Do you have a dog that hits the side wings while performing a backside or threadle slice? If so, this drill is for you.

This training challenge by Kari Massoth, our Team AgiNotes member is a great way to practice the focus on the center of the bar in different jumps.

Many of us train our dogs to jump an efficient line, however, if they are consistent at not respecting the wing, efficiency doesn’t mean a thing. The training challenge below starts us off with teaching our dogs to search for the center of the bar instead of the wings themselves.

In order to work this you will need a tunnel, one jump and four additional wings. You will set the jump in the center of a tunnel at a 45 to 60 degree angle, and about 20 feet away. From here, you will add in the additional wings two on each side of the jump wing. (See setup below).

Start with your dog without speed and let them get used to the extra wings on the side. With your dog 3 meters or 5’ feet from the wing right in their vision of sight, ask for your threadle slice with their toy or target with food on their reward line. If they can complete this, move them around the front side of the wings as your clock - 12 o'clock to 4 o'clock. Keep asking for the same criteria - no bars on the ground and them not hitting the upright.

Once you feel as though your dog has this task down without speed (I ask for an 80% success rate), add in the tunnel for speed. Send to the tunnel from a distance where you can easily be at a place to cue the threadle. If your dog handles this beautifully without error, move the outside wing to a different position and ask for the threadle again. Keep moving the orientation of the two outside wings as your dog progresses and keeps seeing that center portion of the bar.

This drill works just as well for backside slices. To start without speed, line your dog on the end wing and ask for a backside, and slowly move your way in to the center of the bar (see image below). The reward zone should still be on the path of your dog’s landing position from the slice. Once your dog is at the level of competency you’re comfortable with, add in the tunnel.

The rules for the backside are the same for threadles, your dog should not be touching the upright or dropping the bar. When you’re ready, start moving around the wings to help continued search for the middle of the bar.

Remember, we want the dog to be looking for the center of the bar, not looking at the wings. If the dog fails two times with a wing moved, back chain and give success to what they know. Keep your training time short with this drill, it’s a lot to ask of your dog to think of so many moving parts.