Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - AG375: Smoother Moves: Advancing Your Technique Training & Course Analysis

Course Details

Advanced handling techniques are often a combination of basic handling techniques and are built on the foundation of solid basics. This class will cover introducing advanced techniques and how to apply them to a variety of agility course challenges. In addition to adding new techniques to the handler’s toolbox, this class will expand on course walking strategies and course analysis. Students will work on building a handling strategy, testing it, and analyzing it so that they are better prepared for making decisions during the walkthrough in competition. Each week there will be a different theme to focus on that will enhance the handler’s knowledge and understanding of their dog’s perspective on the agility course.
This class is suitable for those teams that have a solid understanding of:

Commitment and Keeping Commitment
Basic Handling Techniques: front cross, rear cross, and blind cross

Smoother Moves will expand your handling toolbox and knowledge of course analysis. This class covers a lot of handling concepts so that each week, teams can focus on the tools that they need to be able to solve every course challenge.

I believe the perfect handling system is a solid understanding of how physical cues naturally affect the dogs plus some well-trained verbal cues sprinkled on top. The well-trained verbals are determined based on what each individual team needs. This class’s focus is built on the philosophy of handling from the dog’s perspective, with the understanding that each team is unique and will need different modifications as they progress.

Teaching Approach

Lectures are released at the beginning of the week. There will be written and video- demonstrated instructions for each technique. Coursework will have demonstrations with voice-over analysis breaking down exactly what happened and why.

Feedback will include both written instructions and voice-over feedback on your videos.

Students are encouraged to have discussions with Megan and each other via the discussion forum and/or the FB study group about handling styles and how to individualize the communication system for each team.

Instructor: Megan Foster

Megan (she/her) has been involved in the dog sport world nearly her entire life. Though her family did compete in obedience, agility was Megan’s passion right from the start. With over 20 years experience, she has competed with a variety of dogs...(Click here for full bio and to view Megan's upcoming courses)

Syllabus

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Week 1:

1.0 The Course from Your Dog’s Perspective
1.1 Basic Technique Review
1.2 Technique Quiz: Reality Lines

Week 2:

2.0 Reverse Spin Basics
2.1 Reverse Spin Sequences
2.2 The Power of Your Eyes: Basics
2.3 The Power of Your Eyes: Sequences
2.4 Technique Quiz: Turns, Turns, Turns!

Week 3:

3.0 Choosing Your Positions & Techniques
3.1 Replacing the Front Cross Basics
3.2 Replacing the Front Cross Sequences
3.3 Wrapping Lines: Basics
3.4 Wrapping Lines: Sequences
3.5 Technique Quiz: Positions

Week 4:

4.0 Virtual Dog Walk Through
4.1 S-Lines Four Ways: Basics
4.2 S-Lines Four Ways: Sequences
4.3 Technique Quiz: Does Your Walk Through Match Your Run?

Week 5:

5.0 Clear Round Training
5.1 Technique Quiz: Clear Round Training
5.2 Technique Quiz: Either-Or Training
5.3 Technique Quiz: Which Way Is Fastest?

Week 6:

6.0 Technique Quiz: Reality Lines #2
6.1 Technique Quiz: Positions #2
6.2 Technique Quiz: Does Your Walk Through Match Your Run? #2
6.3 Technique Quiz: Clear Round Training #2

Prerequisites & Supplies

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This class is the third in a series of handling classes. Previous participation (at any level) in AG365: Agility Handler Mechanics and AG400 Smooth Moves is required for a Gold Spot. As needed, throughout this class, I can refer you back to lectures in AG365 and AG400, and it will enhance your learning experience that much more!

If you did not take either of these classes, they will be available for purchase during registration. This class does stand-alone well, but is more valuable when combined with the first two classes. If you did not take either of the prerequisite classes but are interested in a gold spot, please setup, film, and submit to me your first two attempts at this course.

50x50 You can break it into sequences, #1-9 and #9-18 if needed.

Capture smoother moves 1

30x30 You can break it into sequences #1-5 and #6-11 if needed.

Capture smoother moves 2

AG365: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/26489

AG400: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/28851

Equipment: Each setup will include a map for a 30x30 space and a 50x50 space. For the small setup, you will need 1-2 jumps + 1 tunnel OR 3 jumps. For the large setup, you will need 3-5 jumps + 1 tunnel.

Appropriate Age & Skill Level of Dog: Dogs should be comfortable with jumps and tunnels. They do not have to be jumping full height, so younger dogs can participate so long as they have worked through the exercises in AG400 or have instructor approval.

Sample Lecture

German Turn

A German turn is a technique where the dog will complete a tight s-line, usually on a backside-line. Based on what you’ve learned so far, consider a German turn = backside send + running on the dog’s line + delayed head turn.

Your motion will parallel the intended line the entire time, from the commitment to the jump and throughout the turn.

