4-Paws up for book 2 in the Excelling at Dog Agility "series" by Jane Simmons-Moake!This extraordinary guide takes you from beginner to intermediate using easy-to-follow text loaded with pictures, diagrams, and tons of sample exercises. Get started with straight line and simple turn sequences then move at your own pace to distance control and "side-switches." Simmons-Moake is extremely thorough in her method and emphasizes not striving for "good" but for excellence! Her method makes it practically impossible to fail. Some of the important topics in this book are the introduction of distance and control commands, gaining distance with her "distance circles" technique, and how to give correct body cues for accurate performance every time. She also touches on the controversial concept of "correction-free training." To top off a wonderful "curriculum" of doggy schooling, she includes several pages of exercises you can do with just a few obstacles to drill key elements or your dog's weaknesses.
A few other features I really enjoyed:
LOTS of diagrams!
Tips for solving problems like broken start-line stays
Proofing ideas and exercises
An entire chapter on every type of side-switch imaginable! (including rear-cross, front-cross, counter rotations, zig-zags, and more!)
...and for those who are agility instructors or thinking of teaching agility, there are sample lesson plans for a 6-week Beginners class, 8-week Intermediate class, and 6-week Intermediate II class.
I cannot stop praising this book! It has certainly improved the performance of my own dogs and allowed me to progress more quickly with proven techniques. It is the perfect addition to any agility lover's bookshelf!
