Agility Fun The Hobday Way, Volume II Steps for Obstacle Training
Steps for Obstacle Training (102 pages, illustrated) includes step-by-step instructions for teaching the different Agility obstacles. There are plenty of photos and diagrams to illustrate the process. Ruth also includes training notes and tips, as well as recommendations for solving problems that may occur during the training process. Interestingly, she provides two different methods for training the contact obstacles—one is the method that she recommends for inexperienced handlers and handlers who are likely never to compete, and the other that she recommends for experienced, competitive handlers. Both methods emphasize accuracy on the contacts, but the second emphasizes teaching the dog to go as fast as possible to the end of the ramps. It requires lots of hard work and repetition, which is why she doesn’t recommend it for all handlers. This is a good reminder for Agility instructors that training methods often need to be adjusted to match the goals and skills of the individual students.
The second half of the book includes lesson plans for an eight-week beginner Agility class designed for adult dogs as well as 12-month-old puppies, and has lots of exercises and short courses to work. Handlers training alone will benefit from this book, as well as instructors planning classes.
Designed to follow Volume I: Agility Training for Puppies.
The book is 9" x 10"H softcover with a spiral binding so that it lies flat.
