handlers trying to keep pace with their dogs one of the most common reasons for slow times. It also allows far more creative ring strategy, something that isn t possible if your dog will only run or take direction when you are three inches away. She also presents some great homemade training tools. In addition to being clever, they are simple and economical to make. I immediately thought of millions of other training situations where they would prove quite handy.Although she stresses the importance of foundation training, she has plenty of advice on revising bad habits and teaching reluctant dogs to work ahead of their handlers.Abundant photos, diagrams, and notations accompany each chapter. Beginning with the tunnel, she gives step-by-step instructions on sending a dog to each obstacle from any angle. This material may not be easily accessible to novices, but it s an excellent reference for serious competitors. And that s precisely how the book is designed, with plenty of room in the margins for notes and a sturdy binding that will stand up to years of rereading. --Dog World Magazine, July 2008