Still confused about types of contacts and which one to use

Submitted by Barbara Powell on Fri, 2007-03-16 06:40.

First, could you explain what is a "moving contact" and how it differs from a "running contact". I understand the running contact, but I am confused about what exactly a "moving contact" is.

Second, if I stick with 2 feet on and 2 off, how important is it to retrain my dog to shift his weight back by making him "sit" at the end of the contact. Also, is the shift as important to reteach; if I decide on a quick release.

My biggest concern with switching to running contacts is my ability to handle my dog on the Dog Walk? I can keep up with him on the teeter and A-Frame, but he usually beats me by 5 or 8 feet to the end of the Dog Walk unless I can take a shorter path to the end of it. Would it be too confusing to the dog to only do a running on the Teeter and A-frame?

My feeling is that a quick release would be best considering how much faster my dog is then I am, but would really like to be able to do running contacts.

I know I need to make up my mind and stick with one. I just want to get my MACH point before me and my dog reach 100 (lol).

One last thing, which I have a question about. When I am competing my dog often comes off the A-frame and stands at the bottom waiting for a release instead of on the contact. He doesn't do this in practice. If I stick with the 2on and 2off with a hold, should I then make him sit at the bottom at a show even if he has already come off the A-Frame.

Thanks, Barbara

‹ It's high time to standardize the teeter! usdaa board changes A-frame!!! ›
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Olga Chaiko's picture

Re: Still confused about types of contacts and which one to use

Submitted by Olga Chaiko on Fri, 2007-03-16 18:02.
Barbara,

Please watch the video Contacts Introduction in Lesson 8. It should clear the confusion about RUNNING vs. MOVING contact terminology that I use.

In a nutshell, what you refer to as a RUNNING contact is what I call a MOVING contact. It doesn't really matter what you call them, but we have to agree on certain conventions in order to understand one another, ;-).. In order for the dog to have a RUNNING contact, he must be running, not just quickly moving up and down the ramp. A dog with true running contacts has never been asked to stop at the end. The true RUNNING contact has the dog ACCELERATING on the down ramp. All the other contacts without a stop are MOVING contacts, regardless of how they came to be..

In the limited time that I had to observe you and Chip run and in the light of your goal to finish his MACh title, I would suggest you stick with the Quick Release contacts. Trust me, there are tons of other places on the course for you and Chip to post better times. Let's concentrate on better handling, communication with the dog, have Chip acquire more skills and you'll see the MACh points pile up, ;-)..

Now when Chip doesn't quite perform his 2o2o behavior at the trial and stands waiting at the bottom..

You will have to live with this and all the other deviations from your "dream" contact behavior if you have a deadline on your desired MACh title acquisition, ;-).. Guess, you can't have your cake and eat it too, sorry..

If we'd be talking about a green dog that is just starting or a dog that is not on a deadline of any kind, I'd suggest you work really hard on your contact position and stop and wait before you release the dog, etc.. You know, all the boring stuff that people do in novice and in practice and then throw away once they get to Masters/Ex level? LOL.

Ask the dog to sit on his contacts in practice and in training, that will help him shift his weight back and he'll have a better chance of actually stopping on the AF and not after the AF..

Hope this helps.

Olga.

Re: Still confused about types of contacts and which one to use

Submitted by Barbara Powell on Fri, 2007-03-16 19:24.

Hi Olga,

Thanks for your reply. I had watched the video in lesson 8, but I wasn't understanding what you were saying about running contacts.  Now I do.

 I am going to stick with a 2on and 2off hold (with sit) in practice as you suggested and then use the "quick release" at the shows when it is to my advantage (like I can still breathe or get to the right place in time). 

I  agree that improving my handling  would help the most!!    Believe it or not I have worked a lot on getting Chip to turn tighter, but have alway lost the tight turn when he speeds up over multiple jumps. I have taken private lessons with  two good trainer, but so far no one has been able to help me with it.  I am sure you can, RIGHT!!!  He was great in Novice because I could just stand in the center and send him around the big loops.  Actually, sometimes I think he jumps  too long when going fast because he in 17 3/4 " tall and only has to jump 16" in AKC.  I think, he has never had to learn to gather himself to jump at 16" so he jumps them as if they were spreads when going fast. 

Take heart my handling will improve.  I am trainable (lol).  Barbara

Olga Chaiko's picture

Re: Still confused about types of contacts and which one to use

Submitted by Olga Chaiko on Fri, 2007-03-16 19:43.
Barbara,

I am glad that we have this sorted out, ;-)! I think you are on the right track with your idea to stick with the stopped contacts and a quick release.

As far as turning wide, etc., take heart, it takes time for the dog to learn the game. I would take a forward running, wide turning dog any time, as opposed to a trotting pretzel, ;-)..

There are a lot of fabulous instructors in our area, and I am sure that the ones you went to did a good job giving you a "push in the right direction", ;-)..

I am very confident that I can help you and Chip to become an even better team and to obtain the wonderful MACh Championship title, provided you relax and take it one step at a time.. ;-)..

As far as Chip being 17 3/4' tall and having a wonderful opportunity to jump 16" in AKC Agility, I think it is a blessing and it will allow Chip to have a long and fun filled career in Agility.

Speed and tight turns are almost mutually exclusive factors. When you drive on a freeway, you can go fast and.. surprise!.. there are no turns, ;-).. When you drive around town, speed limit is 35 mph. No wonder everyone likes to take the freeway.. LOL.

Olga.