Fenzi Dog Sports Academy - OB310: Ob-ility

Details: Category: Course Descriptions

Course Details

Ob-ility is a fast paced and exciting way to teach advanced obedience exercises to dogs that like to move! In this class, we will introduce the basic ob-ility cues (fly and thru) and demonstrate how to use them to teach any dog several fundamental obedience exercises. All dogs will be introduced to the ob-ility method of teaching the broad jump, high jump, recall, directed jumping, and gloves (no retrieves required!). Dogs who enter the class with more obedience skills may also be introduced to the ob-ility method of drop on recall, retrieve on flat, and the signal exercise. We'll work with the skills that you and your dog possess, and add a few new ones to keep you busy! This class is appropriate for any dog or puppy with or without fundamental obedience skills. Only requirements are a basic off-leash recall and a safe environment for your off leash dog to practice!

But... what IS Ob-ility? In the teaching phases, Ob-ility is simply a way of breaking the exercises down so that the movement parts of the exercises are separated from the other parts - this makes the work a lot more fun and "flowing" for the dog. Here is a video showing Team Stella from the last Obility class. After mastering the basic fly and reverse fly, they moved on to broad jump and directed jumping. Look at how much fun this team is having!

While these exercises have not been formalized and they'll need plenty more practice, you can see that this young dog has all of the pieces she'll eventually need, and they have a great way to practice this exercise without all of the sits and stays that are a part of more traditional obedience. Who's having more fun; the dog or the handler??!!

This is an excellent choice for obedience dogs that aren't having much fun with their training, and provides a nice introduction to the concept of using "flow" to train new concepts.

Instructor: Denise Fenzi

Denise Fenzi (she/her) has competed in a wide range of dog sports – titling dogs in obedience (AKC and UKC), tracking (AKC and schutzhund), schutzhund (USA), mondioring (MRSA), herding (AKC), conformation (AKC), and agility (AKC). She is best known for her flashy and precise ... (Click here for full bio and to view Denise's upcoming courses)

Syllabus

View Full Syllabus

Lecture #1: First rule: Continuous Movement!

Lecture #2: Second Rule: Get Rid of Stays!

Lecture #3: Build on Those Fly's!

Lecture #4: Teach a Reverse Fly

Lecture #5: Challenge Assignment

Lecture #6: Adding a Stop after Fly

The Glove Exercise

The "Go-out" Exercise

Broad Jump Obility Exercise

Directed Jumping Exercise

Recall Exercise

Drop on Recall Exercise

Equipment

Space Required:

Approx. size of an AKC ring (40 by 50); creative use of smaller spaces is possible.

Supplies Needed:

Three or more identical objects that your dog can run around. Examples would be cones, garbage cans, poles, etc. Height is not relevant but pick an object that is sturdy. If your dog already has a strong nose touch behavior to a specific target, use a new set of objects to avoid confusion.

Two jumps of any type, size or style. (broad jump boards on their sides can be used in a pinch, as can whatever you choose to rig up for jumps).

Treats or toys that your dog will work for.

Prerequisites: None. If you have taken "Heeling Games" you'll be ahead in the first week. If you have not taken heeling games, check out this video and start teaching fly before class starts:

Sample Lecture

The following is an example of obility from the lectures; how to teach the broad jump 'obility' style.

In this exercise, I will assume that your dog can jump over a tiny jump, or your dog can go between uprights. The reason I do not emphasize the jump is that the ob-ility broad jump exercise is not a jumping exercise; it is simply about going "straight ahead" while I stand in the broad jump position.

If that sounds confusing, note that I teach the pattern for the glove exercise without the dog ever fetching a glove. Same here; the dog can learn the pattern of the broad jump without a broad jump!
For me the relevant question is...Can your dog go in a straight line between two poles? And...can they do that when something is in the middle, like a tiny jump? If you have that, then it's a simple matter to add a larger jump when your dog has developed their jumping skills.

Until I found Ob-ility, I hated teaching the broad jump. Seemed tedious and pointless. Now I love it! Here we go:
The AKC Broad Jump (intermediate exercise)
Work on "fly" between two objects approximately 30 feet apart

Add a new expectation – after sending the dog around one stanchion – back up and have dog come back to you for a reward; without going around the second stanchion. The main difference – if you want the dog to move forward, you step forward toward the second stanchion. If you want the dog to return to you, back up or pivot in place as soon as the dog is parallel to you and heading towards the second stanchion. Say 'come' at first to help the dog learn that when you pivot in place or step back, you want a recall; not a fly:

Stay at this step until you can either bring your dog back to front with a pivot, or send your dog on with a forward, sweeping motion. It's your choice if you occasionally add a front. MOST of the time the dog should be sent on – movement is more important at this stage than control.
Add a single board or tiny jump between the fly objects. Note that I occasionally back up and have Raika come to front after jumping. This is not very important at this stage but you'll want to know how to do it eventually.

