| The Tire Jump seems like a relatively easy agility | | | | facing the tire. Tell him "Go Tire". If he jumps |
| obstacle, at least from a persons perspective, but | | | | through, great, step to the side and reward him. |
| in the Novice Agility ring you see many dogs that | | | | If you don't get any movement from the dog, |
| refuse to go through it, many go under it, while | | | | step forward and point to the tire, "Go Jump". |
| others choose to go around it. How can you | | | | For some dogs this motion on your part is enough |
| prepare your beginning agility for success with the | | | | to get them up and going through the tire. If |
| Tire Jump? | | | | your dog still won't move, take your treat |
| Let's go back to foundation training. When | | | | container or toy and throw through the tire, |
| introducing any new obstacle, you want to keep | | | | saying, "Go Tire". Repeat this many times until |
| the difficulty low and emphasize the fun and ease | | | | your dog will successfully go through the tire |
| that it can be for your dog. If your dog has a | | | | without you having to step toward the tire or |
| sit stay, leave him about 2 feet in front of the | | | | throw his toy through the tire. If you are using a |
| tire, facing it, walk to the other side and call your | | | | toy quickly try to get your dog to go through the |
| dog, "Come Tire". If he won't budge, put your | | | | tire then reward with a throw of the toy or treat |
| hand with his treat or toy through the tire to | | | | container. Begin to back away from the tire, 3 |
| coax him to follow your hand and jump through | | | | feet, 6 feet, 9 feet work toward sending your |
| the tire. Practice this several times until he willing | | | | dog from 30 feet away. |
| is coming to you. Keep him about 2 feet from | | | | If you've started with a very young dog you |
| the tire, you go to the other side and then move | | | | should still have the tire height set low 8" or 12" |
| back about 6 feet, "Come Tire. When your dog | | | | for a good bit of your training. If your dog is |
| is able to jump through the tire when you are at | | | | older and large, now begin to move the tire height |
| different distances and angles from the tire, then | | | | up. Go back and practice you "Come Tire" and |
| it is time to move him further away from the | | | | "Go Tire" when you change the heights. As you |
| tire. Start him back 6 feet, you go to the other | | | | raise the height your dog may try to go under |
| side about 6 feet away and call, "Come Tire". | | | | the tire. At first you may want to setup some |
| Place your dog at different distances and angles | | | | wire mesh or angled jump bars under the tire for |
| from the tire and call him to you. When your | | | | your dog to realize he still needs to go through |
| dog can succeed 80% of the time, its time to | | | | and not under the tire. When you are getting |
| progress to make the challenge a bit harder. | | | | ready for competition, raise the tire slightly higher |
| Now that your dog is coming to you, it is time to | | | | than your dog would have in the agility ring. |
| teach "Go Tire". Start close to the tire again, 3 | | | | Preparation and practice are the best training tips |
| feet away, this time both you and your dog are | | | | for succeeding in the competition ring. |