| There are many methods to teach dogs how to | | | | little in this stage. This is all right, he |
| weave. Having attended a variety of agility | | | | is thinking more and feeling the weaves |
| camps and agility seminars, I've seen quite a | | | | against him for the first time. |
| few of the top handlers present their | | | | |
| preferred method of weave training. Their | | | | You are still using your Stay at one end of |
| training techniques vary,but the one thing | | | | the weaves, leaving your dog and going to the |
| they do have in common, the end result, their | | | | other end of the weaves and calling him |
| dogs all weave fast and efficiently. | | | | through. Make sure your dog is successfully |
| | | | coming to you through the weave path, not |
| The Weave Chute is one method of training | | | | jumping over the guide wires and running to |
| weaves. The Weave Chute is a structure where | | | | you. If this happens replace him. If it |
| the weave poles pull apart and the dog runs | | | | happens again, go back and open the weave |
| down the middle channel. The weave poles are | | | | chute a little more. Practice until he can |
| setup on a base either PVC or metal, the even | | | | come to you down the weave chute with 70% to |
| number poles pull back to the same side and | | | | 80% accuracy, not many of us are 100% right |
| the odd numbered poles pull apart to the same | | | | in everything we try. Begin moving the weave |
| side. The poles are brought closer together, | | | | poles closer together in inches now. Most |
| training a chain of sessions, until the weave | | | | dogs do well even if the weaves are off set |
| poles are in a straight line. | | | | by one inch , but somehow when they are setup |
| | | | in a line, they must look different and |
| To start, the weave poles are about 3 feet | | | | training sessions may seem stalled for |
| apart. Set your dog on a Stay (Sit, Down, or | | | | awhile. Be patient, practice with your |
| Stand). Leave your dog and go to the other | | | | weaves offset by one inch then in a straight |
| end of the chute or channel. Call your dog, | | | | line, if you encounter problems, go back to |
| allow them to run as fast as they can through | | | | the one inch offset. Your dog will soon |
| the chute, when they get near you through a | | | | realize he can weave when the poles are in a |
| toy straight ahead or between your legs. You | | | | straight line. |
| want them to keep moving past you and not | | | | |
| slow up as they get near you. | | | | The next transition is taking off the guide |
| | | | wires. With 12 poles, you use 10 guide |
| Move the weaves closer together, try 2 feet | | | | wires. The first guide wires I remove are |
| for a few sessions, then 1 foot apart for a | | | | from the middle. The last ones to be removed |
| few sessions. When the weaves are about 1 | | | | are the entry and exit guide wires. Weaving |
| foot apart your dog will begin to actually | | | | is mentally challenging to you and your dog, |
| begin the weaving behavior, depending on the | | | | so be patient with your dog and yourself. Be |
| size of your dog of course. This is the | | | | prepared to put in a few long months of |
| stage to add guide wires. The guide wires | | | | training to get those fast and efficient |
| help the dog stay on path through the weaves. | | | | weaves. |
| Your dogs speed will most likely slow a | | | | |