The sport of Big Air is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s getting more media attention and dogs are jumping farther and farther every day. The sport is also bringing out more and more new handlers and dogs. As SportMutt continues to travel the country observing and helping people get involved, we’ve noticed handlers using a technique that is commonly described as “what top handlers do.” Very often we hear “I see the big jumpers use it, so I figured it must be the technique to use.” This technique is commonly known in the industry as ”The Chase.”

First of all, let’s get a good understanding of what this technique is and why it is so common among the top handlers. There are three aspects to a successful Big Air jump: Speed, Lift, and the Ability to Hit the End of the Dock. ”The Chase” is a technique that helps ensure the dog gets that ever elusive Lift. The idea is to set the dog at the start point, the handler stands at the jump point, the handler releases the dog and times the throw so the dog will Chase the object at the moment the dog jumps. The purpose is for the dog to jump up and out after the object, thus getting the Lift. The motivation for the dog is to try and catch the object. It’s that simple.

The sport of Big Air is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s getting more media attention and dogs are jumping farther and farther every day. The sport is also bringing out more and more new handlers and dogs. As SportMutt continues to travel the country observing and helping people get involved, we’ve noticed handlers using a technique that is commonly described as “what top handlers do.” Very often we hear “I see the big jumpers use it, so I figured it must be the technique to use.” This technique is commonly known in the industry as ”The Chase.”

First of all, let’s get a good understanding of what this technique is and why it is so common among the top handlers. There are three aspects to a successful Big Air jump: Speed, Lift, and the Ability to Hit the End of the Dock. ”The Chase” is a technique that helps ensure the dog gets that ever elusive Lift. The idea is to set the dog at the start point, the handler stands at the jump point, the handler releases the dog and times the throw so the dog will Chase the object at the moment the dog jumps. The purpose is for the dog to jump up and out after the object, thus getting the Lift. The motivation for the dog is to try and catch the object. It’s that simple.