Pendulum
Pendulum = Dueling Go Arounds
clockwise then counter clockwise – ending with a leaping catch to the right and left of the handler
This skill is about 4 things:
- hooking up with your dog after the cued drop
- widening the dog’s pattern and opening up the flank
- working both clockwise and counter clock directions
- setting up the interception
Consequent Cue | Drop = Next
working from the drop cue creates flow – dropping on cue makes things happen
Your dog will need to be able to drop the disc early for this skill. (It’s always better to have the drop on cue!) The Cued Drop
A cued Drop, or Drop for short, means that you tell your dog when to drop, purposefully, and upon your discretion. A cued Drop is a must in the game of disc in... is what makes your Go AroundAn Around, or a Go Around is the traditional disc dog set up move. The dog goes around the handler’s body in a clockwise or counter clockwise fashion allowing dog and handler to... cue happen, so teeth off of the disc = Go Around Cue. When the dog realizes that the cued drop makes opportunity happen they will eagerly carry in order to make the game continue via the cued drop.
Make sure that your dog honors your cue before offering the next one. Offering the cue before the previous cue is honored is offering opportunity and can reinforce non-compliance with your cues. Make your cues consequent and leverage the next trick.
Changing Patterns and Setting the Flank
Go Around doesn’t always go where we want it to go. Shift the game from out and back to left and right
The dog will go where the reward happens. Reward placement is a powerful tool. If your dog is taking off like a lunatic, 50 yards down field, you know what I mean. Push the disc out the left and right and your dog will start to release from the go around a bit more sensibly and watch what you are doing. It might take a rep or two (or 30) but your dog will catch on.
Having trouble? Throw early, as soon as your dog commits to the around. It’s really hard for them to ignore the disc if it’s already been released.
Creating Balance & Doubling Performance Potential
working in only one direction is a half opened Christmas present at best and a hand tied behind the back at worst – create balance with a Pendulum
A game that can move in any direction is something handlers should be interested in cultivating. Most players already have the go get it and bring it here – out and back – that linear in and out game, but not much is happening out there to the left and to the right.
The Clockwise and Counter Clockwise arcs are often the blind spot
Spot is a “go to a place”, or “go to a mat” behavior. This means that the dog seeks out and performs a duration behavior on a spot of the handler’s choosing. A... for most disc dog handlers and what a blind spot it is! That is the flank, and that’s where flatwork and reliable team based, cooperative, leaping and catching take place.
Setting Up the Interception for Big Leaping
work off the drop (or from the trained pattern) from the left or right to create an interception opportunity in front of the handler
Once you have established the pattern of releasing to the left or right, you can withhold the throw for a moment. The dog, being out on your left or right, will look at you,”Hey, where’s the disc?”
This sets up a potential interception. Well placed interceptions require leaps. As opposed to chase, the interception is a limited opportunity engagement. There’s one shot, one plan to make the catch happen in an interception – be at the right place at the right time or miss the disc. Chase, on the otherhand offers many opportunities for recovery.
If you deliver a floater about 7-10 yards out in front of you after your dog hooks up with you wondering where the disc is, the dog will have to make a plan in order to intercept it. If you put it in the right place, your dog will have to leap.