BusyDog

Warm-ups

One topic that is seldom discussed in agility schools is what to do with your dog before and after a run. Most agility training is focused solely on what happens in the ring. However, what happens before your run and after your run, can have a big impact on your results for that day.

My ‘warm up routine’ is what I do to prepare my dog for a run. My ‘cool down routine’ is what I do with my dog after a run. I consider both of these to be very important to my immediate and long-term success in the agility arena.

I always do some form of warm up routine with my dogs before going into the ring. My warm up routine achieves the following goals:
1. It focuses our attention on the upcoming course. Most dogs have been napping in their crates and can ‘forget’ why they are there. A warm up routine reminds them that they are there to do agility and they have the chance to earn some cookies.
2. It gives my dog a chance to potty. We want to avoid any accidents in the ring.
3. Warming up a dog’s muscles before a run can help to reduce injuries and can maximize his performance.
4. It gives me a chance to bond with my dog and build our relationship before going into the ring. (This is especially true if I’m running someone else’s dog.)

My warm up routine varies with each of my dogs. Some need more time, some less. With one of my dogs, the more you work and reward him, the sharper he gets. With another, he gets bored after a few minutes. So you have to find a routine that works for your dog. Don’t worry if your routine doesn’t match the local expert’s routine. It should be designed with your dog’s needs, skill level and temperament in mind.

The first thing I do is give my dog a chance to go potty. (Don’t forget poop bags!) Next, I like to take a leisurely stroll around the ring. My dog is allowed to look at whatever he wants and not pay strict attention to me during this time. (However, I don’t go as far as visiting other dogs during this time. That is a bit too distracting.) I want my dog to take in all the sights and smells from all angles of the ring.

Walking around also gives the dog a chance to stretch his muscles a little bit. Some people throw a ball for their dog, some people take them for a little run. I usually walk briskly. If it’s chilly out, I might jog a little bit. This has the added benefit of getting my blood flowing too!

If time allows, I sit ringside with my dog and play little games or scratch his head. My attention is always focused on the dog. This gives us a little ‘together’ time. While walking your dog around (or even sitting), please keep an eye on your dog at all times. If you are walking through a crowded area, do not allow your dog to be at the end of the leash disrupting other competitors and their dogs. They are working on their warm up and probably don’t want to be distracted. In addition, it is distracting to your dog (especially those intact males who are trying to get phone numbers of all the cute girls!)

If you have an older dog or one that has some injuries, you might want to give them a little massage while you are waiting for your run. I will include extra time in my warm up routine to include a massage for dogs that I know are tight.

It is important to check in with the gate steward and know what dogs run before you. How many dogs are before you? Plan your time so you start your warm up according to how many dogs are ahead of you and how much time you need. If you need 5 minutes of warm up time, start your warm up routine 8 – 10 dogs in advance (if a regular class, if jumpers, you might need more dogs.) Countless times, I have seen competitors who are ambling around the ring, not paying attention. When the gatekeeper shouts their name, they are surprised to hear they are on deck. They rush to the ring, completely unprepared. The dog is confused and the handler is flustered. Usually, their run reflects this. Try not be caught off guard. You paid good money for that run. You owe it to yourself and your dog to be prepared.

After one more check with the running order to make sure there are no last minute scratches or move ups, I will go to the practice jump and work on our warm up routine. My routine varies with what class I’m about to run. If we are about to run gamblers, I work on ‘outs’ and ‘sending’. If we are about to run a tight jumpers course, I will work on attention work and wrapping tight around the jump. If I plan to do a lead out, I will do several sit stays. I tailor each warm up to help us prepare for the challenges that lie in the upcoming course.

I try to make my warm up easy for my dog. The practice jump (or weaves) is not the place to work on training issues. If your dog is having a training issue, you might not be ready to show, or you might have to readjust your expectations for the outcome of the run. (For example, if you ask for a skill three times at the practice jump and your dog doesn’t succeed, your dog might not be ready for the challenge.) I want my dog to be confident and happy about working with me. So I start with some easy skills to make my dog think he’s brilliant. Then we work on the more difficult ones. I always end on a good note and keep the sessions no longer than a few minutes.

Since I run multiple dogs, I often have to warm up several at the same time. Instead of giving the first dog a nice long warm up and yanking the rest out of their crate, I work with all of them before the class. I potty and walk them all together. Then I usually ask people sitting ringside to hold one while I work the others. Some people crate ring-side and don’t have this problem. I prefer to crate my dogs in my car when possible. I feel that it is less stressful to be in a quiet and familiar place than sitting ring-side with all the commotion going on. It does require that I walk back and forth more though.

With good planning and some luck, my dog and I are prepared to run when it is our turn. If I have to wait for a few dogs before me, I will stand near the in gate and ask my dog to do tricks. I want to keep his attention focused on me and keep his mind on working. I also keep my attention focused on my dog. It’s the least I can do if I require that he focus on me. I do not use this opportunity to talk to my friends about the course. I don’t want to lose the connection with my dog that I have just built.

When it’s our turn, I enter the ring, take a deep breath and start my run. If things don’t go as planned, I try to make a mental note for training ideas. (This includes my handling skills as well!)

When the run is finished and my dog is on leash again, we immediately run to get a treat. If we didn’t qualify but most of the course was nice, I still give my dog a reward. I always reward my dogs for trying regardless of the outcome. I want them to like going into the ring. One of my pet peeves are handlers whose dog tried hard on course and the handler doesn’t acknowledge it until after they discussed the run in detail with all their friends. If the reward comes several minutes after the performance, how will the dog know that running the course earned him a cookie? Dogs benefit from consistent and immediate feedback.

If my dog didn’t try at all and wasn’t ‘there’, I get the cookies and return to the practice jump. I ask my dog to do a few easy things requiring his attention and then give him the reward. I always want my dog to be successful but once in awhile, it takes some creativity. If I have an occasional disaster run, I just chalk it up to ‘stuff happens’. But if disaster runs become the norm, then most likely there is a hole in my training and I need to address the problems at home before this dog is ready to return to the ring.

If I am running multiple dogs, I will switch dogs after the current one has received his reward. I don’t put the dogs back into their crates immediately following their run though. Once all of my dogs have run in a particular class, I take all of them on a walk to cool down. A walk helps their muscles stay loose and gets rid of any lactic acid buildup. Also, it’s a nice treat for a job well done in the ring.

If possible, after the walk, I will sit quietly with my dog(s) and give them a little massage or just let them hang out. Then I return them to their crates where they can rest until the next run.

If you are consistent with your warm up and cool down routines, your dog will begin to understand when it’s time to pay attention and when he’s allowed to visit. However, you must be consistent when you require attention versus when the dog is allowed to just relax. In addition, by having times during the trial when all your attention is focused on your dog, you can continue to build your relationship. And finally, warming up and cooling down can help avoid injuries and extend the competitive life of your canine athlete.