"Go round": Guide 1

Get Started in Dog Agility at Home. Guide 1: "Go round". Going around a single jump wing or pole following a lure

What: A ‘go round’ is where the dog goes around to the back of a jump and takes off the opposite side than they were previously travelling. 

In this exercise, we will use food, or a toy balled up in your hand to lure the dogs around a single jump wing or post to teach them to turn right around obstacles. 

Why: 

• The lure helps the dog practice the move until it becomes well practised so that we can advance the move as the course progresses. 
• Go round is a move that is likely to feature in an agility course, such as the corner of a box.
• This training provides mental and physical enrichment for the dogs 
• Can be a good indoor activity and a way of tiring them out if you are less able. 

How to practice dog agility at home:

1. Find an obstacle that you can use for the dog to circle, for example, a post in the ground, chair, or large flowerpot. 
2. Count out 5-8 treats or ball up a toy in your hand.
3. Practice your left and right turns equally until the dog follows the lure to completes a turn fluidly every time. 

Right turns

1. Start with the dog on your left with a pole ahead (12 o’clock) 
2. Lure the dog around the pole with your right hand by holding the lure in front of your dogs nose, and tracing out a circle in front of them, around the pole in a circular motion as the dog follows. 
3. Click or say your marker word as they pass the post
4. Drop treat just beyond the pole, to encourage them to complete the circle (3 o’clock) 
5. Progress treat placement from just past the pole to by your feet (6 o'clock).
6. Practice 5-8 x then give the dog a rest between repetitions. 

Left turns 

Practice the steps above on the opposite side, for example with the dog on your right, luring with your left hand.

Goal to achieve: Practice until your dog can complete a full circle around the obstacle in both directions following a lure. 

About the author:

Hi 👋 I’m Emma, accredited as a professional dog trainer by the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT). I help owners of energetic dogs achieve the dog-owning life they envisioned by providing robust obedience & agility training for dogs in Balsham, near Cambridge.

Disclaimer: The content of this article does not include personalised advice and is for information purposes only. If you need individual advice or other enquiries please click here to get in contact or if you're not local to Anglian Dog Works, you can find a trainer in your area by going to the IMDT website: https://www.imdt.uk.com/find-a-qualified-imdt-trainer

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