Finally, spread out the broad jump, one board at a time. If your dog has no clue about jumping over a broad jump board, but understands a bar jump, go ahead and substitute a bar jump set at eight inches for the first board. You can add the broad jump around it. Then remove the bar out of the jump and remove one stanchion at a time after that. If your dog is tiny, place the bar on the ground. Then switch to a broad jump board (single) on its side.

Note that I alternate all sorts of ways of completing the jump – sometimes I bring her to front. Sometimes I sent her on to the 'start fly' and sometimes I turn on a pivot and formalize the exercise. When you are closer to needing the formalized exercise you can decide what you are comfortable with:

When I'm closer to formalizing the exercise, I occasionally take away the second object for flying. When I pivot on a spot and the second pole is gone, the dog should follow that body cue and come into a front. I never totally eliminate that second pole from practice, because it's such a fun way to practice this exercise. However, your dog does need to be able to do the broad jump without it. Hopefully, you'll have enough repetitions of jumping straight that corner cutting will be minimized and then you can introduce various techniques for formalizing the exercise, such as throwing rewards straight ahead or running straight ahead with your dog (Both beyond the teaching point of this class).

To help you understand how to handle mistakes and how to move forward, here is a video of Lyra showing LOTS of mistakes – we hadn't' done this exercise in a while and I thought someone might benefit from this session. I do try to show all of the steps above, except that I spread out the broad jump boards here very quickly and I left the bar jump in. There is no reason to include the bar jump if your dog already knows the broad jump.

Course Testimonials

A Sampling of what prior students have to say about this course ....

My dog likes agility, but hates obedience because he thinks it's boring"....a common refrain from dog sport enthusiasts. I would tell that dog to check in with the recent graduates from Fenzi Academy's Obility class! The flies, the thrus, the broad jumps and the glove exercises had each dog running happily with their handlers, barking with joy, and learning the rudiments of advanced competition obedience with fun and play....some would argue it was just as much fun as agility!

Denise makes every student feel special. She has a wonderful positive attitude and provides precise, detailed critiques that encourage success. The course is more than a series of classes....it is the basis of transformation of dog + handler into a team, and building upon the skills that create and nurture that relationship. Thanks, Denise ! Ana C.

We have no plans for competitions but we do love working, playing and having the most fun we can have strengthening our relationship. This course (Ob-ility 1) supplied fun ideas for building on our strong foundation. Denise's enthusiasm is contagious, her videos and descriptions / lectures were easy to follow! Tracy R.

My first time of enrolment with Fenzi Academy with two rescue hounds, beagle and a harrier. As bronze participants and novice backyard training partners, I found that myself and both dogs achieved each outcome successfully. With great concise guidance from Denise Fenzi. This style of training suited both dogs as they continually worked with great focus. This has been such a rewarding experience. Thank you for sharing. We will continue on learning as silver or gold candidates. Julie E.

Taking a course with Denise has given me a different perspective on training.....she pushes you to take responsibility as a handler and this strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Priceless. Heather L

Both my dog and I dramatically improved our skills through the strategies learned in ob-ility. I found ob-ility to be a creative and productive way to teach and proof open and utility exercises. The personal feedback from Denise was brilliant as was the learning achieved by observing my fellow classmates. Sally M

I love this Ob-ility class. My dog had become very flat and there was no engagement. He looked incredibly bored when I tried to use food in training. I had switched to toys only. I know have the food back as a tool and see where I was making my mistake. It was training and he knew it. Now it's fun and he doesn't know it's training. He's only 9 months old so still in the super playful mode. I loved this and it gave me a great tool to keep in his training toolbox.

All the Fenzi Academy courses I have taken have been a tremendous learning curve for me but the Ob-ility course has topped the list. Who could imagine that a simple ''fly'' could be used to teach a dog so many exercises and in such a fun way.

Registration

This is a self-study class. The lectures will appear directly in your library, under the "Self Study classes" heading. Self Study classes do not have class homework forums. You will not have any access to the course instructor for questions or feedback. Please note there are no refunds on self-study classes so review all the information provided carefully before purchasing.

You will have access to these materials in your library for one year from the date of enrollment. You can keep your library pass current by enrolling in at least one course or workshop a year. Alternatively, you can purchase a library pass for $25 per year for as long as you wish to have access to prior class materials.

OB310 Self Study

OB310: Ob-ility

OB310 Retired

$50.00

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