CC480: Beyond the Peanut: Cavalettis for Fitness

Exercise 1a - The Ladder

What defines the ladder exercise is that the rails are always set at the same height and the same distance, there is no variability. The typical ladder also does not change between dogs, whether tall or short, long or square. The down side to a typical ladder equipment (see picture) is that it really can only be used for limited exercises. 

For this assignment we will use the Ladder set up only for walking straight forward.

Goal of the exercise - Body Awareness;

If you have the ability to change height of the rails, this exercise can also work on active range of motion in flexion.

Assignment:

1) Start by setting up the rails. This is a walking gait, so start with the rails spaced as far apart as your dog’s 3/4 height at the withers. Long backed dogs should start with the rails spaced equal to the dog's height at the withers (and we will make spacing adjustments as we go). A dog that is 24 inches tall at the withers would have the rails spaced 18 inches apart. A dog that is 8” tall at the withers would have the rails spaced 6 inches apart. The rails should be set to a height around the dog’s tarsus (ankle or hock). A small dog might need the rails set on the ground (but make sure they can’t roll around if they get knocked). In the video, the first dog is 21 inches tall and the rails are set 15 inches apart and 4 inches high. The second dog is 18 inches tall and the rails are set 13 inches apart and 4 inches high.

2) Next, place targets or a dish (or Manner’s Minder) on either end approximately 10 feet away from the first/last rail. If your dog is unfamiliar with using a target or dish for reinforcement take some time to teach that marker. This ability will come in handy as often we need the dog to look where they are going in this class, not at the handler.

3) I recommend starting with the dog on leash and walking through the rails with the dog (this will be next to impossible if you are using a traditional ladder). I recommend not luring or having reinforcement in your hand. The dog’s focus should be on the rails and/or straight ahead.

4) As you exit the last rail, give your marker for the reinforcement is coming on the target or dish (or activate the Robot Reinforcer). Let the dog get the reinforcement.

5) Walk around to the beginning and repeat.

6) You may need to stay walking with the dog in the rails for the entire first session (maximum 10 repetitions). If you feel comfortable you can move out side the rails while the dog continues to walk through them.

Trouble Shooting:

Problem: Your dog only looks at you and knocks over all the rails.

Answer: Get the reinforcer out of your hand, keep it in a treat pouch or somewhere else off your body, but easily accessible. Work on reinforcing on a target or in a dish or use a Manner’s Minder.

Problem: Your dog jumps over the rails.

Answer: Use a leash to maintain connection and walk slower. Try circling around, rather than walking back and forth, so that you can set an appropriate walking pace and maintain it. Walking back and forth incorporates stopping and starting, which are changes in speed, and can encourage more changes in speed as the dog moves through the rails.

Problem: Your dog does not want to stay in the rails.

Answer: Walk in the rails with your dog.

Decrease the number of rails you use initially. Try starting with 3 or 4 rails, then reinforce. After a few successful sessions of 3 or 4 rails, increase to 6, then increase to 8.

Problem: The lowest notch for my rail is 4 inches and my dog is only 10 inches tall.

Answer: Put the rail in the top notch and lay the cone over on its side or if using a true traffic cone, put the rail in the top and place the cone on its side. Now the rail is only about 1 inch high.

Advanced Exercise:

If your dog is comfortable walking through a traditional ladder, you can try trotting through the ladder. Remember that this will compress the natural stride of the trot especially the larger the dog. Balance this out by asking for extended trotting exercise (1b).