Pawsitive Steps Jumping for Agility

10/31/2024

Next set of classes will register Dec 27, 2024 and classes will start Jan 3, 2025. If you would like to be included please email me at [email protected]

09/03/2024

Last day for registration for online jump classes. Message me to be added to the main online group!

Send a message to learn more

10/24/2023

This is a great example of a dog that completely understands how to judge distance and jumping arc.

Obviously this in not a brand new jump grid dog. She has had a lot of work put into her jumping. But I asked Jan if it was ok for me to share this video so people could see just how important it is that dogs can judge distances quickly and efficiently to be safe out there on course.

With the distances between obstacles being "perceived" by humans as being "easier" for dogs if they are bigger nowadays, I think people need to re think that. BIGGER is MUCH harder and allows for way more questions for the dogs.

In class we are working on letting the dogs practice changing distances to help them learn to read the adjusted strides quickly and show us what they know. Here she is also working on a variety of types of jumps. Because that will also affect the jumping. We are looking for the dog to adjust its stride to get centred over the obstacle no matter what. This takes a LOT of skill. A lot more than people give the dogs credit for.

06/27/2023

I will be at Say Yes in Alberton ON Aug 8/9 for jump workshops. If you are interested in attending send me a message.

06/18/2023

Registration for next set of online is on now! Start date July 3, 2023. PM me if you are not in the main online group!

01/17/2022

For those on Agility Nation, Susan Garret and I just did a zoom chat on jumping for the 5 min trainer! All about Set Points!

12/16/2021

This is so true about all training, but most especially JUMPING!!!

If you want your dog to change, sometimes the change begins with you.

It's important to remember that struggling is not failing and it can mean that you’re trying, growing, learning and getting closer to a breakthrough.
When you're teaching the complex aspects of training with your dog, you'll find having a solid foundation makes it much easier.
It sounds completely backwards to many people at first, but once you get your head around it, it changes the game completely.

The fundamentals are paramount and there is no embarrassment in going back to improve them. The problem is if you continue to push forward when there is a hole in your training—that’s not fair to your dog.

It may be you discovered what you believe to be a short cut. But a perceived faster way to train can force your dog beyond his understanding or capabilities and ultimately, create a bigger problem than if you’d been patient in your training.
Some handlers think meaningful training doesn't begin until their dog is further forward yet, it’s the foundation that can make all the difference in his success.

There is a connection between how we start our young dogs and how we teach the most complex aspects. Our early training makes learning the more difficult facets easier, because the method is recognizable, intuitive and enjoyable.

You empower confidence and trust in your dog by setting him up to succeed.
If your dog has plateaued or is struggling, it may help to revisit the fundamentals.
This doesn't mean your dog should never encounter adversity;
it means that you’ve taught the foundation well enough that he can call upon it, and be resilient in the face of difficulty.
macraeway.com

12/08/2021

Next set of Online classes start January 3rd. Email [email protected] to be added to our online main page!