Contacts: Bridging the gap between training and competition (DVD)

From Dog Sport Magazine:

Few single behaviors can make or break an agility run like a solid release. Whether at the start line or on a contact obstacle, it’s the release that determines what happens next. Rachel Sanders makes a strong argument for the power of the release as the most important gap between training and trialing, and offers a variety of exercises aimed at ensuring that performance won’t be compromised by a sloppy or premature release.

This is not a start-from-scratch set of instructions; rather, it assumes that the dog can perform independent contacts, has a known verbal release cue and obeys a cue for a moving sit, stand or down. Using four distinct maneuvers (run past, front cross, push past and run-stop-run), and working up through three different speeds (walk, jog, run), Sanders clearly demonstrates how to proof the release and what to do when things go wrong.

The key, according to Sanders, is isolating the release cue from the array of other information available to the dog. To demonstrate the difficulty of this challenge, Sanders has a colleague take the role of the dog, running alongside the dogwalk and slapping the down-side when cued to “target.” Sanders then runs through the exercises, faking out her helper with other words and body language. It’s only when the helper focuses exclusively on the specificity of verbal cues that proper releases can be achieved. This “human contact game” provides a striking illustration of what we’re asking of our dogs.

Working through the variations shown in this DVD will produce solid performance both before and after the release cue is given. By varying what happens just before the release cue is given and selectively rewarding the desired performance, handlers can proof a solid release as well as a solid wait prior to the cue. In turn, this skill will serve teams well in competition by enhancing handling options.
Clear, concise and well supported with subtitles and section summaries, Contacts: Bridging the gap between training and competition would be a worthwhile addition to the library of anyone determined to fine-tune their performance in the ring.