BOUNCE & TOUCH - SILVER

Now that the dog is able to consistently do Bounce & Touch, pointing in any direction at the training venue, the dog is now ready to be introduced to the distraction of other dogs running in an adjacent lane. These distraction dogs can be doing any Dog-Game in the other lane while the learner Bounce & Touch dog is doing sendaways over four jumps to touch the target box with its paw, at various times, depending on which certificate it is attempting.

The introduction of distraction training is very important in any Dog-Game as many dogs (particularly those bred to chase prey or herd animals) have a very strong instinct to chase anything that moves. This instinct is even more heightened when the dog is working and excited, so the dog needs to learn that taking his eyes off the motivator and running to the barrier results in him not being given the motivator and the withdrawal of his handler's attention. The dog soon realises it is far more fun to play the Bounce & Touch Game rather than make a futile attempt at chasing the other dog, which he can never reach due to the netting being used as a barrier between the lanes.

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT A BARRIER, SUCH AS PLASTIC NETTING, BE USED BETWEEN THE TWO DOGS WHEN DOING SILVER. This prevents either dog running into the other's lane and causing it harm if it becomes over-excited or anxious.

You can use either two or three lanes when teaching a dog to do Bounce & Touch Silver. Three lanes is particularly useful as one dog can work in Lane One, the other in Lane Three, and Lane Two can be kept empty. This is because some dogs need to have quite some distance between them and another dog to do Silver, and the empty lane with the two sets of netting between the dogs helps them to cope better with the situation.

TRAINING

See Guidelines for a full explanation of how to set up for success. Ideally the dog should be trained in exactly the same location that it was first taught Recall.

Training and test for Level 1 certificate

Dog does a Bounce & Touch run over four jumps to the target box (which is 51ft from poles) while another dog is doing a Dog-Game in the adjacent lane - both dogs starting at the same time and in the same direction. The handler must only reward their dog if it jumps all the jumps, touches the target box with its paw, and runs through the poles without hesitation or being distracted by the dog in the other lane. A certificate will be awarded for doing 5 correct runs in a row with no errors in the training session.

Set up the two lanes (see diagram) using the first location that the dog learned Bounce & Touch in. As in Touch, try to place the two sets of jumps and poles as far apart as possible so that there is the maximum amount of distance between the two dogs running. This distance can be lessened as the dog becomes accustomed to the presence of the distraction dog.

Training and test for Level 2 certificate

Dog does a Bounce & Touch run over four jumps to the target box (which is 51ft from poles) while another dog is doing a Dog-Game in the adjacent lane - the Bounce & Touch dog will be sent to do its run as the distraction dog is beginning its return from the 51ft marker in the other lane (ie dogs are running in opposite directions). The handler must only reward their dog if it goes over the jumps, touches the target box with its paw, returns over the jumps and through the poles without hesitation or being distracted by the dog in the other lane. A certificate will be awarded for doing 5 correct runs in a row with no errors in the training session.

Set up the two lanes as in Level One but instead of releasing the dogs from the start at the same time, the distraction dog will run first and the learner Bounce & Touch dog should be released the moment the distraction dog begins its run back from the 51ft marker (so that the dogs are running in opposite directions). Take into consideration the difficulties the dog had doing Level One and set the lanes up at a reasonable distance apart.

The location of the lanes in the training venue is not so important at the moment but should be taken into consideration should the dog have difficulties coping with the exercise.

Training and test for Level 3 certificate

Dog does a Bounce & Touch run over four jumps to the target box (which is 51ft from poles) while two or more distraction dogs are doing changeovers in a Dog-Game in the adjacent lane. The handler must only reward their dog if it goes over the jumps, touches the target box with its paw, returns over the jumps and through the poles without hesitation or being distracted by the dog in the other lane. A certificate will be awarded for doing 5 correct runs in a row with no errors in the training session.

Set up the two lanes (see diagram) as in Level One but take in to consideration the difficulties the dog had doing Levels One and Two, setting the lanes up at a reasonable distance apart.

Having gained a certificate at Levels 1, 2 and 3 the dog has now earned its Silver Bounce & Touch rosette.

The dog can now progress on to Gold Bounce & Touch

* With each certificate, please send in your Dog-Games Entry Form giving the details of where and when you passed the Silver Bounce & Touch certificate and with the appropriate fees.

As soon as the Entry Form and fees are received the Dog-Games staff will enter your dog's details on the website Roll of Honour, so that you have a record of its achievements as it progresses through the Dog-Games and your certificate (and your rosette when you gain the third certificate) will be posted to you.

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