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Dog Agility Tire Jump
Your Aussie is Gonna Love Jumping Through Hoops For You With
the Dog Agility Tire Jump
The tire jump is an optional
obstacle in ASCA
agility competitions. If you are interested in training your Aussie
with these jumps extra care must be taken to ensure safety.
It is preferable to have a tire that is easily displaced in case
it is hit by your dog during the jump. The tire is usually made
of plastic drainpipe material and can be filled with foam. The
important thing is to make sure it is lightweight enough that
it would not injure your dog. Competition equipment requires the
tire to displace in case of impact.
Ideally the tire would be constructed in separate pieces so if
it were struck the top or bottom of the tire would simply break
away.
So although it is called a "tire" jump you wouldn't
actually want to use a real tire. It would be too heavy.
Approaches to the tire jump should be straight and clear of hazards.
The inner diameter of the tire should be 18 to 24 inches. Jump
heights measured from the ground to the lowest part of the inside
of the bottom of the tire are 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 inches.
A couple of other safety issues to keep in mind are related to
the frame that holds the tire in place. It should not be so close
to the tire as to not allow any give and not so far that there
is enough room for your dog to fit between the tire and the frame.
ASCA agility rules specify this space should be at least 8 inches.
ASCA agility guidelines also require that there be no frame above
the tire itself.
The tire jump is a popular jump for those interested in setting
up there own agility equipment in their backyard or at a nearby
park or club.
If you are looking for a reasonably
priced tire jump they are available at Affordable Agility.
They have both practice and competition versions. These jumps
would be great for home use and the competion versions meet AKC
and USDAA requirements. (However, the competition model has a
frame over the tire itself which is not permitted in ASCA rules.)
>>>
More info
Agility Tire Jump Training Tips
While training for the tire
jump is similar to other jumps there are some differences.
Jumping through a fairly small opening can be intimidating for
some dogs. So start slow and start low. In fact move the tire
right to the ground when you are just beginning. Let your dog
get used to the idea of going through first.
Gently guide them through the opening and when they do praise
them enthusiastically, give them a treat or use your clicker.
The important thing is to let your dog know what you expect from
them.
Once they are comfortable and confident with going through the
tire at ground level raise it up a bit, not much, just a bit.
You don't want to raise it too fast or your dog will likely just
start running under the tire instead of through it. If
this happens you will have to lower it again maybe even back to
the ground and start over.
Slowly but surely you will reach your target height. They will
eventually sail through the air and will learn exactly how to
clear the tire. Once your dog has reached this level don't lower
the jumping height back down again.
This is because your dog has developed a sense of what she needs
to do to get through the tire and now has "muscle memory"
tuned to the task. If you drop the height your dog may not realize
what you've done until it's too late and could be injured.
Be consistent with your use of command words. Words like tire,
hoop or through make the most sense. Whichever word you choose,
stick with it but don't introduce the command word until they
are comfortable with the tire jump. This goes for other agility
obstacles as well.
This is because you don't want your dog to associate the command
word with something that they are afraid of or leery about doing.
Wait until they are enjoying the obstacle and create a happy association
instead.
Bar Jumps
Tire Jumps
Weave Poles
Teeter Totters / See-Saw
Tunnels
Tables
A-Frames
Dog Walks / Contacts
>>> Dog
Agility Equipment Index
>>> Dog
Agility Equipment Guide
>>> Free
Dog Agility Equipment Plans
>>> Dog
Agility Training
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