Teaching weaves poles is a great way to introduce new dogs to the weaver pole game. The poles are lightweight, easy to move and store, and they work well with dogs who are not yet confident on weaves. They can also be used for weave practice, but are not as stable as regular weave poles.
Teach the dog to go around the pole by placing it on the ground. Put a treat on top of the pole and encourage your dog to go around it by saying “around” or “under” as they pass under or over the pole. Once they have mastered this, place two poles next to each other with treats placed around them. Again, encourage your dog by saying “around” or “under” as they go through each one. Once they have mastered this step, start adding more poles until you have a row of four or five poles that are spaced far enough apart so that only one dog can fit between them at a time.
Then add weave poles into this row by placing them between two poles in such a way that there is space left over after each weave pole (i.e., an open space exists between each weave pole).
Weave poles for dogs are easy to use and adjust. They are available in six and twelve-pole sets. They are also available in red and blue for better contrast with dogs’ eyes. Dogs do not have the best color vision and can crash into poles if they can’t distinguish between red and blue.
Push/pull method
When teaching weave poles, it is important to remember that dogs are easily distracted by their handlers. It is important to be in the same position as your dog, and use a firm, consistent hand position. This will ensure that you can effectively teach your dog to weave without losing your focus.
As the dog gains confidence and competence, increase lateral distance. Many people choose to handle their dog fairly close to the weave poles. This is a mistake because handling a dog this close to the poles is counterproductive. It is better to test your dog’s lateral distance first. You can do this by setting your handler’s line off the poles, ensuring that it is parallel to the ground.
Another method for teaching weave poles is known as the 2×2 method. The two sets of poles are separated by 18 inches. As your dog approaches the poles, you must slow down to guide the dog’s head through each one. Be careful not to scratch the dog’s head, as this can break his concentration and lead to disqualification.
Aside from the push/pull method, you can also teach your dog to weave poles using an on-side approach. By doing this, your dog will avoid the “leg” error and focus on the obstacle instead of you. This will allow you to move more freely.
Using a push/pull method to teach weave poles is a proven training method. By using verbal cues to encourage your dog to twist pole-to-pole, you can develop his weaving behavior by using this simple technique. It requires patience, but can work for months.
Exercise 2 Setup
If you are training your dog to compete in agility competitions, you will need to learn how to train him to weave through poles. This exercise will help him develop agility skills as well as mental engagement and obedience. It will also help your dog develop his speed and obedience. In this article, you will learn how to teach weave poles through a series of exercises.
The second exercise focuses on advancing the collection into the weave poles at a speed. Begin by running your dog to location 1 (21′ from the first pole) and then practice jumping from that location to location 2. Be sure to use the same route to make the jump. The dog should stay on the side of the handler while running into each pole.
Another great exercise is to use two sets of poles. You can set the poles wide and narrow to match your dog’s skill level. Also, use contrasting colors to make them easy to spot. If you want to create a more complex course, you can combine multiple weaves.
After practicing these exercises consistently every day, your dog can finally learn to weave through poles at a steady pace. It will take about two to three months for your dog to be able to weave solidly. During this period, the dog will need to finish growing and be of proper weight.
Rewarding your dog for working away from you
Rewarding your dog for working away from your body is one of the most crucial aspects of teaching your dog weave poles. Although many agility courses include rewards, relying solely on food rewards will slow your dog’s progress. Instead, use treats and enthusiastic praise as incentives.
To start with, hold a treat in front of your dog’s snout and guide him through the weave poles. Then, only reward him when he successfully completes the maneuver. Continue doing this until your dog has the hang of it. As your dog becomes more confident, you can use a hand signal to guide him through the weave poles.
After your dog is comfortable with weaving with poles, you can start to add a third set. When your dog finishes all the poles, reward him with a toy. Then, you can gradually fade out the middle treats. The aim is to have your dog weave all twelve poles.
Another key to successful weaving is rewarding your dog for working away from you. Rewarding your dog when he works away from you is a very important part of teaching your dog independence. Using treats to encourage him to look forward when he’s not near you will make the activity more fun for him.
If your dog tries to steal the motivator, you should remove it from his mouth. You can use food or another object as a reward, and reward him with a neutral voice. If your dog gets caught, you can put him in a crate or a confined area until he turns back towards you.
Introducing your dog to the mid-line of the poles
Introducing your dog to the mid-line will help your dog understand what the weave poles look like. The weave poles begin wide and gradually narrow in width. In order to introduce your dog to this new area, start by introducing him to the poles while on a leash. The leash will help him stay in the correct position and prevent errors. Once he understands the layout of the weave poles, you can switch to an off-leash training session.
Another technique involves breaking the weave poles into three sets of two. Start by introducing your dog to the mid-line of one set and then introducing him to the middle pair. Gradually work him through both sets until he can drive between the poles. This will develop his drive. You can then move the poles a bit into the weave line to build on this foundation.
Another technique for introducing your dog to the weave poles is to use the “push-pull” method. This technique involves lures and a push-pull action by which the handler pushes the dog away from the poles and pulls it toward it. This method works well with slanted poles as well. Some handlers also use repetitions of the word “weave” as the dog is guided through the obstacle.
When introducing your dog to the mid-line of the weaving poles, it is important to remember that he can’t be inside the turn pole. A V-set allows your dog to maintain focus on the obstacle longer and helps you avoid call-offs. This training method is also useful for learning the course and preparing your handling strategy.
Avoiding repetitions
When you first begin teaching weave poles to your dog, it is important to start with the right setup. To make it easier to teach, position the poles at an angle. This will make the obstacle seem more simple and less intimidating. Then, lure your dog with treats and a favorite toy. Then, slowly move toward the poles, lowering the distance between the poles and the dog.
You can set up the poles in your living room, but you should not make the dog jump between the poles. This is because fast weaving puts enormous strain on the spine. It is also important to wait until your dog has finished growing before you begin teaching him to weave. Otherwise, he can be very injured and his agility career might be over. In addition, your dog should be in good health and weight before you begin teaching weave poles.
A weave pole obstacle course should consist of at least six poles. You should place them 24″ apart. Be sure to use carriage bolts to secure the PVC plugs. You can also install self-watering spikes on the bottom of the poles. Regardless of the type of weave poles you use, make sure they are stable and safe.
Unlike most tricks, weaving poles are more difficult to teach and can take several weeks to master. However, if you teach a guinea pig only three or four poles at a time, the training time will be considerably reduced. It is also important to choose a good set of equipment for the trial. If the obstacles are not up to scratch, your dog will fear them and won’t be able to perform on them. A quality benchmark obstacle will induce an equally impressive performance.