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Lesson Eleven - Long or Broad Jump
THE
COMMAND—Same as in Lesson No.
10—OVER The execution of this
exercise, which is related to the high
jump, is identical with that of the previous lesson, except that a
trench about one foot deep is used. Naturally trenches cannot be dug
indoors, nor outdoors either without ruining lawns and yards,
consequently boards will serve the purpose if built up to a height of
about one foot. It is advisable in the beginning to use two boards
placed closely together. As the dog has become accustomed to the
command OVER, he will follow the guide without difficulty when the
latter steps over the board obstacle and at the same time issues the
command.
Walk over the obstacle again, then next time pass around it, commanding
the dog to jump in the same manner at that employed in executing the
high jump. As soon as the dog has learned to make the jump without
touching the boards, widen the space between them to about six inches.
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Two boards are used in the
beginning, with more
added gradually. |
Placing
the boards upright as shown will
prevent the dog from
stepping on them as he goes over. |
CORRECT:
SIT-STAY in front of boards.
OVER
When
the dog has learned to clear this jump correctly, gradually increase the distance
between the boards to two or three feet until finally, for a dog of
medium size, the limit of the six-foot breadth is reached. The space
between the boards of course should vary in proportion to the size of
the dog, but should never exceed six feet. What is more, additional
boards will be needed, when extending the distance, to prevent the dog
from landing between them.
Guide beside the
board as required in dog-shows.
Occasionally the dog
will clear the jump successfully but will step on the boards. This is
not considered a clean jump and must be prevented. If the fault
continues, place the boards sidewise, instead of flat, in order to
provide as little surface as possible for the dog to step on. Execute
the lesson at a rapid pace. The limit distance of six feet should
not be used in the beginning, for the temptation to step on the boards
will prove too much and the dog may for that reason alone develop into
an "unclean" jumper.
This lesson may be used in connection with previous exercises, at no
definite point in the exercises but started before the dog has grown
tired. With this much experience behind him, the guide should be able
to recognize signs of weariness in his dog: he should be able to sense
aversion to the exercise brought about possibly by overexertion.
To complete the exercise, the guide should stop in front of the board,
the dog sitting at his left. At the command OVER, the dog should jump,
then return to the sitting position before him. At the command HEEL he
should swing to the guide's left or into the original position.
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