Susan Garrett $5 Certainty Challenges

07 Jan 2010Steve Schwarz

Two weeks ago Susan Garrett posted a $5 Certainty Challenge, where she challenges handlers to get to the crux of their dog’s stress issues. I think her approach is certainly sound and will determine where a handler with a dog that stresses low (sniffing, avoidance) or high (zoomies) needs to “spend” their efforts to improve the situation for their dogs.

So the first step is to collect five weave challenges, five contact challenges and five handling challenges from 3 or more agility instructors. I decided to take a look through my course posts and see if I could contribute to this project. So here’s what I’ve found:

Weave Challenges

1. Dana Pike Evil Weave Entry one of my favorites, the sequence leading up to the weave entrance is straight forward but the off course tunnel at the weaves is fun.
2. My Collection of Challenging Weave Entry Drills
3. Broad Jump 180 to weave entry This was a lot of fun
4. Some great Dana Pike weave entry challenges
5. 90 degree contact to weave entrances, this was an issue I had with Meeker
6. Rear Cross to 90 degree On Side Weave Entrance, again this was an issue for us

Contact Challenges

1. Rear Cross to Contact/Tunnel Discrimination
2. Double Tunnel Contact Discriminations also includes "teeter to nowhere" challenge. Three sequences for one setup.

Handling Challenges

Most of these courses also have weave entrance and/or contact discrimination challenges.</p.

1. Three sequences on one setup with good smorgasbord of handling challenges and options
2. Five sequences on one backyard setup with Threadles Mary Ellen Barry on Threadle HandlingThe Connection Between Threadles and Back SidesSingle Sided Threadle HandlingTraditional Threadle HandlingThreadle Sequence, Serpentines Serpentine Handling TechniquesSerpentine Sequence, 270 Handling 270 Degree Jump SequencesBack Side Entry to 270/Training Opportunity - Video270 Degree Jump Sequence and on/off side weave entrances
3. A challenging Dana Pike course with everything in it.
4. A Dana Pike seminar course, take a look at the weave entry and the closing...
5. Another challenging Dana Pike course

I hope anyone looking for challenging courses finds these helpful.

If you enjoyed this article won't you please: Thanks!

Related Articles:

• Susan Garrett Blog
• Some Fun Challenges to Practice
• Dana Pike Weave Entry/Exit, Straight Tunnel Challenges
• Frank Holik Masters Challenges Jumpers - Video
• Weave Pole Entrance Challenges
• Kathy Keats' World Championship Challenges - Video