AG275: School of Fish- Part 2 Raising the Agility Dog

Week 1 Assignment 1

Puppy Jump Grids (4-5 Months)

Set Point Grid 

My background before dogs was in horses.  I did show jumping for 20 years before training dogs full time.  When training horses for show jumping, we rely heavily on jumping gymnastics to teach the horses how to jump properly.  I was very surprised when I entered the agility world only to discover that jumping is one of the least trained behaviors.  

Naturally gifted jumping dogs are few and far between.  Yes, our dogs can jump when running in the woods or playing around the furniture in your home but when we ask them to do it in performance sports we are asking for jumping in collection or extension, turning, lead changes and so on.  All these things change how our dog’s jump.  It is important at a young age that we start to teach our dogs how to use their bodies effectively when jumping.   

I use Susan Salo’s Jump Grids with all my puppies.  I do not start puppy jump grids until my puppy is 4 months old or older.  I only use jump bumps (PVC pipe cut in half) or 4” bars.  There is no height at this point because we don’t want to put any excess pressure on joints or growth plates that are that are still developing.  

Some things to remember when doing jump grids with young puppies:

•    Some puppies may not be ready for jump grids as early as 4 months so don’t push it if your puppy is not ready.
•    Sessions should be very short
•    For Jump Grids a balanced start line is important.If your puppy does not have a start line stay and you need someone to restrain them, be sure it is not like a restrained recall.You want the holder to be calm and try not to allow the puppy to pull forward which puts their weight on the forehand.  
•    Puppies never jump height.Only jump bumps (stride regulators) or 4” bars.

The first grid I start with is the Set Point Grid.  This grid teaches the dog how to gather themselves to come off the ground and teaches them appropriate take off distance.  This grid is done with no handler motion and no speed coming into the grid for the dog.   

***Both jumps are bumps.  1st one is small bump and 2nd one is large bump.  6 foot spacing for very large breeds, 5 foot spacing for medium dogs and 4 foot spacing for small dogs.

A food bowl or toy are placed 1.5 stride lengths off the last jump.  The handler will stand lateral off the toy or food bowl.  It is important that the dog drive to the toy or food and not be rewarded from the handler.  This is to ensure the dog is task focused not handler focused.  If your dog comes to you, just redirect them back to where the reward is.  Only do a maximum of 2 reps per side.  Some puppies may only be able to handle one rep each side and that is fine.