A BRIEF HISTORY AND HOW TO PRODUCE RESULTS
A successful Big Air dog can result from many different things such as physical genetics, psychological genetics, environment, training, and the ability to interact with the handler. Training is best achieved through a structured program that includes strength, conditioning, desire work, and technique work. Once of the most effective tools in training is the use of positive reinforcement. The idea being, the dog does something good they get rewarded. Correction or use of negative reinforcement can be effective tools in other arenas such and Hunt Tests, Retriever Trials and Obedience, but is not effective in Big Air training. Big Air is all about a positive release of energy. Correction or negative reinforcement will only diminish that energy.
Trainers and Handlers have quite the task at hand when it comes down to rewarding a dog in Big Air. You see, in order for positive reinforcement to be effective in dog training, it must be applied immediately after the action. Applying positive reinforcement when a dog is swimming 20+ feet out in the water can be a difficult task. Sure we can jump up and down on the dock and yell “Good doggie” as the dog swims back in. Sure we can give lots of “At-a-Boys” after they’ve retrieved the object. But, by that time the Jump is long gone in the dogs mind. The reward needs to be instantaneous.
After many hours of soul searching I have determined that the object itself can act as a very good reward. If the desire for the object is trained correctly, the object can reward an action as well as anything, including food.
Extreme Vertical began as a training method for Big Air. The concept was built based on the object being the reward. The idea was simple, Jump Big or no reward. If we could somehow suspend the object out away from the dock, over the water, and have to dog jump after it and catch it, they would be instantaneously rewarded. If they don’t jump hard enough they don’t get their reward.
To be successful in training for E.V. we must build confidence. We use the same progress we use in Big Air training and all other dog training. We start short, close and simple. We slowly progress to height, distance, and difficulty. We start on Dry Land and progress through the Shore Line to the Dock. If at any time the dog struggles take a step back and repeat until the dog is confident. That’s what it’s all about, building the confidence.
Object selection:
Choose an object that will work for E.V. The object should be something that can be suspended in the air at both ends. Preferably an object that has strings or ropes on both ends that allows it to be attached to a fixed pole.
Object training:
Once you have chosen the appropriate object, it’s time to build the desire for that object, just as you would for Big Air. The idea here is to get your dog lunging after the object. Put your dog in a sit/stay, hold the object eye level in front of the dog and release him to get it. Here’s the key… Hold the object by the strings. This will initiate that confidence of grabbing the object while suspended.
Pole training:
The next step is to suspend the object from a short pole. Any pole will work. A broom handle will work well for this. This should be done only if you are confident your dog is grabbing the object from hand with confidence. Remember to keep the object at eye level when jumping on dry land.
If everything is working well on dry land, it’s time to take it the shore line. The idea here is to build confidence grabbing the object off a short pole while landing in the water. Remember, shore line helps prevent the dogs head from going under the water which can diminish the confidence.
Dock Pole training:
Start where you left off on Shore Line. No higher than eye level. Start your dog one stride back. When you are confident your dog is grabbing with confidence you can progress out and up.
Dock Extender training:
Eventually you will want to fix the pole to the dock to allow freedom to simulate competitive environment. Your movements and dock positioning are important here. You’ll want to simulate a competitive dock environment so when the time comes your dog will be comfortable with your position and movements.
Summary:
Remember E.V. is about Height. Big Air is all about Distance. Your dogs start position will be much different in E.V. than it will be in Big Air. In order for a dog to get height, the speed must significantly reduce. The best way to reduce speed is to shorten up the run. The object in E.V. is 8’ out from the end of the dock. You’ll want your dogs Arc Peak (that’s his maximum height) to be 8’ out from the dock. It may take some time to determine where the start position will be to obtain maximum height at 8’ out.
Good Luck and Keep’m Jumpin’
Tom A Dropik
SportMutt Inc.
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