Your position will be one step from the intended line. The handler begins with a position that helps cue the backside. After commitment, the handler moves forward, around the opposite wing that you've sent the dog around. You and the dog will be across from each other as you break the plane of the jump and continue moving forward parallel to the intended line.

Your eyes will be watching the dog for commitment to the backside and then drop to the landing spot of the jump as you move away. Once the dog has landed, you will use a head turn to change your eyes to the other shoulder, cueing a side change to the dog.

Your chest will point to the outer edge of the wing for the backside send, then towards the take-off point of the jump as you break the plane of the jump, and then to the intended line after the head turn.

Your feet will keep you moving forward during the entire technique. You should avoid backing up or turning your hips towards the jump as much as possible.

Your arms will support your chest throughout the technique. Using the dogside arm to cue the backside, and as you break the plane of the jump, using the outside arm to turn your chest towards the take-off spot helps support the dog to continue to the jump as you move away. Then, when you cue the head turn, the outside arm becomes the new dogside arm.

Your voice can help the dog commit to the backside.

Teaching

Step 1

Begin with your dog in a stay on the takeoff side of the jump. You will be positioned on the opposite wing, using the hand furthest from the dog, turning your chest towards the take-off point of the jump. Release your dog and begin to move away from the jump. They should jump and collect their pre-placed reward. You can watch them eat over the same shoulder, or practice your timing of your head turn as they land. Repeat this until you are able to remove the pre-placed reward and drop the reward on the line after landing and head turn.

Step 2

Move your dog's starting point so that the front half of their body is on the takeoff side of the jump and the rear half is on the landing side, so that they can practice the wrap around the wing with your movement away. Progress the reward the same as Step 1.
Not all dogs need this step, but it's a good split if the dog's backside sends are not as strong!

Step 3

Move your dog to the exit of the tunnel. You will now be cueing the backside send before the rest of the German turn.

Step 4

Start your dog from the tunnel. Time the commitment to the backside just as they exit the tunnel, so that you have plenty of time to move around the wing as they commit to the jump.

How is this different than a backside + blind? Or a Hungarian Turn?

This is the most common question I get asked, and I love explaining it.

Totally clear, right? It's ok if it isn't. Remember the technique names and guidelines of those techniques are used to help you be more consistent in the cues you are giving to your dog. So when you aren't sure which technique to use, ask yourself: what type of line do I need to create, and then see where it falls on the image above. I hope that helps!

Assignment

Teach yourself and your dog the German turn!

Testimonials & Reviews

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A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...

An amazing course for anyone who does agility. Highly recommended. If you can, take the series of 3 courses, preferably at gold Megan takes you from basic handling (but explains it in incredible detail) and leads you on to more complex techniques and handling. But ensures you understand why your dogs is doing what she is doing, what she is responding to. Megan will take you handling to a new level, whatever you initial understanding and ability I love the audio over your video feedback, incredibly helpful. I would love more courses like this and hope to do it again Thank you Megan

Megan explains agility handling in a way that makes so much sense. She breaks down every step into little bits that are understandable. I highly recommend any course taught by Megan. You will not be disappointed and neither will your dogs!

Super agility skills class for anyone who wants to take their training to the next level and likes AKC premier, USDAA, UKI or more international style courses.

Megan is the first agility instructor I worked with that practices a very thoughtful and constructional approach to teaching both halves of the team (dog and human) . Her teaching empowers the students, and I felt well prepared to meet the challenges presented in class. The progress felt palpable. THANK YOU MEGAN!

Megan's feedback is always precise, targeted, and exactly what is needed to help is progress from wherever we are now to the next level. She is able to provide the next steps and things to focus on for beginners to progress without being overwhelmed -- but also provides details, and insight for the most experienced teams to progress. She really takes time with each team to focus on their specific needs. I cannot recommend her courses strongly enough.

This class really helped me see my how my handling was communicating with my dog and enabled tweaks that dramatically enhanced our connection! Highly recommend!

Megan is amazing at explaining agility! I want to shout it from the rooftops and tell everyone to take her classes. Her understanding of agility, compassion for her students (human and canine), and commitment to teaching make her a truly exceptional instructor.

Registration

There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please subscribe to our mailing list for notifications.

Registration opens at 9:30am Pacific Time.

AG375 Subscriptions

	Gold	Silver	Bronze
Tuition	$ 260.00	$ 130.00	$ 65.00
Enrollment Limits	10	15	Unlimited
Access all course lectures and materials	✔	✔	✔
Access to discussion and homework forums	✔	✔	✔
Read all posted questions and answers	✔	✔	✔
Watch all posted videos	✔	✔	✔
Post general questions to Discussion forum	✔	✔	✖
Submit written assignments	✔	✖	✖
Post dog specific questions	✔	With video only	✖
Post videos	✔	Up to 2	✖
Receive instructor feedback on	Questions All videos	Questions All videos	✖

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AG375: Smoother Moves: Advancing Your Technique Training & Course Analysis

Course Details

Teaching Approach

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