Why Distance Handle?
I
wrote this recently after being asked to describe to club members how
to make a start with distance handling. I hope it's helpful. Also
worth checking out is the FaceBook group for Distance Handling here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/300843699995932
There are lots of reasons:
- Because it’s cool, and worth a try
- To add more flexibility to your handling
- Because you can’t run as fast as your dog
- Because you really can’t run at all!
The emphasis you place on building
distance skills will depend on how many of the above apply to you. Handling at
a distance will always be riskier than conventional methods, so handlers who
can move fast, usually take that option. For the rest of us distance handling
is worth the time investment, because it helps us to be competitive at all.
My Thoughts on Training Distance
Handling:
1.
Confidence
is key! If your dog is to
race away and take obstacles on command, without you there, he needs to know
you will be pleased he did. So, reward -
reward - reward – even if he takes the wrong obstacle, or turns the wrong way,
reward the attempt. This always
important, but it is especially so at the start of distance training.