How to Train Tight Turns in Agility (Beginner Guide)

How to Train Tight Turns in Agility

What Are Tight Turns in Agility?

A tight turn (or wing wrap) is when your dog jumps, lands tight behind the wing, and immediately turns back in the opposite direction. This technique saves valuable seconds in agility and ensures your dog takes the best possible line to the next obstacle.

Unlike a looser left or right turn (where the dog continues forward in the same direction), a tight turn requires a U-turn back towards the original side.

💡 Common Verbal Cues for Tight Turns:

• “Wrap” / “Check”
• “Tic” / “Tac”
• Any consistent cue that contrasts with your loose turn commands (e.g., “Left” / “Right”)

What You’ll Need

• A place board (acts as a start line)
• A jump wing, cone, stick, or household item (chair, bin, etc.)
• A food bowl (placed as a target)
• High-value treats

Step-by-Step Training Guide

Step 1 – Teaching the Turn

1️⃣ Position your dog on the place board to create a consistent start point.
2️⃣ Say “OK” to release them off the board. Use a treat in your right hand crossing over your body, to lure your dog around the object (clockwise) and ending up on the same side as the bowl.
3️⃣ Drop the treat into the food bowl as soon as your dog completes the turn.
4️⃣ Repeat 5 times, helping your dog build confidence and fluency.

📝 Why Use a Bowl?
The bowl prevents your dog from expecting the rewards to happen near you/your hand, building independence and drive around the object, towards the target.

Step 2 – Remove the lure

Once your dog is consistently moving around the object:
1️⃣ Repeat the sequence, but use an empty hand instead of a lure.
2️⃣ Say “OK” to release, then drop the treat in the bowl when they turn.
3️⃣ After 10 successful reps, introduce the verbal cue just before they turn (e.g., “Check” for right turns).

Step 3 – Building Independence

Progress by:
✅ Gradually removing the hand motion, so your dog responds to the verbal cue only.
✅ Moving the place board and bowl further from the object to create more distance.
✅ Mirroring the setup to train the opposite direction (e.g., “Wrap” for left turns).

📌 Optional Challenge: Introduce handling moves like front crosses as your dog turns to test your dog’s understanding.

Why This Drill Helps Your Agility Performance

✅ Saves time on course by creating sharper turns.
✅ Improves handler-dog communication with clear cues.
✅ Gives your dog confidence & independence in distance handling.
✅ Engages smart, high-energy dogs with trick-based training.

Watch the Drill in Action!

Check out a real example of this drill in my training session here:
📽️YouTube Video – Click to Watch

Final Thoughts

Tight turns are an easy skill to train at home and can shave seconds off your agility runs. By introducing clear cues, structured drills, and fun reward-based training, your dog will learn to take tighter, more controlled turns on the agility course.

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