The Mifflin County Dog Training Club

The Importance Of "SET UPs"

Written by graydogs
Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Have you ever stood at the obedience ring and watched a dog and handler team seem to dance in the ring together?  The ones that seem so connected and fluid?  If you have you will have to agree that it is poetry in motion.

Training for competitive obedience or agility is time consuming for those of us that aspire to score in the upper 3rd of the class, if not in the placements.  One thing that most if not all of the top competitors will tell you is that your set up is the most important part of the test.  If you do not have your dog with you, and attentive to you, from the moment you step in that ring and set up for the first exercise, you will probably have a disappointing and frustrating run.  You can be ahead of the game by teaching your dog a good set up which can be accomplished in a week or two.

So what is a set up?  For obedience it is getting your dog in heel position and ready to work.  I would say the same thing for agility although you may not need your dog to get in to heel position, that is all dependent on how you like your dog to start their agility run.  To teach the obedience set up I like to use a treat, a really YUMMY treat, and I basically show the dog how to get in to heel position (set up).  I also use a command, in my case it is "get close" but you can use what you want.  Show, or lure, the dog in to position (BTW, use your left hand since heel position is on the left and you want your dog straight) and when they get there you will praise and treat.  Remember to praise first and then treat.  And make it a game, see how fast your dog will get in to position for you.  Treat each and every set up so that the dog gets there quickly and smartly.  Not only will it look neat when your dog snaps in to position, but it will save time in the ring and help to keep both of you connected.

I'll do a quick write up on ways of staying connected with your dog in the ring.  Watch those successful competitors and take note of how they are always connected to their dogs.  In the meantime get out and train!  Dogs (and handlers) are never too young or too old to learn!