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 Guide
Wire Training Tips
Guide wires have to
be removed gradually/ incrementally so the dogs don't even
realize they are being weaned off of them. It is not a problem
as long as the process is gradual and you make sure the dog is
solid and fast before taking the next step. Some dogs go slow at
first and you want to get them up to speed with motivation
(whatever works for your dog -- food, toys, tons of praise,
etc.) before you even think about removing a wire.
Start with short
sequences and build up the length as speed increases. At that
point, remove the wire from only one turn in the middle of the
sequence. Your dog should be so solid, that he doesn't even
notice the absence of one wire. Then put that wire back, and
take off a different one (perhaps on the other side). Make sure
that you don't take off the wires on the entry or exit poles as
these insure entry on the proper side and completion of the
whole sequence.
Gradually (*very
gradually*), after you have varied the individual wire removed,
you start removing 2 at a time, again varying which two (they
need not be consecutive wires at first). Then you work up to
removing 3 at a time and so on. The very last wires to be
removed are those on the entry poles. This can be a long
process, depending on the individual dog. The key is not to rush
it. If you have trouble weaning your dog from the wires it may
be because the dog is not quite ready to move to the next level,
or you are trying to remove too many wires too fast. (Nadia
Barrett) .
~dogpatch.com
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Training
Guide Wires for Dog Agility Weave Poles.
