Foundation Recall - Linda Mecklenburg Style.

This past Saturday night I attended a 3 hour foundation jumping clinic hosted by Martine @ J-Canine Pet Resort (http://www.j-canine.com/).  I had a really great time working with Mia and Hallie and I think they had a good time also!  :)

So today I thought I would blog about the clinic, sharing with you what I learned.  As all of you know I am focusing on learning Linda Mecklenburg's agility methods so it was rather fitting that the clinic was all about her foundation recall variations.  There are 6 variations; Classic, Serpentine, 270, Directed, Back-up, and Extension.  Today I want to talk about Classic.  (If you would like to read the entire article that I am getting my information from please see July 2008 Clean Run article Handling Your Dog in Awesome Style, Part 4 by Linda Mecklenburg.)

Classic Recall over a Jump

Dog is in a sit-stay on the take off side and
 the handler is on the landing side facing the dog.

The dog and the handler are the same distance from the jump, this distance should be the same as the dogs jump height, so in my case 16".  This will help ensure the dog jumps with collection over the jump.  Cue the dog using your jump command and hand signal, once the dog has committed to the jump turn toward the outside of the jump luring your dog into a heel position.  Treating at your side low to the ground.

Same set up as above however add handler motion

The next step is to add motion, starting with handler motion.  Set  your dog and you up the same as above, however once the dog has committed to the jump turn to toward the outside of the jump take a few steps forward luring your dog into a heel position.  Again treating at your side and low to the ground.

Now add dog's motion. Please note that when you add dog's motion you will not have handler motion. Baby steps, one thing at a time.

 

Lastly you will have dog and handler motion.

These exercises are ones that you will want to practice off and on for the rest of your teams career as it never hurts to get back to basics. Also be sure to practice all of these recalls on both sides, left and right, they will feel different to you and your dog so you will want to practice.