Have a "Delay of Game" ritual/tricks.
10 Dec 2024
Have a “Delay of Game” ritual/tricks. Sometimes you’ll get in the ring be setup at the first obstacle ready run and the timer won’t be ready to release you. Maybe some equipment isn’t set correctly, the judge has to fix a score, talk to the prior competitor, etc. You need a way to keep your dog engaged with you.
Here are some tips:
- Move away from the first obstacle. You don’t your dog to take the first obstacle before being released by the timer.
- If you haven’t given your leash to the runner yet, keep your dog on leash to avoid taking an obstacle inadvertently.
- For long delays you may want to leave the ring. But generally, I stay in the ring.
You want whatever tricks you do to keep your dog engaged with you and also at the appropriate arousal level (some dogs you want/need to keep “up” and other you want to keep “calm”). Obviously, you want to ask for tricks your dog likes to do! Here are some ideas:
- leash tug
- heeling in a circle
- backing up
- spin in circles each direction
- figure eight around your legs
- nose touches
- sit to down to stand
- walking sideways
Any of your dog’s on the flat warm up activities are good choices!
Here are Snap! and I caught by Barking Dog Images doing hand touches during a delay at the US Open:
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