AG460: Making It Easy - 12 Commonly Used OMD Inspired Techniques
Course Details
This course will teach you how to speak the dog’s language and make you a more fluid team in your communication. This course will break down the 12 most commonly used One Mind Dogs (OMD) inspired techniques. You will learn two new techniques a week starting off with one jump then progressing to using the technique in a short sequence so you become familiar with where and when you would want to use them and how they are executed in flow.
Teaching Approach:
I teach a lot of skill-based classes. You will find that I write several short lectures a week and illustrate them with several short (usually 30 seconds or so) clips. The videos are designed to illustrate the lecture. Homework is specific and the same for everyone in the class and will follow a set path.
Barbara Currier (she/her) got involved with agility shortly after adopting her Chihuahua. In 2004, Barbara and her husband Michael were relocated to VA and shortly after she started teaching agility at All Dog Adventures (fka All Dog Playskool) in Richmond, VA. (Click here for full bio and to view Barbara's upcoming courses)
The front cross is one of the most commonly used handling moves in agility and the most frequently executed incorrectly. During the front cross, the handler changes their side in front of the dog. The handler must be ahead of the dog in order to give the dog the turn information on time.
When executing the front cross the handler will be moving toward the next obstacle. Depending on the dog, sometimes a rhythm change will need to be used before take off. You will perform your FC a step away from your dog's intended line.
It is important to keep your connection with the dog through the turn. The direction of your head will indicate your handling side for your dog to continue on after your turn.
Your chest should be pointing to your dog’s take off point of the obstacle until commitment. You will then continue toward the next obstacle and you should be pointing in the direction of the next obstacle when the dog is taking off for the obstacle behind you.
When committing your dog to the obstacle, you should take a step toward the dogs take off point with the foot closest to the dog. After the dog commits, your feet should be going in the direction of the intended line after the obstacle.
For tight turns, some dogs may need a slow down cue which can be the dog’s name or some people make a “hissing” sound.
Troubleshooting
Your dog is jumping wide.
You may need a slowdown cue.
Your chest laser is pointing forward instead of at the dog’s take off point while the dog is committing and you are not performing your FC until the dog has landed.
You are starting your FC but keep running backward instead of toward the next obstacle.
Your dog is refusing or misses the jump.
You have changed your lead arm before the dog has committed to the jump.
You have turned your chest before the dog has committed to the obstacle.
You executed your FC too far off the dog’s intended line which causes them to miss the next obstacle.
Your dog comes up on the wrong side of you.
As the dog is landing you are looking forward and not at your dog which indicates to the dog to come to the wrong side of the handler.
Here is your first assignment. You have two sets of numbers. Do the circles first then the squares.
Circles: Send to tunnel dog on left, FC 2-3
Squares: Send to tunnel dog on right, Collected Front Cross 3, FC 4-5
Have fun!!! I can't wait to see how great you all look!
A sampling of what prior students have said about this course ...
As someone completely new to these techniques, I learned so much in these six weeks I thought my head was going to explode! We are still a work in progress, but this has already helped me in fun matches and in-person classes. I can't wait for my next trial to really test what we have learned together.
Barbara is so patient with us, and has such a good eye for the littlest things. That also has helped me learn how I can improve from watching my own videos. I am really looking forward to her next class with FDSA!
Barbara is so encouraging and motivating! I feel like I’ve learned so much! The crosses and turns were presented in an easy to understand format. Her feedback was quick and positive.
Really nice introduction to OMD techniques. Good mechanics and easy to understand.
I really enjoyed Barbara and the class material. Being able to watch the student videos and read Barbara's comments was quite helpful for my understanding.
Fun class. Great feedback. Can’t say I’m fluent in the skills yet, but great introduction to them. Would recommend gold for experienced handlers serious about improving skills.
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.
Instructor: Barbara Currier
