FF260: All Things Parkour

Tic Tacs

Intermediate Level – Dog must go up to a stable, flat obstacle tilted at 45 degrees or higher and perform a tight turn, similar to that on a flyball box.  All 4 feet must touch the obstacle.  Each foot should not touch the object more than twice (once is ideal) and contact time should be minimal.  Behavior should be performed in both directions.  This is sometimes known as a rebound.

A tictac board has a cushion / mat surface glued to a wooden board.  I was able to get the board and foam mat cut at my local home improvement store.  You can also use a yoga mat or any foam floor material.  My board is 30X36 and works well for all my dogs.

Use your tictac board and cone, the tictac board should be slightly raised (2-4”) with the cone in front.  Have your dog go around the cone trotting on the board.  Mark just as they peak around the cone to encourage the “drive” around and off the board.  Be sure to go both directions.  Make sure your dog is going on and off the front of the board.  (You can also use your leg/knee for your dog to go around instead of the cone if it is easier)

Once you have mastered the above step.  Angle your tictac board just slightly, the back is propped up about 4”. (I just removed the 4X4 from under the front of the board.)  Continue as above, asking your dog to go around the cone (or your leg/knee).  Practice both directions.  Mark as their nose comes around the cone and toss the cookie to encourage them to drive off the board and not stop in a 2 on/2 off position. 

Once you have mastered the above steps.  Continue to raise the angle of the board and repeat going each direction, making sure all four feet make contact with the board.  The next step is to put the back of the board on half concrete blocks or something of similar height, then move to full concrete blocks.

You can move with them and then plant your foot/leg where the cone was.  This will give your dog some drive to the board and then use your leg to drive around.  I find it easier to toss the cookie if I face the direction they will come off the board.  So I would use the leg on the same side they are on for them to go around.

Once your dog is solid at going around with all four feet making contact and driving off the board, lean it against the wall.  It may be a different picture to your dog, so support any interaction.  At this stage, I only use my body for my dog to drive around.  I would no longer use the cone.   Continue working both sides. 

Make sure the board is solid and will not fall with the impact of your dog.  I actually step on it at an angle, like my dog will hit, to make sure that it is steady.

As you get to higher angles, move the board up slower.  At this stage, even a small adjustment makes a big difference to your dog.  Progress slowly!

Start taking your tictac board to new environments.  You can prop the board against a building as long as there is grass to support the board and a soft landing for your dog.  Any interaction with the board should be rewarded. 

I had to mute this video, you couldn’t hear anything but the wind whipping around the camera.  I think the progression is very important and the volume is not really needed.

You can then put the tictac board on the obstacle you would like to perform your actual tictac and then fade it away.

And now you have a tictac!!

Kevin:

Holly   

Bam: 

Blaise – tree to table: 

HOMEWORK:  Everyone should video their sessions.  Gold students, provide video of each of your steps before moving forward.  Silvers, post any questions you may have as you play along.  Bronze should also play along and video sessions for their own review.