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How do you Teach the Swimmer's Turn |
Our Suggestion - There are many methods!
See Puppy training for more detailed information.
We emphasize:
- fast recalls (returns)
- beginning with the "dead-ball pickup" drill
- human pylon
Fast Recalls
Fast, fast recalls are the key. We do more recalls (dog is held at the box, and returns to the handler) than complete runs or box work since we discovered that a fast recall really helps a dog with a swimmer's turn. (Our handlers hate it because they have to run so much in practice.)
In addition, playing (aka fun) with the dog at the end of a recall is important. The dog wants to come back to you as fast as possible so that he can "play" with you. The most important thing in the dog's life is to play with you. The handler must show all kinds of enthusiasm.
Dead-Ball Pickup Drill
The ball is on the ground in front of the box and it is placed on the side that helps the turn rather than directly in the centre. This drill helps the dog to turn and get their back feet up for a push off the box.
Human Pylon
A person stands sideways near the box (the body is at 90 degrees to the box) - facing the direction (left or right) the dog is coming from. After the dog has passed the human pylon the person moves forward to give the dog room for a tight turn. The dog is recalled over no hurdles, over one hurdle, over two hurdles etc.
Beginning Dog Sequence
Initially we place the tennis ball on the floor against the pedal in the centre. Someone stands behind the box in the box-loader position and we do many repetitions. We start the dog out a few feet from the box and gradually increase the away distance. Like a regular recall, the handler runs away from the box and provides plenty of encouragement when the dog returns with a ball in their mouth. The handler must not look back.
Once we determine the direction of the dog's turn, we gradually move the ball over to that side (we stop when the ball is about 8 inches from the side of the box (location of 3-hole box). We then gradually move the ball up the box. And finally we place the ball in the hole but we don't trigger the hammer. After many, many repetitions we finally properly load the ball and set the spring tension on our box so that it throws the ball 8". We then gradually increase the distance of the throw.