Applied Directionals: The use of Left and Right
Hi all,
Time and time again, the question of directionals comes up in the discussions. So I am opening the topic of Directionals: the use of Left and Right. Below is the text of my article on this subject that appeard in the Clean Run magazine ("Ask the Experts" column):
I personally love directionals and would recommend teaching Left and Right to your Agility dog. You can successfully run a dog using just Come and Go commands, but it reminds me of driving a car without power steering. Left and Right cues will also make your dog’s job much easier. Knowing which direction he is going next, your dog will be free to concentrate on obstacle performance, he will jump better and negotiate the course faster and safer.
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Please don’t be intimidated by the task of using Left and Right correctly while running the course. It is not rocket science. It’s no different then using obstacle names. Sure, sometimes we all make silly mistakes and call an A-Frame “Weaveâ€, or a Tunnel “Tireâ€, etc., but with practice verbal commands get easier to deliver on time. Since directionals are *absolute* positions - it's the dog's left and right, regardless of where the handler may be – you will not have to think on your feet and give your dog Left’s and Right’s over sudden in the middle of the run. Just as you prepare your verbal and body cue sequence during a walkthrough, you will add Left and Right directionals where needed. For example, the course starts with two jumps followed by a right turn to a third jump (while there is another jump straight ahead) and then the dog has to make a left and take a tunnel. Your verbal cue sequence would be: Come-Jump! Jump-Right! Jump-Left! Tunnel. See, it’s not that hard.
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Dogs love learning Left and Right. It’s a great game for them. Teaching directionals has no downside, if you decide you absolutely don’t want to use them, there is no harm done. You just had a good time with your dog teaching him a mind stimulating game. Although I’d bet by the time your dog learns Left and Right using them would feel like second nature to you.
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The most common and easiest way to teach Left and Right is to train your dog to spin. You can do it by asking the dog to follow a cookie or a toy in your hand. Just start with one direction and fade the lure once the dog gets the idea that he is getting paid for spinning around. When the dog is proficient in spinning, say to the left, and doesn’t require a lure, name it “Left!â€. Teach the other directional the same way and then introduce the fun game of spinning in the correct direction on voice command. Now it’s time to add the obstacles. I start with a tunnel. Shape a tunnel in a semicircle and put your dog in the middle facing the tunnel and play the game of Right-Tunnel! Left-Tunnel! It’s a ton of fun and you don’t have to worry about bars. Next tackle directionals at a jump. Use the same principle and teach you dog that there could be a direction change before and/or after the jump.
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Happy turns!
Olga is a popular Agility author and instructor from Los Angeles, CA. Olga handles ADCH Space and ADCH Luz, both are the dogs with great many achievements. Contact Olga at BCRocketScientist@earthlink.net
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Re: Applied Directionals: The use of Left and Right
Olga---I agree with you 100% on the directionals. Daisy and I never would have accomplished as much as we have without them. Good tips for training, which I will use with Emmy. So far I had only used a low jump.
Kari
Re: Applied Directionals: The use of Left and Right
Re: Applied Directionals: The use of Left and Right