BOUNCE - BRONZE

Having completed Starters, the dog is now able to do Bounce from the box area 51ft/15.3m from the finish poles), jump the four flyball jumps set approximately 10ft/3m apart, and return through the finish poles to its handler for its motivator.

Bronze level concentrates on training the dog to consistently do Bounce correctly while also teaching the dog to do the Game pointing in different directions. The handler raises his expectations of what he wants the dog to do, while the dog gains a deeper understanding of what is expected of it through thorough training methods. This is also the stage where the dogs become accustomed to jumping the jumps with 10ft/3m spacing between them, and the jump nearest the poles being 6ft/1.8m away.

It is tempting to rush dogs through their basic training in our eagerness to show how clever our dogs can be. However, in the early stages of training an exercise many dogs are accidentally doing it correctly. This can be because of coincidence; because it is watching the handler's unconscious body movements (ie not necessarily those chosen by the handler to be the visual commands for the exercise); or because it has associated the environment with the exercise rather than the handler's visual and spoken commands, so that the dog cannot understand what is required from it when asked to do the exercise in a new direction or location. The Bronze stage helps overcome these difficulties.

Having successfully achieved a certificate in Bronze, a dog must not attempt another Bronze certificate for at least an hour (it is preferable that the stages should be done on different days so that the handler and trainer can check whether the dog has really learnt and understood the Game). Combining this time delay with turning the Bounce lane round so that the dog has to run in a different direction, helps to reinforce the exercise for handler and dog.

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 1st certificate
Dog does restrained recall 51ft/15.3m from poles and over all four jumps at 10ft/3m spacing - but in the opposite direction from the one done in Starters. As with all Dog-Games, the handler must instantly reward the dog with its motivator while holding its harness. A Certificate will be awarded for doing 5 correct runs in a row with no errors in the training session. The dog can then progress to the 2nd certificate.

Change the layout of the Bounce training area (making new marks for the poles and box area) so that the dog runs in the opposite direction to that done in Starters.

We will repeat and build on what was taught in Starters - allow the dog to explore the environment, then the helper takes the dog in a wide curve past the poles and the first jump. He sets up the dog to do Bounce approximately 7-8ft/2-2.5m from the poles (ie a foot or two behind the jump).

Once the dog has successfully and repeatedly done Bounce over the first jump, the helper may progress the dog further back to include jumps 2, 3 and eventually 4 - all 10ft/3m apart. However, do not be surprised if the dog makes a mistake doing Bounce in this new location/direction - dogs have a very strong sense of location when learning a behaviour, and do not necessarily understand that the behaviour can be done pointing in a different direction. This is why these training sessions are so thorough. This stage will take longer than was needed to teach Recall - this is because there is the added challenge to the dog of whether it jumps the flyball jumps or not. Do not get frustrated at this slower pace, it is quite normal and will mean that the dog has thoroughly learnt each stage.

Training and test for 2nd Certificate
Dog does restrained recall 51ft/15.3m from poles and over all four jumps at 10ft/3m spacing - but in the opposite direction from the 1st certificate, or in a new part of the training area, or at a new training venue. As with all Dog-Games, the handler must instantly reward the dog with its motivator while holding its harness. A Certificate will be awarded for doing 5 correct runs in a row with no errors in the training session. The dog can then progress to the 3rd certificate.

Either use the lane and direction used for Starters, or relocate the training area to another part of the venue. Remember to mark out the positions of the poles, and the jump and box locations.

Training and test for 3rd Certificate
Dog does restrained recall 51ft/15.3m from poles and over all four jumps at 10ft/3m spacing - but in the opposite direction to the 2nd certificate. As with all Dog-Games, the handler must instantly reward the dog with its motivator while holding its harness. A Certificate will be awarded for doing 5 correct runs in a row with no errors in the training session.

Rotate the lane from the 2nd certificate so that the Bounce lane is in the opposite direction (remembering to mark the new locations of the poles and box)

The dog has now earned its Bronze Bounce rosette. 

The dog can now progress on to Silver Bounce

*With each certificate, please send in your Dog-Games Main Entry Form giving the details of where and when you passed the Bronze Bounce 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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