Agility Flatwork Training

Flatwork is the foundation of all agility handling. It is the perfect start to agility training because you can begin with any dog that can target or even just follow a treat in your hand. Flatwork can be done anywhere, without expensive equipment. It is great for puppies that are too young to jump and dogs that need to build self-esteem or just learn body placement.

  1. Stays

    • Stays are critical for agility. A solid start line stay allows you to lead out further onto the course for more handling options. You need to be able to cue your dog to stop on course if it gets too excited, and you need your dog under control at the ring gate to re-attach the leash.

    Targeting

    • Hand targeting helps build the foundation for teaching crosses. It is a helpful tool to recall a dog during an agility run ("Fido, TOUCH!"). Remote targeting to a lid is a useful tool to teach a dog to run ahead of you, to turn, and to perform solid contacts.

    Turns

    • Many top agility handlers train directional cues for their dogs, either "left" and "right," or just "turn," meaning "turn away from me." Training starts by luring or tossing a treat/toy in the direction you want the dog to turn and then clicking or marking the dog as it turns and, finally, rewarding it with a treat/toy. A verbal cue is added once the dog is offering the behavior reliably. The next level of practice can be the dog turning away from you around a chair or overturned trash can and at increased distances.

    Front Crosses

    • Front crosses are a clear way to change your dog's direction on an agility course. Because you're in front of the dog to cue the direction change, most dogs respond well to front crosses--if the handler can get in front in time to cue the cross. A handler should start with the dog on the left and food in her right hand. She brings her right hand across her body, luring the dog to turn in toward her and then clicks or marks when the dog turns in. The handler continues moving forward with the dog now on the right while rewarding from the right hand. This process is then reversed and eventually done without food and adjusting speed.

    Rear Crosses

    • Rear crosses are indispensible if you are running a fast dog since they give you a way to direct the dog even if you fall behind on the course. They can be tricky to teach and execute clearly since the handler is cuing the dog from behind. Training starts by loading both hands with food and having the dog on the left. The dog is lured to turn away from you with your left hand arching away from your body. Clicking or marking occurs when the dog flips around to face the opposite way. The handler then turns his body in the same direction. The end result will be the handler and dog facing the same way, with the dog on the right. The process is then reversed.