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