How do you get a dog to jump? - Page 2

**Burns** · 08-20-2008, 02:22 PM

I quickly rigged up a jump consisting first of 2 buckets and a golf club, then 2 lawn chairs (for more height) and a golf club. I just lured him over, and used the clicker. Fun! I can see us getting into this

Errica, you should try it!

Bucket jump

Lawn chair jump

**Navistardobe** · 08-20-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns

Thanks for this thread, errica - I am looking to get Red into agility in the spring, but I don't have the slightest clue on how to start training some of the basic agility skills at home, so this is really helpful

We don't start to teach jumping to dogs until they are at least one year of age. You want to wait until the growth plates are closed before doing any repetitive type of jumping. The former thinking on jumping was to start with young dogs at low jump heights and gradually raise the bar. That thinking has changed as many people now wait to teach jumping and get the dog up their competitive jump height as soon as possible once they start their jump training. There are tons of foundation exercises to work on while the dog is young that is essential for competition. You might want to subscribe to Clean Run magazine although some of the stuff in the magazine is over the head for newbies to agility. Clean Run does have a puppy issue and a motivation issue that have many foundation exercises for those just starting out.

**Burns** · 08-20-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navistardobe

We don't start to teach jumping to dogs until they are at least one year of age. You want to wait until the growth plates are closed before doing any repetitive type of jumping. The former thinking on jumping was to start with young dogs at low jump heights and gradually raise the bar. That thinking has changed as many people now wait to teach jumping and get the dog up their competitive jump height as soon as possible once they start their jump training. There are tons of foundation exercises to work on while the dog is young that is essential for competition. You might want to subscribe to Clean Run magazine although some of the stuff in the magazine is over the head for newbies to agility. Clean Run does have a puppy issue and a motivation issue that have many foundation exercises for those just starting out.

Thanks for the info about the magazine. Red is 18 months old now, which is what most people say is the minimum age for starting any jumping, running, etc - he's not a small pup anymore by any means

thea2003 · 08-20-2008, 04:09 PM

Mine just automatically did it with no cue or anything and the jump was about 2feet tall... it was a parking barrier lol. She loves jumping over it and usually doesnt cheat by jumping on then over it lol

Dobemom2b · 08-20-2008, 04:30 PM

I started my previous dogs with a pvc jump cut the size to sit in a door way. To get through the door they had to go over the jump. I started it where they only had to step over it then moved to ones outside and had them follow me over low jumps. I used the word over from the time it was in the door.

alwayshadpets · 08-20-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinb

I use a 10 foot leash and run the dog up to the jump and toss the tug toy over the jump and tell the dog to up, then when he goes over and gets the toy say bring and make him come back over. For shutzhund you need to train for coming back over the jump from the start. Keep them on the long leash for a time so they come back over.

Agility is different, hopefully some agility people will jump in here!!

Nothing wrong with that method either to get going. Its all about whatever works.
As far as coming back that is just another exercise. I use the word over for Tamora. To her that means go over the jump, pick up the dumbell and come back to me.
In agility I use the word jump. to her that means just that, jump and keep on going with directions from me. This is an amazing breed and they can learn a lot of different words.

Lexxsmom · 08-20-2008, 04:48 PM

Agility is so much fun! Lexx loves the A frame and the tunnel, we can barely even walk by the tunnel at training without him running right through it. its adorable.

as for the jumping, i almost just jumped in front of him over the poles, then he got it

**errica** · 08-26-2008, 01:22 AM

Thank you all for the advice and tips! I worked with Athena for the rest of the week and she is going over small jumps - like a foot high. She's actually a huge chicken about inanimate objects, so this is a huge step for her! I figured this would help boost her confidence. The puppy loves the jumps, so I have to put them away otherwise he's be jumping all day!