The main methods of training
weaves
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By Lesley Harpley
Reviewed by John Leslie |
Description:
As
Lesley Harpley points out, the weaves are the one piece of agility equipment that can't easily
be learned by practising just one day a week at your club. And in competition, a good weave
technique can make the difference between a top place and no place at all. The answer is to get
some cheap plastic piping, about 24 feet of level ground - and a copy of this book!
Covering all the main methods of training your dog to weave, and full of tips and tricks, this
compact self-help guide is aimed at handlers teaching young dogs to weave for the first time,
but is equally useful for the many handlers who know they could improve their dog's weave speed
and accuracy.
The aim
is for your dog to learn to weave on its own, fast, from either side, and from almost any
angle.
Contents include:-
·
How to train
using each of the three most common techniques:
o
Steering
o
'V' weaves
o
Channel weaves
·
Principles and
purposes of the various techniques, with advantages and disadvantages for each
·
Combining
techniques, training weave entries, back chaining
·
Do's and Don'ts
·
Practical Tips -
such as options to speed up slow weaves; the use of encouragement and noises;
trouble-shooting missed poles.
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A5 booklet
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Best features:
This booklet is full
of practical, down to earth advice based on experience. It avoids the danger of being too
pedantic about one technique - instead it recognises from the start that all dogs (and
handlers) are different and that the best technique is the one that works for YOU! So there is
detailed guidance and help on using and progressing through each of the main types of weave
training, and help on what to do when things start to go wrong.
Could be improved:
Perhaps there might have
been more illustrations and they might have been a
little clearer at first sight. And there is so much information and advice packed into a short,
easy-to-read text, that it's possible to simply miss some of the best bits first time round.
This is definitely a book to read and re-read.
Presentation,
design & format:
A5 stapled booklet to keep
production costs down.
Overall rating:
9/10.
Ideal for Starters but also those with new and different dogs.
Price:
£3.00 - all proceeds go to support
the Chilterns Dog Rescue Society and the book was produced with the sponsorship of Elsevier -
International Scientific, Technical and Medical Publishers.
Value for money:
Worth every penny, plus it's for a
good cause! All proceeds are for Chiltern Dog Rescue Society which does an outstanding job of
rehoming dogs, often into agility homes.
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Please send an A5 sized SAE and
cheque payable to The Chilterns Dog Rescue Society to:
Lesley Harpley, PO Box 809, Tring, Herts, HP23 5UX
or see her at shows with a cheque or cash. |
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About the Author
Leslie Harpley is one of the team of Instructors at Aylesbury CTS, where they have a
great variety of rescued and mixed breed dogs as well as some rather lovely pedigree dogs!
She and her husband Colin have had three rescues from the society, Barnaby
(now 14), Tommy and Casey. As Lesley says 'I started writing the notes as an instructors guide
for our club when I heard about the CDRS appeal towards new premises, so it seemed a good way
to help.'
About
the reviewer
John Leslie is a
former financial journalist turned computer and database consultant. He got involved with
Agilitynet in self-defence as he is married to Ellen Rocco. If you can't beat them, join them.
He is currently Schedule Master and trouble-shooter.
He runs a large white Standard Poodle called Bill and a
smaller cream version called Beau. He trains at Watford as well as Trent Park and Whirlwind
where he is on the committee. In addition, he has also is an ACI instructor at Watford.
If you would like to comment on
this book or add your name to the Agilitynet list of reviewers,
email your name and details to Ellen Rocco at
Agilitynet today.
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